Firebird Studios, the production company backed by BBC Studios, has hired BAFTA-winning executive producer Aysha Rafaele, Variety reports.
The report says Firebird was set up by Elizabeth Kilgarriff and Craig Holleworth in 2019 with a 25% stake owned by BBC Studios. BBC Studios is also the company’s global distribution partner.
Rafaele, who will bring her development slate to Firebird, comes from a factual background having exec produced a raft of Louis Theroux’s documentaries, including Savile and Transgender Kids, as well as BBC Three’s The Call Centre. Prior to moving into exec producing, Rafaele spent 10 years directing documentaries and drama including Channel 4’s Skins and RTS award-winning This England.
“I’m thrilled to be embarking on an exhilarating new adventure with Firebird Pictures,” Rafele said in a statement. “Liz has championed and produced some outstanding drama of scale and ambition and I’m really looking forward to working closely with her and Craig, to help take my projects to the next level and expand into exciting new territories. I can’t wait to get started”.
