Former Film4 head Tessa Ross, who read Chinese at Somerville in 1980, and ex-Working Title TV chief Juliette Howell have joined forces to launch TV and film production company, House Productions.
The pair set up House Productions with the backing of BBC’s international distribution arm, BBC Worldwide, and Access Entertainment, owned by US industrialist Len Blavatnik. The pair have worked together many times over the last 20 years at the BBC, Channel 4 and at Film4 on projects including Billy Elliot, Shameless, Slumdog Millionaire and The Last King of Scotland.
After departing Film4 where she worked from 2002-2014, Ross left a multi-award winning legacy of hits including Four Lions, This Is England, In Bruges, Slumdog Millionaire, Under the Skin and 12 Years a Slave. Her most recent commissions included Carol, Room, The Lobster, 45 Years and Ex Machina.
Howell stepped down from Working Title last year after five years as head of television, having established the UK production arm in 2010. She oversaw a number of drama series, films and comedies including BAFTA-winners London Spy and Birdsong for the BBC; the BBC/HBO film Mary and Martha; and Sky series Yonderland.
Announcing the new company, Ross said: ‘Juliette and I are truly excited about what we can achieve together, and with our partners at BBC Worldwide and Access Entertainment. We’re going to build a creative and supportive home at House Productions and look forward to growing something unique and long lasting with both new and old collaborators.’