ITV Studios acquires Lingo Pictures

ITV Studios has acquiring a majority stake in Australian production company, Lingo Pictures founded by drama producers Helen Bowden and Jason Stephens (pictured).

Lingo titles have included Upright, The Secrets She Keep, Lambs of God, On The Ropes and Wake In Fright.

Upcoming titles include Queen of Oz, starring and co-written by Catherine Tate; The Messenger, based on the best-selling novel by Markus Zusa; and Prosper.

Helen Bowden, previously founder and Managing Director of Matchbox Pictures, and Jason Stephens, formerly Head of Development and then Creative Director at Fremantle Australia, will continue to head up the business based in Sydney. As part of the wider ITV Studios Group, Lingo will sit under the international production arm led by Managing Director, Lisa Perrin.

Lisa Perrin said: “I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Helen and Jason whose partnership has become one of the most admired in the Australian and international scripted space. Their talent for producing high quality scripted content is clear and they are well positioned to take even more advantage of the unprecedented demand for English language drama as part of our global network of production companies.”

Bowden and Stephens added: “What a privilege it is to join the international powerhouse ITV Studios at a time when Australian stories are exploding around the world. We are so excited to be sitting alongside the other illustrious ITV Studios labels and can’t wait to get started!”

ITV Studios will handle the international distribution for all new Lingo Pictures series.