Lucy Lumsden launches Yellow Door Productions

Former BBC and Sky Head of Comedy, Lucy Lumsden, has started up a new comedy production company. Yellow Door Productions launches with a development deal organised with ABC Studios.

When Lumsden departed Sky in September she said she wanted to get "closer to the creative coal face", and the launch of Yellow Door Productions sees her "embarking on the realisation of that ambition." Based in London, Yellow Door Productions will be developing scripted ideas for the UK and US markets, and the company launches with the announcement of a non-exclusive first look deal with ABC Studios. A spokesperson says: "The deal struck with Yellow Door Productions poses exciting opportunities for UK talent."

During her tenures at both the BBC and Sky, Lumsden was responsible for commissioning hits such as Gavin & Stacey, Outnumbered, Stella, The Thick Of It, Trollied and Miranda. At the forefront of Sky's major investment in content, she commissioned over 60 series, with awards including an International Emmy for Chris O'Dowd's Moone Boy.

Last year, Lumsden wrote and directed her first short film - Honeysuckle - a drama starring Miriam Margolyes which won the Jury Prize at last year's Montreal World Film Festival. In August, she chaired the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2016 panel, and more recently directed the Nish Kumar's Christmas and Trygve Wakenshaw's Christmas shorts for Sky Arts.

Patrick Moran from ABC Studios comments: "Lucy is responsible for some of the UK's most creative and internationally successful television. When we heard that she was making the transition to producer, we jumped at the chance to get into business with her."

Speaking about her deal with ABC, Lumsden says: "I love Patrick's enthusiasm and appreciation for British talent. I'm looking forward to helping ABC Studios find scripted ideas that could translate for the US, while also developing a slate that will work for the UK. I can't think of a more exciting way to kick off this new chapter."

More information on Yellow Door Productions is available via www.yellowdoorprods.com