StudioCanal hires Sky alum for English-language drama

StudioCanal has hired former Sky Studios exec Paul Gilbert as its senior vice-president of English-language series.

He will lead the development and production of a slate of series hailing from the UK and US, which the French company intends to produce via its recently launched in-house arm.

Gilbert’s remit will also see him work with partner production companies including Urban Myth Films, The Picture Company, SunnyMarch, Strong Film & TV, Birdie Pictures and Brock Media, following its recently announced deal. 

He will be based in London and reports to managing director of TV, MK Kennedy.

Gilbert is already exec producing StudioCanal’s recently announced Channel 4 and Canal+ commissioned political thriller Army of Shadows, as well as Apollo Has Fallen, marking the latest addition to the franchise.

The exec had most recently been a commissioning editor for Sky Studios, executive producing The Lazarus Project and upcoming miniseries Amadeus, as well as A Town Called Malice, Tin Star and The Fear Index.

Before that he produced Mike Bartlett’s journalism series, Press, for the BBC and Masterpiece in the US, and Humans for Channel 4 and AMC.

He was previously head of drama development at Big Talk Productions, and an in-house development producer at BBC Drama Production and BBC Drama Northern Ireland.

Kennedy said Gilbert’s “outstanding taste, sharp story instincts, and deep relationships in the UK creative community make him an invaluable addition to our team.

“He will play a pivotal role in accelerating the growth of our English-language production arm and will provide thought-partnership and support for the producers under the StudioCanal umbrella.”

Gilbert said: “With a growing global appetite for daring, premium English-language TV series, the opportunity to harness that demand through StudioCanal’s unrivalled reputation – and ability to self-produce and finance – is irresistible.

“We want to be a powerhouse of audacious ideas, empowering the best writers, directors and producers to deliver the kind of series that audiences everywhere want to watch and talk about.”