FilmNation Strikes Deal With High Road Over TV Slate

EXCLUSIVE: FilmNation has partnered with nascent British indie High Road Entertainment.

The two outfits will seek to co-produce projects and High Road will support them through financing and international market strategy, while also providing executive production expertise from development through production.

The pair said Anora studio FilmNation’s “internationally focused approach to producing and financing ambitious storytelling will be complemented by High Road’s experience in packaging, financing and bringing premium television projects to market.”

Recent FilmNation international TV projects include Prime Video’s adaptation of Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits and the upcoming adaptation of Graham Norton’s book Forever Home for Skydance UK network 5.

High Road was launched earlier this year by former Buccaneer co-CEO Richard Tulk-Hart and former Cineflix Head of Scripted TV James Durie. Upcoming, the indie has a big bit of IP to manage with the Gemma Arterton-starring adaptation of Portrait of a Lady for PBS Masterpiece, the BBC and Fox. That one comes from High Road and Number 9 Films in association with Beta Film.

Further announcements regarding commissions already in place will follow, FilmNation and High Road said.

Kirstie Macdonald, FilmNation’s head of Television, called High Road “an ideal partner for this slate.” “Their understanding of the international television landscape, combined with their financing, distribution and exec producing capabilities, makes them the perfect partner to build on the success achieved so far.,” she added. “We look forward to working together to bring these ambitious projects to life and to audiences globally.”

Tulk-Hart and Durie added: “FilmNation has built an exceptional reputation for identifying and supporting bold, distinctive stories and filmmakers,” said Richard and James of High Road Entertainment. “We’re thrilled to partner with the team and to help bring this slate to audiences around the world and build on the shows we have already got in production. Our focus is on supporting the great creative work Kirstie Macdonald and her team have built to date with the financing, production expertise and market strategy needed to realise these projects at the highest level.”