A24 Lures BBC Films Boss Rose Garnett & BBC Drama Director Piers Wenger In Splashy International Hires

01.03.2022 - 19:05 / deadline.com

A24 has made two splashy international hires in the shape of BBC executives Rose Garnett and Piers Wenger who will join the ambitious U.S. distributor and producer to oversee their growing international film and TV slate.

Wenger is currently Director of BBC Drama, where he has overseen series including I May Destroy You, Bodyguard, A Very English Scandal, His Dark Materials, Normal People and Small Axe (both in close collaboration with Garnett). Previously he was Head of Drama at Channel 4 where he commissioned Humans, National Treasure, Southcliffe and The End of The F**cking World.

Garnett currently serves as Director of BBC Film where she has overseen a slate of titles including The Power of The Dog, Souvenir 1 and 2, The Nest, and Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always. Prior to that, she was at Film4 where she shepherded award-winners The Favourite, Room, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri and American Honey.

Based in London, the newly created roles will continue to see Garnett and Wenger working closely with the creative community in the UK and beyond. Their collaborations will be “inclusive and wide-ranging working with producers, directors and writers – new and established – to make forward-thinking, talent-focused work”.

The double hire will be a blow to the BBC. Wenger will leave the organization in May. Ben Irving will take on the role of Acting Director of BBC Drama until an appointment is made.

Garnett will also leave in May. Ben Irving will take on the role of Acting Director of BBC Drama until an appointment is made.

The duo said: “We have loved our time at the BBC where we learnt so much working with brilliant storytellers and wonderful colleagues. Leaving was a difficult decision but A24 has built something