NBC Universal CEO Jeff Shell said the company is always eyeing possible deals to bolster its business, citing the $3.8-billion acquisition of DreamWorks Animation in 2016 and Universal’s partnership with Blumhouse Productions.
09.01.2023 - 22:55 / deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: The talent agency scene in the UK has been the talk of the town since UTA snapped up Curtis Brown Group last year.
A move by rival United Agents, which reps the likes of Kate Winslet, Olivia Colman, Ricky Gervais and Kit Harington, has now added fuel to that fire.
The company, which was founded in 2007 by a slew of former Peters Fraser and Dunlop (PFD) agents, has turned itself into a limited company. It was previously a limited liability partnership.
The financial transaction, which went through last week, has spurred a fresh wave of acquisition rumors as British agencies become the hot new plaything for the major American talent agencies.
UTA snapped up Curtis Brown, which reps the likes of Robert Pattinson, Stanley Tucci and Margaret Atwood, in June.
Next, eyes will be on the likes of CAA and WME owner Endeavor as to whether they follow suit and buy into the London talent scene with deals for companies including United Agents and Independent Talent Group.
We hear that some within United Agents are keen for a sale, while others are opposed so it could be an interesting few months.
The move to become a limited company will likely make it easier to sell, but sources close to the company suggest that this wasn’t the reason for the transaction. There are understood to be no personnel changes as a result of the move and it remains business as usual.
United Agents has a strong client list of actors including James Corden, Taron Egerton, Luke Evans, Tom Hardy, Charlie Cox, Phoebe Dynevor, Keira Knightley, Rosamund Pike, Eddie Redmayne, Matthew Rhys, Kathleen Turner and Kate Walsh. It also reps writers and directors such as Richard Curtis, Emerald Fennell and Sharon Horgan and has a solid literary and book
NBC Universal CEO Jeff Shell said the company is always eyeing possible deals to bolster its business, citing the $3.8-billion acquisition of DreamWorks Animation in 2016 and Universal’s partnership with Blumhouse Productions.
The Frasier sequel series continues to build out the new generation of Cranes. Newcomer Anders Keith has been cast as Niles and Daphne’s son David, joining Jack Cutmore-Scott, who was previously tapped to play Frasier and Lilith’s son’s Freddy. Jess Salgueiro (Y: The Last Man) also has been cast as a lead opposite Kelsey Grammer and Cutmore-Scott in the long-in-the-works series for Paramount+.
Worldwide Production Agency Hires Literary Agent Liz OrrWorldwide Production Agency (WPA) has hired literary agent Liz Orr. Orr will expand WPA’s physical presence, establishing a new office in New York City. She joins from WPA after four years as a TV Literary and Packaging Agent at Buchwald where she worked with TV and film writers, directors, and producers. Her clients include Patrick Coker & Adam Wiesen (East New York), Gary Hardwick (The Perfect Match), and Markuann Smith (Godfather of Harlem). Speaking of Orr’s new role, WPA Managing Partners Steve Jacob and Frank Balkin said: “We’re extremely fortunate Liz has chosen to join our team – her passion for her clients and ‘artist-first’ philosophy makes her an outstanding fit with both our staff and our culture. She is a key component of our overall growth strategy to help our clients succeed.”
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with all the gossip as a result of Prince Harry’s memoir Spare, which was released last week. On Wednesday, January 18, the 41-year-old went about her first solo outing of 2023—a true professional. , sans her husband, the Prince of Wales, dropped by Foxcubs Nursery in Luton, which focuses on learning through play.
The Palace intrigue continues: Martha Plimpton (The Good Wife) has joined the cast of the HBO limited series that stars Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Andrea Riseborough and Hugh Grant.
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Something’s not right! Kate Winslet left fans with more questions than answers when she appeared on a new Titanic poster with two different hairstyles.
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here relaying a hugely busy week in the world of film and TV as the post-Christmas blues are very much washed away. Read on.
Titanic opposite Leonardo DiCaprio's boyishly charming Jack Dawson. The historical blockbuster cleaned house during the 1998 award season, winning Golden Globes, Academy Awards, and Grammys—though neither Winslet nor DiCaprio won any acting awards, despite nominations.
Kate Winslet could leave anyone starstruck and this young reporter is no exception!
doing her first ever interview a generous pep talk for future reference. The young journalist, an actual child named Martha, was interviewing Winslet about Avatar: The Way of Water for logo!, per , and admitted it was her first time. “Okay well guess what,” Winslet says in the video, getting into pep-talk stance with her hands on her knees. “When we do this interview, it's going to be the most amazing interview ever.
42 has made a big name hire. Former Netflix and Tiger Aspect Productions exec Ben Cavey is joining as Head of Comedy and Entertainment.
Kate Winslet empowered a young journalist conducting her first interview and the video of the moment has now gone viral.
Defiant Liam Fox insists he won’t allow defeat to Rangers to derail his bid to get Dundee United back on track.
UTA has acquired Fletcher & Company, a 20-year-old literary agency with a roster of notable fiction and non-fiction authors.
True crime drama “Boston Strangler” is set to premiere in March exclusively on Hulu, the streamer announced Tuesday. The feature film from 20th Century dives into the infamous Boston Strangler murders of the 1960s.“Boston Strangler” — written and directed by Matt Ruskin (“Crown Heights”) — will portray the true story of Loretta McLaughlin, the first reporter to break the story of the titular murderer, who slayed 13 women in the areas surrounding in the early ’60s. The film stars Oscar nominee Keira Knightley as McLaughlin, alongside Carrie Coon, Alessandro Nivola and Chris Cooper.