'Monty Python' Writer to Adapt Neil Gaiman Novel for Prime Focus Services Group

The visual entertainment services company, with divisions in the U.K. and Mumbai and visual-effects and 3D-conversion operations in Hollywood, begins TV production.

LONDON -- Visual entertainment services group Prime Focus, with divisions listed here and in Mumbai and visual-effects and 3D-conversion operations in Hollywood, is dipping its toe into U.K. production.

Start-up division Prime Focus Productions aims to sit alongside its existing U.K. post-production services and give broadcasters and directors “concept-to-delivery expertise” for TV drama productions.

The company has hired British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award-winner Rod Brown to head up the production banner.

First out of the stable is an adaptation of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s novel Good Omens, scripted by Monty Python’s Terry Jones and Gavin Scott (Small Soldiers).

U.K. commercial broadcaster STV is funding script development and will be a co-production partner for the project with Prime Focus Productions.

Brown joins Prime Focus with 23 years experience in the industry and a resume that includes a BAFTA win for Sky 1’s Pratchett adaptation Hogfather and Colour of Magic.

In his new role, Brown is tasked with establishing Prime Focus Productions as a player in television drama.

“We set up Prime Focus Productions to produce fantastic television drama and we’ve hit the ground running,” said Brown. “We have a great team and have already moved into development on a number of projects, collaborating with some high-profile names including Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Terry Jones and David Jason. It’s very exciting to be part of such an ambitious project.”

Another project in the pipeline for Prime Focus Productions is set to star David Jason and is currently being developed by Caleb Ranson, the writer behind ITV dramas such as Diamond Geezer and Distant Shores. The project will be co-produced by Prime Focus Productions, STV and Shoreline Entertainment.

“A production division has been part of our thinking at Prime Focus for a while now but it was about getting the timing right and finding the right people to drive it,” said Prime Focus U.K. managing director Simon Briggs. “Our offering provides an end-to-end TV production solution for broadcasters from concept to delivery and is seamlessly supported by Prime Focus’ comprehensive range of post production and VFX services which now become an integral part of the production process.”