Harry: The Interview EP Nat Lippiett and BBC factual leisure commissioner Clare Mottershead have joined Orchard Studios, the nascent UK unscripted indie run by former Amazon UK packages chief Dan Grabiner and ex-The Backyard boss Nicola Hill.
Lippiett will turn into Head of Programmes and Mottershead Head of Factual & Codecs once they be part of later this yr, as Grabiner and Hill sign their intent to make Orchard a significant participant within the house. They’ve additionally snapped up Disney+’s Save Our Squad with David Beckham edit producer Dani Carpanen as Senior Producer.
Lippiett most just lately exec produced ITV’s explosive Prince Harry interview, which generated headlines worldwide because the Prince mentioned how he and spouse Meghan Markle had fled the UK “fearing for our lives.” Different credit throughout his prolonged ITN Productions stint embody Amazon Prime Video‘s The Confession and The Queen’s Inexperienced Planet for ITV.
Mottershead is a highly-regarded BBC commissioner who has labored throughout the likes of Inside Design Masters, Hugh’s Conflict on Plastic and Amanda and Alan’s Italian Job as Lead Commissioner in Catherine Catton’s fact-ent and occasions workforce. She was promoted final yr when Catton was handed the occasions transient. Carpanen’s previous credit embody Nat Geo’s One Day in America and the BBC’s Hospital collection.
“Nat, Clare and Dani are best-in-class inventive leaders with knockout observe data in growing, producing and launching daring, revolutionary unscripted programming,” mentioned Grabiner. “Collectively, we’re constructing a contemporary, international, world-class manufacturing firm, creating must-watch factual-entertainment codecs and impactful box-set documentaries.”
Grabiner and Hill unveiled Orchard in September, shortly after Grabiner’s Amazon exit, and the pair have secured capital from an unnamed non-public media funding group. Manufacturing indie advisory Matisse is offering inventive, strategic and expertise assist.