STV Studios Ups Stake In ‘Patrick Melrose’ & ‘Army Of Shadows’ Producer Two Cities Once Again

EXCLUSIVE: STV Studios has once again upped its stake in Patrick Melrose and Blue Lights producer Two Cities Television.

The Scottish production giant has shifted its ownership from 51% to 75%, according to a recent Companies House filing.

STV, which owns Criminal Record maker STV Studios, confirmed the move. “As was the plan from the point we moved to a majority holding of Two Cities Television in early 2024, our intention has been to continue to increase our stake as the label grows,” said a spokeswoman. “The company continues to go from strength to strength and, accordingly our stake has increased to 75%.”

STV first took a minority stake in Two Cities in 2020 before increasing this to 51% in 2024.

The latest adjustment solidifies STV’s backing for Two Cities.

Run by Michael Jackson and Stephen Wright, Two Cities, which is based out of London and New York, has been on something of a roll of late delivering regular seasons of police procedural Blue Lights for the BBC along with limited series like Sky’s Amadeus. Upcoming it has Channel 4 and Canal+’s Army of Shadows from Day of the Jackal showrunner Ronan Bennett, along with an RTÉ series starring Star Trek icon Kate Mulgrew.

Speaking to Deadline several weeks back, Jackson said the indie’s strategy is to keep the plates spinning with one or two returners while simultaneously seeking interesting IP for limited series. “One helps keep the operation going and gives you the run room to develop the other,” said Jackson, a former BBC One and Channel 4 boss.

STV Studios has stakes in drama indies including Frank Spotnitz’s Man in the High Castle producer Big Light and Criminal Record maker Tod Productions. It recently struck a deal with Grey’s Anatomy star Kevin McKidd and his Ferryman Films.