BBC Studios has agreed a partnership deal with Jolly Octopus Media, a new production company founded by Emmy and BAFTA winners Ollie Brack and James Longman.
Backed by BBC Studios Global Entertainment, Jolly Octopus will develop entertainment formats that aim to appeal to audiences around the globe. BBC Studios will share IP of its formats along with distribution rights.
Both from the UK and now living in the US, Brack and Longman first met working at MTV in 2001.
Longman went on to become a two-time Emmy-winning Executive Producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden, Carpool Karaoke: McCartney Live from Liverpool and the Jamie Foxx Netflix special What Had Happened Was. Before moving to LA he was Head of Programmes at Talkback Productions.
A BAFTA-winning Executive Producer, Brack was Head of Entertainment and Comedy at Monkey Kingdom where he co-created, sold and oversaw a slate of returning shows and international format sales such as The Question Jury, Don’t Hate The Playaz and The Emily Atack Show. He then moved to LA to launch and run Monkey’s first US office.
Jolly Octopus has also signed an agreement with Matisse, Nick Curwin and Scarlett Ewens’s UK-based indie advisory service, which has a minority stake in the new venture and will be providing strategic and commercial support.
Brack and Longman said: “This company is something very special to us and we’re thrilled to be launching in partnership with BBC Studios to make joyful, entertainment formats with our colleagues and partners in London and Los Angeles.”
Matt Forde, Managing Director, BBC Studios Global Entertainment added: “Ollie and James are brilliant creatives and bring to the partnership a great track record in developing entertaining content with top tier talent that appeals to all audiences.”
You are not signed in
Only registered users can comment on this article.
.jpg)
Expanded Future Tech to showcase the very best in innovation, technology and talent
After a successful debut in 2025, Future Tech returns to Hall 14 of the RAI this year, with more features, more innovation and more of the technologies shaping the next era of media and entertainment.
.jpg)
UK TV industry advocates out-of-hours guidelines
The UK television industry has backed new guidelines to minimise out-of-hours contact to help improve work-life balance in the sector.
.jpg)
EU approves Paramount's WBD acquisition with conditions
The European Commission has approved Paramount Skydance’s proposed $110bn acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Isabel Davis to become Director of BFI Filmmaking Funds
The British Film Institute (BFI) has named Isabel Davis as Director of its BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Funds.
Netflix uses GenAI on 300 titles in 2026
Netflix has revealed that nearly 300 titles on its platform have used generative AI, from early concept stages and pre-visualisation through to post-production and release.
