Company Pictures

Company Pictures was founded in 1998 by Charles Pattinson and George Faber, who had worked together at BBC Films. The founders established the company as a British independent production business focused on film and television, with scripted drama becoming its principal area of activity. Their previous experience at BBC Films shaped the company’s early development and connected it to the network of writers, directors, broadcasters, and financiers involved in British screen production. The company’s first film was Morvern Callar. The project had begun development while Pattinson and Faber were still employed at BBC Films, and the finished film was credited as a co-production with BBC Films. Its early film work established Company Pictures as more than a television supplier and demonstrated the founders’ interest in literary, artistic, and internationally oriented screen projects. Company Pictures subsequently concentrated on television drama for a variety of broadcasters. Its business model reflected the broader development of the British independent-production sector: production companies developed projects, assembled creative teams, secured broadcaster commissions, and used co-production or distribution arrangements to support projects with international potential. The company became especially associated with scripted drama rather than with a single broadcaster-owned identity. In 2003, Company Pictures became part of All3Media. The change gave the company the support of a larger group while allowing it to continue operating under the Company Pictures name. All3Media’s group structure provided a broader commercial environment for production, financing, distribution, and international relationships. One of the company’s notable international production strategies was used for The White Queen. Company Pictures collaborated with a Flemish production house for both creative and financial reasons. The partnership enabled filming in the historic Belgian cities of Ghent and Bruges, locations suited to the series’ medieval setting. It also enabled the production to use European co-production mechanisms and tax incentives connected with investment in Flanders. The project illustrates how location, financing, and regional production support can be combined in the making of high-profile period drama. In 2012, Pattinson and Faber left Company Pictures to form another independent production company. Their departure ended the founders’ direct leadership of the business but did not end the Company Pictures label. John Yorke served as managing director until 2015, after which Michele Buck took over. Buck had previously been joint managing director of Mammoth Screen, another British scripted-production company. The corporate ownership of Company Pictures changed again in 2026, when, according to the supplied reference material, Banijay Entertainment and All3Media merged and Company Pictures became part of Banijay UK. The move placed the company within Banijay’s international production ecosystem. Publicly available information supplied for this dossier does not establish a complete current executive roster, detailed recent production list, headquarters address, or standalone website. The company is therefore best described as an active British television production label whose identity rests on scripted drama, feature-film origins, and international co-production experience.

1. 2026Company Pictures enters Banijay UK

   The company becomes part of Banijay UK following the merger between Banijay Entertainment and All3Media, according to the supplied reference.

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2. 2015Michele Buck becomes managing director

   Michele Buck succeeds John Yorke as managing director.

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3. 2012Founders depart

   Charles Pattinson and George Faber leave Company Pictures to establish another independent production company.

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4. 2003Company Pictures joins All3Media

   The producer becomes part of the All3Media group while continuing to operate under the Company Pictures identity.

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5. 1998Company Pictures is founded

   Charles Pattinson and George Faber establish Company Pictures after working together at BBC Films.

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6. 1998Morvern Callar becomes the company’s first film

   The company’s first film is developed from work begun at BBC Films and is credited as a co-production with BBC Films.

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A British independent-style scripted-content producer operating within major international production groups, with an emphasis on television drama, period storytelling, and cross-border production partnerships.

• Morvern CallarFeature film

  Company Pictures’ first film, developed while its founders were still at BBC Films. The project was credited as a co-production with BBC Films, reflecting the company’s origins in British film development and its early connection to established public-service film production infrastructure.

• The White QueenTelevision drama series

  A large-scale historical television drama produced through an international collaboration with a Flemish production house. Company Pictures used locations in Ghent and Bruges and structured the production to benefit from European co-production arrangements and investment incentives in Flanders.

• 2026Transfer into Banijay UKM&A

  The merger of Banijay Entertainment and All3Media changed the ownership structure of the company’s parent group.

  What changed. Company Pictures became part of Banijay UK.

  Aftermath. The label entered Banijay’s broader international production network.

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• 2012Transition from founder leadershipOther

  The company’s two founders chose to pursue a new independent production venture.

  What changed. Charles Pattinson and George Faber left Company Pictures.

  Aftermath. John Yorke led the company as managing director until 2015.

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• 2003Join All3MediaM&A

  Company Pictures had developed from a founder-led independent producer into a recognized British scripted-content business.

  What changed. The company became part of All3Media while retaining its production identity.

  Aftermath. The move placed Company Pictures within a larger production and distribution group.

  Source

• 2026Company Pictures moves into Banijay UK

  Company Pictures became part of Banijay UK following the merger between Banijay Entertainment and All3Media, according to the supplied reference material.

  M&A
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• 2015John Yorke is succeeded by Michele Buck

  Michele Buck, previously joint managing director of Mammoth Screen, succeeded John Yorke as managing director.

  Leadership change
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• 2012Founders leave Company Pictures

  Founders Charles Pattinson and George Faber departed the company to establish a separate independent production company.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2003Company Pictures becomes part of All3Media

  Company Pictures joined the All3Media group, bringing the British drama producer into a larger production and distribution network.

  M&A
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1. Company Pictures