Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Tuesday 25 February 2025
Technicolor struggles, SAG snubs Anora, Maria wins ASC, UK expands studios, BBC's Dope Girls, Kaufman’s new film, Bond casting shift, tax fraud drama, Spirit Awards move, DC projects progress.
Today’s Highlights:
Technicolor Faces Global Implosion, UK Workforce Redundant - Technicolor has made most of its 440 UK employees redundant, with its French divisions in receivership and the company filing for administration in the UK amid severe financial struggles.
SAG Awards: Anora Snubbed, Chalamet Triumphs - Anora was shut out at the 2025 SAG Awards, while Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor for A Complete Unknown and Only Murders in the Building won Best Comedy Series.
ASC Awards: ‘Maria’ Wins Top Film Prize - Edward Lachman won the ASC Award for Best Cinematography for Maria, starring Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas, boosting its chances at the Oscars.
UK Expands Film Studio Infrastructure to Compete with Hollywood - The UK is investing in major studio expansions like Pinewood and Shinfield to attract global productions, despite environmental concerns.
BBC’s ‘Dope Girls’ Transforms Welsh Studio into 1918 Soho - BBC’s six-part drama Dope Girls, starring Julianne Nicholson, recreates post-WWI Soho with a modern sensibility and rock soundtrack.
Eddie Redmayne, Tessa Thompson, and Patsy Ferran to Star in Charlie Kaufman’s New Film - Charlie Kaufman will write and direct Later The War, adapted from Debby’s Dream House, about a man who manufactures dreams that turn into nightmares.
James Bond Casting Director Debbie McWilliams Retires - After over 40 years casting Bond actors from Timothy Dalton to Daniel Craig, Debbie McWilliams is stepping down, sparking speculation over her successor.
Jan Schomburg Discusses Tax Fraud Drama ‘Other People’s Money’ - Premiering at the Berlin Film Festival, Other People’s Money explores cum-ex tax fraud schemes through the story of two characters exploiting legal loopholes.
Spirit Awards Relocate Due to the 2028 Olympics—The Film Independent Spirit Awards will move from Santa Monica Beach next year due to Olympic construction, but they plan to return after the Games.
DC Studios' Slate Updates: Progress Amid Challenges - James Gunn and Peter Safran confirmed Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is halfway through production, while Lanterns has begun filming amid delays for other DC projects.
Plus: News, Insights, Festivals & Markets, Executive Moves, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with ITV, Gaumont, BFI, Fox, Mediawan & Canal+.
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NEWS
SAG Awards: Anora Snubbed, Chalamet Triumphs
Despite recent major wins, Anora was unexpectedly shut out at the 2025 SAG Awards. Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor for portraying Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Wicked, with five nominations, went home empty-handed, while Only Murders in the Building surprised as the comedy series winner. Read More
ASC Awards: ‘Maria’ Wins Top Film Prize
At the 39th annual ASC Awards, Edward Lachman won the top Theatrical Feature Film prize for Maria. The Netflix film, starring Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas, marks its first major award. The ASC Awards winner often predicts the Best Cinematography Oscar, for which Maria was also nominated. Other winners included Jomo Fray for Nickel Boys and Pepe Avila del Pino for "313." Read More
Technicolor Faces Global Implosion, UK Workforce Redundant
Technicolor has made most of its 440 UK employees redundant and ceased most activities. The VFX giant is also struggling in other major markets, with its French divisions entering receivership. Despite seeking investment or new owners, the company faces severe financial challenges and has filed for administration in the UK. Read More
Channel 5 Launches 'Drama of the Week' Initiative
Channel 5 is launching a new drama strand called 'Drama of the Week,' commissioning six one-hour standalone dramas produced by Vertigo Films and LA Productions. This initiative aims to spotlight low-income talent behind the scenes. The first three dramas will air this autumn, with the remaining three in early 2026. Channel 5 also announced a diverse director initiative in collaboration with Clapperboard. Read More
INSIGHTS
BBC's 'Dope Girls' Transforms Welsh Studio into 1918 Soho
