Moonage Pictures, producer of the hit show, is being sold; BBC Studios will retain a minority stake.
Moonage Pictures, the production company behind the popular adaptation of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, is currently up for sale. BBC Studios, which acquired a minority stake in Moonage in 2018, will retain its interest for the time being, although this could change depending on the outcome of the sale.
According to Exclusive Deadline, Moonage Pictures, run by Frith Tiplady, Matthew Read and Will Gould – former producers of Peaky Blinders – has been involved in a number of high-profile projects recently. The company’s production of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder for the BBC and Netflix, starring Emma Myers, is currently topping Netflix’s global charts. Additionally, Moonage co-produced The Gentlemen, a TV series spin-off of Guy Ritchie’s film, which has also been a success on Netflix and has recently been renewed for another season.
Other notable projects include an adaptation of Famous Five for the BBC and ZDF and a non-English language show The Leopard for Netflix Italy, which is Moonege’s first film in that region.
According to its most recent financial report, Moonage Pictures had a turnover of £12.2 million for the year ending March 31, 2023, down on the previous year, although this was before the delivery of some of its major projects. The company made a modest profit of £639,000.
Speculation is already rife about potential buyers. ITV Studios, which recently acquired Sherlock producer Hartswood, and Universal International Studios have been mentioned as potential contenders. All3Media, which is now under the control of RedBird IMI following a £1.15 billion acquisition, could also join the race.
BBC Studios has a history of adjusting its stakes in production companies, recently selling its minority stake in 72 Films, the company behind Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story, to Fremantle, while increasing its stake in other companies such as Sherwood producer House Productions. The studio also fully owns Steve Coogan’s Baby Cow and Gentleman Jack producer Lookout Point.
