Fremantle has signed a first look and development deal with Fudge Park, the British comedy company founded by The Inbetweeners creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley.
Under the agreement, Fremantle will become the primary home for all of Fudge Park’s upcoming scripted projects, with the indie working closely with Fremantle’s global drama and international distribution divisions to help develop and expand its drama and comedy program globally.
The deal was brokered by Jill Kellie, Fremantle’s vice president of commercial strategy, commercial and international, and Jonathan Blyth, managing director of Fudge Park, and follows the success of the two companies’ recent collaboration on the BBC comedy ‘ Daddy Issues’. The series, starring Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey, debuted in August and became BBC Three’s biggest new comedy series launch of the year and the biggest comedy series for the channel since its 2021 relaunch.
“We have enjoyed working with the Fremantle team over the past year, who have been an excellent partner on ‘Daddy Issues’,” said Blythe. “They really understand Fudge Park’s DNA and share our creative vision, so broadening the partnership was an easy decision.”
Rebecca Dundon, senior vice-president and head of scripted commercial at Fremantle, added: “Fudge Park is a rare gem, where talent-driven vision meets universal themes and sharp, original writing. They consistently deliver fresh, engaging content, and I couldn’t be prouder to start our partnership after the success of Dad problems. I’m excited to see where we go from here – the sky’s the limit!”
Fudge Park joins the growing range of international manufacturing companies that have signed deals with Fremantle in recent years. Other first look deals have been signed with Kristen Stewart’s Nevermind Pictures, Me+You Productions and Roughcut Television, Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín’s Fabula, Luca Guadagnino, Paolo Sorrentino, Angelina Jolie, Rachel Weisz and Polly Stokes’ Astral Projection, Edward Berger and his label Nine Hours, Sinestra by Johan Renck and Michael Parets, Caledonia Productions by Patrick Daly and ongoing collaborations with writers and directors including Michael Winterbottom.