Australian television production company Northern Pictures has welcomed Polly Rowe as Head of Scripted Development, as it continues to expand its slate of scripted projects.
In the new role, Rowe will oversee the development and commissioning of scripted content, ensuring Northern Pictures continues to deliver innovative, diverse and globally resonant storytelling. She brings extensive experience in content development to the job, having worked with lead broadcasters including Amazon, Netflix, Stan and the ABC, with credits on popular series like “Top End Bub” and “Black Snow” season two.
“I’m excited to join Northern Pictures, renowned for its distinctive creative vision. I’m impressed by the talent in the team and their inventive ways of creating. Their brilliant strategic and innovative thinking is evident on screen and I look forward to helping expand the company’s legacy of bold, authentic storytelling worldwide,” she said of her appointment.
Her career in story development began as a dramaturg in the theatre sector, before serving as the Literary Manager at Sydney Theatre Company. During her impressive 15-year career at the STC, she worked with Artistic Directors Cate Blanchett, Andrew Upton and Kip Williams to commission and develop more than 45 new Australian plays.
Rowe also led the development of acclaimed works including “Black is the New White” by Nakkiah Lui, and “RBG” by Suzie Miller, and established development programs such as Rough Drafts and the Emerging Writers Group.
Her appointment underscores Northern Pictures’ dedication to creating award winning, world class content for audiences in Australia and beyond. Northern Pictures is part of RACAT Group which owns and operates Australian Geographic, Australian Geographic Society, Junkee Media and New Zealand’s independent game developer and publisher, Runaway.
This year, the company was recognised as Screen Producers Australia Production Business of the Year, for the second time, and holds the distinction of winning seven Primetime Emmy Awards for “Love on the Spectrum” – making it the most‑awarded Australian production company in Emmy history. Most recently, Northern Pictures was also honoured as a Trailblazer in Realscreen’s Global 100.
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Matt Vitins, Northern Pictures Managing Director, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Polly to Northern Pictures. She brings a clear creative sensibility, a genuine love for writing and writers, and deep relationships with some of Australia’s most exciting screenwriting talent. We are thrilled to be working with her as we continue to build our scripted slate in development and production.”