Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and Eleventh Hour Films (Magpie Murders), in which SPT owns a majority stake, have struck a first-look deal with Tobi Olujinmi’s Black female-led scripted television label Hill 5.14 Media.
Olujinmi, a producer and former development producer at Eleventh Hour, launched Hill 5.14 in late 2022 as a “scripted TV and audio label, producing distinctive ‘light on a hill’ content for global audiences.”
Calling it “a home for outstanding diverse stories” and “a destination of some of the best black British talent,” SPT said on Friday that “through its first year and a half Hill 5.14 has established itself as an emerging creative force in the industry with multiple funded and advanced developments across both U.K. and international networks and streaming platforms.”
The label has collaborated with such writers as Phoebe Okeowo (The Power), Bella Heesom (Sex Education), Victoria Asare-Archer (Missing You), and Thara Poopla (Sex Education). “The company’s ambitious but authentic approach to storytelling has attracted on-screen talent including Weruche Opia (I May Destroy You), Adelayo Adebayo (The Responder), and Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), who also fronts the Hill 5.14 produced podcast Discover Me,” SPT said.
Eleventh Hoyr will have a first-look option to co-develop and co-produce TV projects on the Hill 5.14 slate, with SPT acting as the distributor for these projects.
“I am beyond thrilled to be working with Sony Pictures and EHF for the next phase of Hill 5.14’s journey. It’s the dream team,” said Olujinmi, founder and executive producer of Hill 5.14. “Their joint expertise, experience and track record of delivering exceptional drama will help in building Hill 5.14 as a global production company.”
Paula Cuddy, co-CEO and creative director of Eleventh Hour, and Eve Gutierrez, the firm’s co-CEO and executive producer, added: “From the moment we met Tobi, we loved her dynamic outlook, enterprise, and creative sensibilities. Instinctively we knew she’d do all she could as a producer to make things happen.”
Matthew Justice, executive vp, head of U.K. & Europe at SPT, said: “Telling stories which have the capacity to open eyes, showcase talent, and connect with audiences the world over is what we love at Sony Pictures, and Tobi has built a company in Hill 5.14 which has quickly become a home for great talent.”
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