Vice Media Acquires ‘McMafia' Producer Cuba Pictures From UTA's Curtis Brown
EXCLUSIVE: Vice Media has bought Cuba Pictures from UTA-owned literary and talent agency Curtis Brown.
Cuba is one of the UK's most established drama producers. The London-based outfit's series include McMafia, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and the Andrew Garfield movie Boy A. It has just finished shooting The Walsh Sisters in Dublin, the much-anticipated adaptation of the Marian Keyes novels, for RTE and the BBC. It also recently wrapped on The Rumour for Paramount's Channel 5 and starring Joanne Whalley.
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Cuba is run by Dixie Linder and founder Nick Marston, who is also Chairman of Curtis Brown's Television, Film and Theatre Department. Word is that Linder will continue to lead the company with Marston also remaining involved.
Deadline understands that Cuba will become part of Vice Studios, which is run by Jamie Hall in London and Danny Gabai in Los Angeles. The label will sit alongside Gangs of London producer Pulse in the Vice Studios fold. Financial terms of the deal are not known.
'Dixie and the team at Cuba Pictures have an exceptional track record in the scripted space,' said Hall. 'Together we will produce incredibly compelling scripted content and extend Vice Studios' global reach.'
Marston said that Cuba Pictures has always had 'a fierce intelligence and an independent spirit, with some great clients of Curtis Brown at the heart of the creative process,' adding: 'I am sure that Vice Studios will continue this tradition, and I look forward to fruitful collaborations in the future.'
Curtis Brown, which was bought by UTA in 2022, and Cuba have close creative ties, which will remain, said CEO Jonny Geller: 'We will be continuing to work with our friends at Cuba who have brought so many of our clients' projects to the screen.'
Linder welcomed the deal to join Vice Studios. 'Their passion and vision make them the perfect partners for this journey, and I can't wait to see what we create together—while continuing our very special relationship with Curtis Brown.'
Vice went on a rollercoaster corporate ride, evolving from noisy outsider to part of the media establishment, to bankruptcy. Now, under its new ownership of Fortress Investment Group, Soros Capital Management, and Monroe Capital, it has pared back and restructured and has moved in deal-making mode in recent months. In February, Vice Studios cut a distribution agreement with ITV Studios. In March, Vice acquired LA-based music video and commercials outfit London Alley Entertainment.
'We are impressed by the innovative shows that Cuba Pictures produces with global appeal, and this acquisition accelerates our Studios' growth strategy in scripted content,' said Bruce Dixon, CEO of Vice Media. 'This is the latest example of Vice's momentum and successful turnaround.'
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