‘Hijack’ Creator George Kay Launches Label Observatory Pictures With New Pictures, All3Media

“Hijack” creator George Kay is set to form his own label as part of an exclusive partnership deal with New Pictures and All3Media.

The multi-year agreement will see Kay, who is responsible for hits including Idris Elba starrer “Hijack” on Apple TV+, Netflix’s “Lupin” and ITV series “The Long Shadow,” launch Observatory Pictures, which will coproduce all Kay’s new content with New Pictures. All3Media, which owns New Pictures, will distribute it globally.

Kay previously worked with New Pictures on “The Long Shadow,” which the showrunner created and wrote. Under the terms of the new deal, he will work closely with New Pictures CEO Willow Grylls and exec producer Matt Sandford to create new internationally-successful high-end dramas.

As well as “The Long Shadow,” a true crime drama about British serial killer the Yorkshire ripper, New Pictures has produced series including HBO’s “Catherine the Great,” “No Escape” for Paramount+ and BBC/Starz show “The Missing.”

“This new partnership affords me the opportunity to create ambitious new shows and the freedom to secure the most suitable platform for each of them,” said Kay. “Willow is a fantastic producer, and I look forward to continuing the great relationship I formed with her and the New Pictures team on ‘The Long Shadow.’ I can’t think of a better partner. And I’m thrilled to have the backing of Jane, Sara and Louise at All3Media and All3Media International.”

All3Media CEO Jane Turton added: “From ‘Lupin’ and ‘Criminal,’ ‘Litvinenko’ to ‘The Long Shadow’ and ‘Hijack,’ George has written and co-created award-winning scripted series that have travelled the world. At All3Media, our focus is on quality – in both the programmes that we produce and the creative talent behind those shows – so I am delighted that George is partnering with New Pictures and All3Media to produce and distribute all of his new shows. He is a prolific and exceptionally talented showrunner, a master storyteller at the very top of his game. His track record of hits speaks for itself, and we are looking forward to working with George on his strong slate of exciting new projects.”

The deal was brokered by New Pictures’ Grylls and Joe Phillips at Curtis Brown.