Warren Clarke is set to join BBC Studios’ Australian production arm as head of scripted.
The appointment comes amidst a restructure for the studio, which will see it make a major push into premium scripted production.
The restructure also means Deb Spinocchia, formerly head of development and content, will become head of unscripted, and Arianna Gusi will join as head of production unscripted.
Clarke, the new head of scripted, was formerly head of scripted development for Fremantle Australia. During his time there, he served as EP on projects including Netflix’s “Wellmania” and Nickelodeon’s “Rock Island Mysteries“.
In other previous roles, he was development executive at Matchbox Pictures, where he worked on Foxtel’s political drama “Secret City”, Rebecca Gibney’s “Wanted” and SBS’ “Safe Harbour”. He was slo showrunner and co-created of “The Heights”.
BBC Studios Production ANZ is currently in production on observational documentary “The Matchmakers” for SBS, an Australian version of the hit U.K. gameshow “The 1% Club” for the Seven Network hosted by comedian Jim Jefferies, another series of “The Great Australian Bake Off” for Foxtel, as well as another series of “Mastermind” for SBS.
In his new role, Clarke will be tasked with delivering world-class scripted content with local and global appeal, including original series and Australian reimagining of successful BBC Studios scripted formats.
Gusi, meanwhile, joins from Endemol Shine Australia, where she was a production executive overseeing the management of international formats including “The Voice”, “Masterchef” and “Lego Masters”. She’s also worked at Zapruders and Fredbird as well as a number of U.K. production companies.
Kylie Washington, general manager and creative director of production at BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand, said: “This is an exciting time for BBC Studios, we have big ambitions for the scripted side of our business with some announcements coming later this year. There is a real appetite globally for Australian produced drama. Warren’s local creative expertise, coupled with BBC Studios’ brilliant drama catalogue, international contacts and proven ability to fund content, mean we are in a great position to capitalise on that.
“Our unscripted business continues to go from strength to strength and, with a bunch of shows currently in production and several others in late development stages, it is the right time to bolster our team in that area, with a new role for Deb and the appointment of Arianna to the new post of head of production unscripted. We have been growing rapidly since kicking off the production business four years ago.”
Clarke said: “I’m thrilled to be joining BBC Studios ANZ. BBC Studios has a reputation for creating world-class drama. From developing premium, original shows like “Time”, “Luther” and “Silent Witness” to those that draw on their rich catalogue of scripted formats, with titles like “Ghosts”, “The Office” and “Doctor Foster” reformatted around the world, BBC Studios is synonymous with quality.
“Australia has a vibrant creative community and I look forward to working with the best of Australia’s scripted talent in this new role.”
