ITV Studios, the production and distribution arm of British broadcaster ITV, is further expanding its presence in premium drama production with the launch of Paper Mill Productions, a scripted label led by drama producer Preity Mavahari.
ITV Studios will be responsible for Paper Mill’s international distribution, developing and producing premium scripted series designed for UK and international audiences.
Mavahari is currently the creative director of Ben Stephenson’s transatlantic drama house, Poison Pen Studios. Poison Pen Studios is also a label of ITV Studios.
During her tenure, she oversaw the development and production of Adultery, a new provocative love story starring Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai and written by Danny Brocklehurst, and The Dark, a serial killer thriller adapted by Matt Hartley from GR Halliday’s debut novel From the Shadows. Both series are due to launch on ITV later this year.
Mavahari’s credits include the critically acclaimed BBC/Netflix hits ‘The Serpent’, ‘Noughts + Crosses’ and ‘The City & the City’. Her credits also include the BAFTA-nominated “NW,” “War of the Worlds,” “MacDonald & Dodds,” “Tripped” and “Next of Kin.” Mavahari was previously a drama director at Mammoth Screen, Sky Studios, Film 4 and Film London.
Mavahari has appointed Luke Woolhuff as executive producer for the first time. He joins Poison Pen from Poison Pen, where he was director of development and also served as EP for ‘Adultery’ and ‘The Dark’. Previously, he was Head of Development at Left Bank Pictures, where his credits include the BAFTA-nominated ITVX thriller Without Sin, the hit Netflix series Behind Her Eyes, and the BAFTA-winning Sitting in Limbo.
Mabahari said: “Almost my entire television career has been as part of ITV Studios, so it felt natural for me to take this exciting and important step into the family. I’m excited to launch this new business and continue to work with the great storytellers and creatives, Julian and the incredible talented team at ITV Studios.”
ITV Studios Managing Director Julian Bellamy added: “ITV Studios has a long tradition of supporting talented drama executives. I’m delighted that the launch of Paper Mill Productions marks the next exciting stage in Preity’s journey with us, creating a label dedicated to bold and impactful drama.”
ITV Studios’ portfolio of British drama producers includes Quay Street Productions, World Productions, Happy Prince, Mammoth Screen, Heartswood Films and Moonage Pictures, while its international drama studios include Cattleya, Plano a Plano, Ringo Pictures, Windlight Pictures, TM Studios, Tetra Media Fiction, Colette Productions, Good Cop and Lantrouse.
