Big Brother continued on Sunday following an explosive double eviction which saw Chanelle voted out by the public before Trish, who had been tipped to win the ITV reality series, was also booted from the house.
24.10.2023 - 00:38 / deadline.com
Lenny Henry has launched a scripted production outfit backed by the £50M ($61M) Banijay UK Growth Fund.
Henry is helming Esmerelda Productions with former EastEnders and Casualty exec Jon Sen. It will produce drama and comedy shows with an emphasis on working with under-represented writers, cast and crew.
British comedy legend and diversity lobbyist Henry will step down as CEO of his current Banijay-backed production house Douglas Road, with MD Angela Ferreira taking the reins. That company just saw ITV launch Three Little Birds, Henry’s drama inspired by the experience of his family settling in the UK in the 1950s, which was exec produced by Russell T Davies.
Banijay’s investment will enable Esmerelda to build its team and slate, while the deal includes a first look with distributor Banijay Rights. Banijay’s Growth Fund has so far taken stakes in the likes of James Norton and Kitty Kaletsky’s Rabbit Track, and former UK TV commissioners Tommy Bulfin and Kim Varvell’s Conker Pictures, along with striking talent deals with big names including Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald.
“Building up to this announcement has been such a rollercoaster ride of keeping my nose to the grindstone and my mouth shut,” said Henry. “I am so proud that Banijay have seen fit to invest in us. I can’t wait to scheme and dream with my new, soon to be announced, team at Esmerelda led by the mighty Jon Sen.”
Banijay’s Patrick Holland, who oversees the Growth Fund, described Henry as a “national treasure and a creative legend in his own lifetime who, together with the brilliant Jon Sen, has plans for an ambitious scripted slate.”
Victoria Kimber of Danworth Associates assisted Esmerelda in arranging and negotiating the partnership,
Big Brother continued on Sunday following an explosive double eviction which saw Chanelle voted out by the public before Trish, who had been tipped to win the ITV reality series, was also booted from the house.
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Peggy Gou has dropped "I Believe In Love Again," her new single featuring Lenny Kravitz. The new collaboration is Gou's first release since "(It Goes Like) Nanana", one of the biggest songs of the summer.
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When Big Brother first returned to our screens last month after a five year absence, viewers at home were delighted to once again be introduced to a new batch of contestants who would be duking it out for a coveted cash prize. But while drama and intrigue were to be expected as several distinctive personalities clashed, one thing many fans hadn’t anticipated was a love triangle forming between three of the show’s contestants Matty, Jordan and Henry.
Henry Winkler celebrated his 78th birthday by visiting with the ladies of “The View.” He is best known for being the king of cool Arthur Fonzerelli, also known as “The Fonz” on the classic television sitcom “Happy Days.”Henry Winkler is 78. He has a long list of credentials. But first and foremost, the iconic actor is best known for his role in”Happy Days” as Arthur Fonzerelli.
EastEnders fans believe they've figured out another big return, just as rumours swirl about villain Dean Wicks making a comeback. Last week, reports suggested that actor Matt Di Angelo is returning to the BBC One soap after seven years, having last appeared in 2016 when his character was acquitted of attempting to assault Roxy Mitchell, played by Rita Simons.
Here’s something to provide a spark to an AFM hindered by the ongoing SAG-AFTRA guild strike. Deadline reports that Lionsgate will launch sales for their reboot of the “Highlander” franchise at the LA event, looking for a budget of over $100 million.
British comedy legend Sir Lenny Henry underwent a dramatic three stone weight loss transformation after receiving a grave warning from his doctor regarding his health.
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EXCLUSIVE: Black Bear has closed a raft of international deals on Guy Ritchie’s next project, the as yet untitled action film which wrapped principal photography in Spain this week.
Henry Winkler says fears of being typecast prompted him to turn down the lead role in 1978’s "Grease." "I was dumb," Winkler told People magazine in this week’s issue. "I spent so much energy, so much time … I spent so many sleepless nights thinking, ‘How do I not get typecast?’" The 77-year-old was at the height of his "Happy Days" fame, playing leather jacket-wearing "Fonzie," when he was offered the part, and he worried that the role of Danny Zucko, which went to John Travolta, would pigeonhole him. The 1978 musical was one of Travolta’s first leading film roles after his turn as Tony Manero in "Saturday Night Fever." "You go with the flow," Winkler advised.
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Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Endeavor Group, the parent of the WME talent agency and a significant shareholder in the new TKO combat-sports business, said it would launch a “strategic review” of its assets in a bid to find new ways to boost shareholder value. “Given the continued dislocation between Endeavor’s public market value and the intrinsic value of Endeavor’s underlying assets, we believe an evaluation of strategic alternatives is a prudent approach to ensure we are maximizing value for our shareholders,” said Ariel Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor, in a prepared statement.
K.J. Yossman Lenny Henry has launched a new production company backed by Banijay U.K. Titled Esmerelda, the new venture will focus on drama and comedy with an emphasis on under-represented voices.
Big Brother contestants Henry Southan and Zak Srakaew will be the next housemates to face the public vote ahead of the second live eviction of the series. During Wednesday’s episode of the ITV2 show, 18 October, it was revealed that the pair had received the most nominations from their fellow housemates. Following the revelation, their loved ones have spoken out, sharing an insight into what they’ve been thinking as they watch from home.