ITV Studios Buys Majority Stake in ‘The Couple Next Door’ Producer Eagle Eye

ITV Studios has acquired a majority stake in production firm Eagle Eye Drama, which was launched in 2018 by Walter Iuzzolino, Jo McGrath and Jason Thorp. That is the same team that is also behind Channel 4’a international drama streaming service Walter Presents. 

“Eagle Eye, which has been part of Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund since 2019, produces a wide breadth of scripted content from original dramas to adaptations of critically acclaimed international series for English-speaking audiences, with its slate including a raft of hit returning shows, including ITV’s Professor T and Hotel Portofino, Channel 4’s Before We Die and Suspect, as well as The Couple Next Door, which was Channel 4’s biggest-ever scripted streaming launch,” the companies said..

As part of the deal, ITV Studios has also acquired a majority stake in the Belgium-based production services company Happy Duck, led by producer and director Dries Vos (Professor T, The Couple Next Door), which services Eagle Eye’s global slate.

Professor T, starring Ben Miller and adapted from the Belgian series of the same name, has sold into over 120 territories worldwide, with Hotel Portofino airing in over 70 territories across five continents and The Couple Next Door also clocking up very strong international sales. 

Upcoming series include PBS’ Patience, starring Laura Fraser (Breaking Bad) and Ella Maisy Purvis (Malpractice) and Bookish, created by and starring Mark Gatiss for UKTV’s Alibi, while the company has multiple projects in development.

International distribution of new Eagle Eye series will be handled by ITV Studios.

Julian Bellamy, managing director of ITV Studios, said: “Since launching Eagle Eye just five years ago, Walter, Jo and Jason have built a really impressive scripted business. Disruptive, innovative and international, Eagle Eye has carved out a real point of difference in the market. I’m delighted to welcome them to ITV Studios.”

And Eagle Eye CEO Iuzzolino: “The team has built ITV Studios into the most exciting production powerhouse in the U.K., and we are incredibly proud and honored to be joining them, and the distinguished list of extraordinary creative minds, for the next phase of Eagle Eye’s growth trajectory.”