Banijay acquires UK drama indie The Forge

The Forge currently has multiple titles for both linear and SVOD platforms in production, including The Buccaneers for Apple TV+, due to launch globally on November 8, and Disney+ series Shardlake by Stephen Butchard (The Last Kingdom), due to release next year.

Also coming up is a factual drama about the Grenfell disaster by Peter Kosminsky (Undeclared War, Government Inspector, Wolf Hall) for BBC One;  a youth-skewing drama series for BBC Three that will film next year and Generation Z, a six part series and the first original TV project from Ben Wheatley (The Meg II, Sightseers, Kill List) currently shooting for Channel 4.

The acquisition brings Banijay UK’s scripted acquisitions to nine, including wholly owned labels Kudos, Tiger Aspect and Wild Mercury.

The Forge’s senior creative team include Founder and Managing Director, George Faber, Mark Pybus (Executive Producer/ Head of Business Affairs), Beth Willis (Executive Producer) and George Ormond (Executive Producer).

The company’s slate of titles includes National Treasure (C4), Ackley Bridge (C4), The Miniaturist (BBC), Kiri (C4), Help (C4), Marriage (BBC), Becoming Elizabeth (Starz), Collateral (BBC), Rules of the Game (BBC) and Roadkill (BBC).

Patrick Holland, CEO of Banijay UK, said: “I have been a massive admirer of The Forge since its inception. George Faber, Mark Pybus, Beth Willis and George Ormond have together grown one of the most ambitious and exciting drama slates in the UK. 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.”

George Faber, Founder of The Forge, added; “We’re thrilled to be going into partnership with Banijay, a company whose culture and values feel like a great fit for The Forge. We’re ambitious for the next stage of our growth and 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.”

The deal includes a first look deal for Banijay Rights. The Forge was advised by Tom Manwaring at Helion Partners.