Drama indie The Forge has become the 11th scripted indie to come under the wing of super-indie Banijay.
Set up by former Company Pictures chief George Faber in 2014, The Forge’s hits include Jack Thorne’s Channel 4 series National Treasure, Kiri, The Light and Help, as well as the channel’s school drama Ackley Bridge and BBC dramas The Miniaturist and Marriage.
It is also behind Apple TV’s The Buccaneers, which is launching next week, Peter Kosminsky’s upcoming Grenfell drama for BBC1, and Ben Wheatley’s C4 series Generation Z.
In acquiring The Forge, Banijay now operates 11 UK scripted labels, including Kudos, co-producer of ITV’s Three Little Birds, Tiger Aspect (BBC1’s SAS: Rogue Heroes), Wild Mercury (BBC1’s The Sixth Commandment) and its recently-acquired majority stake in Mam Tor Productions (BBC1’s Chloe).
Faber said The Forge is “ambitious” for the next stage of growth, adding: “We believe that Banijay’s superb distribution arm, production expertise, management team and global reach will help us chart an exciting path to the future.”
Banijay UK chief executive Patrick Holland added: “With a commitment to the most distinctive authorship, a desire to make shows of the highest quality and a creative commitment to make drama that appeals to broad audiences, The Forge is an extraordinary group of talented producers.”