BBC's six-part series 'Dope Girls,' produced by Bad Wolf and Sony Pictures Television, transforms a Welsh studio into 1918 Soho. Starring Julianne Nicholson, the drama depicts women in post-WWI London running illegal nightclubs. Created by Polly Stenham and Alex Warren, it is based on Marek Kohn’s book. The series, directed by Shannon Murphy, features a modern sensibility and a rock soundtrack. Read More
Marg Downey's Transformation: Comedy Icon to TV's Best Villain
Marg Downey, known for her comedic roles in The D-Generation and Fast Forward, is now celebrated for her portrayal of Evelyn Walters in The Newsreader. Viewers are divided over Evelyn, some finding her horrible and others admiring her motivations. Downey’s depiction of the Machiavellian character adds tension and depth to the show, highlighting her versatility and powerful on-screen presence. Read More
UK Expands Film Studio Infrastructure to Compete with Hollywood
The UK is rapidly growing its film and TV production sector with major studio developments, including Pinewood’s expansion and the proposed Shinfield Studios. Government-backed planning reforms and tax incentives aim to attract global productions, though projects like The Grove face opposition over environmental concerns. With increased investment, the UK is on track to become a leading production hub. Read More
Nicôle Lecky’s ‘Wild Cherry’ Explores Wealth in Modern Britain
Nicôle Lecky’s BBC thriller 'Wild Cherry' delves into the lives of the super-rich in gated communities. Starring Eve Best and Carmen Ejogo, the series follows Lorna, a self-made businesswoman, and Juliet, her privileged friend. Their children’s involvement in a scandal at an exclusive school tests their friendship. Lecky aims to portray generational wealth and class intersections authentically. Read More
Jan Schomburg Discusses Tax Fraud Drama ‘Other People’s Money’
Jan Schomburg's series 'Other People’s Money,' exploring tax fraud, premieres at the Berlin Film Festival. Inspired by real investigations, the drama features characters like Bernd and Sven, who exploit tax rules. Schomburg adds a rom-com twist to their relationship. The series delves into the complex world of cum-ex trades and the quest to expose financial misconduct. Read More
Neil Cross on New Series ‘Iris’
Neil Cross, creator of Luther, shifts from East London's grime to sunny Italy in his new Sky U.K. thriller series, Iris. Starring Niamh Algar as Iris Nixon, the show draws inspiration from 1960s British spy series. Iris, a genius puzzler, steals a powerful code and goes on the run. Cross aims to create a light, entertaining show, contrasting his previous dark work. Read More
Gen Z's Transparency on Salaries Transforming Hollywood
A 20-something making $80,000 annually discusses his financial journey candidly, reflecting a Gen Z trend. Starting at $30,000 in L.A., his raise to $80,000 highlights his privileged debt-free background. Gen Z's radical pay transparency is reshaping the entertainment industry, advocating for equitable pay and fostering open financial conversations, impacting Hollywood's future dynamics. Read More
Channel 5’s Ben Frow Eyes Fresh Content Strategy
Channel 5 is set to undergo a significant rebranding, uniting its linear and on-demand services under the singular name "5." This move aims to streamline viewer experience and align with modern content consumption trends. Chief Content Officer Ben Frow emphasised the broadcaster's commitment to flexing its public service broadcasting muscles, experimenting with new formats, and making substantial investments in drama. Popular series like "All Creatures Great and Small" and "Dalgliesh" are confirmed to return, reflecting the channel's dedication to delivering diverse and high-quality programming. Read More
BBC’s Clare Sillery on Rebuilding Trust Through Documentary Filmmaking
BBC Head of Documentaries Clare Sillery stresses the need for skilled filmmaking to regain audience trust, acknowledging that viewers increasingly believe individuals over institutions. She advocates for authentic storytelling to reconnect audiences and unite perspectives. Sillery focuses on fostering credibility in documentary content amid shifting public perception. Read More
Netflix’s UK Investment Signals Stability Amid Industry Changes
Chris Curtis highlights how Netflix’s focus on mainstream content and continued investment in UK productions should reassure local rivals. Despite reduced global content spending, Netflix plans to allocate a significant portion of its $18 billion 2025 budget to UK projects, reinforcing the region’s importance in its strategy. This shift signals optimism for the UK’s creative sector. Read More
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