Tuesday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

John Gore restructures as Hilary Strong exits

Hilary Strong is stepping down as chief exec of UK-based John Gore Studios after 18 months in the role.

Her departure was announced this morning as part of a reshaping of theatre impresario John Gore’s business. Former Agatha Christie Ltd chief exec Strong is leaving to explore new opportunities, the company said.

John Gore Studios officially launched in January 2025 with Strong as chief exec and has since invested heavily in backing new films and acquiring film and TV companies.

Its portfolio includes Hammer Films, Icon Film Distribution, Kaleidoscope Film Distribution, Angels Costumes, Deep Fusion, Hilltop Screen, Silver Salt Restoration and Tyburn Films. John Gore Studios will now join with Gore’s US-based theatrical company The John Gore Organization under a single holding company under the executive leadership of Gore.

WildBrain buys AI firm

Canadian children’s firm WildBrain has acquired Personality AI, which specialises in bring character experiences to life through proprietary generative AI.

WildBrain aims to use the platform to expand its global licensing, franchise management, content production and network operations. The company has previously worked on IP including Peppa Pig, allowing children to talk to the show’s characters.

The Canuck firm has paid an initial $11m and one million Wildbrain shares for 100% of Personality AI, with a further $2m payable on the first anniversary of closing. The total agreement -subject to hitting performance-based targets - could result in a total payment of $56m.

Epstein doc heads to HBO Max

HBO Max has picked up distribution rights to Diabolical: The Epstein Files in more than a dozen countries across EMEA.

The doc will start rolling out across international territories from 3 September, with the streamer taking exclusive rights in the UK, Italy, the Netherlands and Iberia.

It also has rights in Turkey, Iceland, Greece and CEE, among others. Produced and distributed by Australia’s ABC, the doc traces the rise, operations, network and eventual downfall of Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender.

Diabolical: The Epstein Files was produced by Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Jennifer Feller and executive produced by Caitlin Shea.

Tony Ayres and BBCS develop Bliss

BBC Studios in Australia has partnered with Tony Ayres to adapt Peter Carey’s novel Bliss.

The book - first published in 1981 and adapted into a film in 1985.- follows an advertising exec who tries to reform his life after having a heart attack.

BBC Studios Australia Productions is in development with Ayres, whose prodco - Tony Ayres Producitons - was closed by NBC Universal earlier this year alongside Matchbox Pictures.

Not Suitable For Work to end

Hulu has axed Not Suitable For Work after its first season.

The Mindy Kaling romcom followed a group of colleagues who become romantically attached, and was produced by Warner Bros TV.

The show had ended its first season run in June and joins fellow young adult shows to have been cancelled by Hulu including the Buffy reboot and Foster Dade.

Five UK shows extended by Netflix

Netflix has revealed the return of five UK original shows, including The Gentlemen – although there is no word as to whether Meghan Markle will join the cast. 

House of Guinness, Legends, Being Gordan Ramsay and Formula 1: Drive To Survive are also slated to make comebacks in the next couple of years.  

Moonage Pictures’ The Gentlemen, which is directed by Guy Ritchie and follows an aristocrat drawn into the ruthless world of crime syndicates, is to get a third series. The announcement follows several days of speculation over whether the Duchess of Sussex is in talks to appear on the show. Read more