A24 is making a bold move in the UK television market, announcing the recruitment of two of Britain’s most influential TV drama producers, Laura Lankester and Will Johnston. Both are stepping down from their roles as co-CEOs of Lookout Point, a BBC Studios-owned company renowned for its high-profile dramas such as "Les Miserables," "A Suitable Boy," "War & Peace," "Gentleman Jack," "Renegade Nell," and the final season of "Happy Valley." Their arrival marks a significant expansion of A24’s international television operations, particularly in the UK, where the studio is rapidly growing its slate of original series.
Joining forces with existing UK leaders Piers Wenger and Rose Garnett—both former BBC executives recruited by A24 in 2022—Lankester and Johnston will help shape and expand the studio’s global television output from London. This strategic hiring underscores A24’s commitment to creative excellence and its ambition to become a powerhouse in the international TV drama scene.
Despite leaving their executive roles at Lookout Point this autumn, Lankester and Johnston will continue to oversee ongoing projects with BBC Studios. Notably, they will remain involved in Netflix’s eagerly anticipated adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice," penned by Dolly Alderton and starring Emma Corrin, Jack Lowden, and Olivia Colman. Additionally, Lankester will supervise BritBox’s upcoming limited series "Tommy and Tuppence," also produced in partnership with Lookout Point and BBC Studios.
The duo’s track record at Lookout Point is impressive. Their executive producer credits include two seasons of Sally Wainwright’s "Gentleman Jack" (BBC/HBO), the Disney+ original "Renegade Nell," the final seasons of "Last Tango in Halifax" (BBC) and "Happy Valley" (BBC/AMC), and the acclaimed adaptation of Vikram Seth’s "A Suitable Boy" (BBC). Both began their careers at the BBC, with Lankester script producing landmark series such as Andrew Davies’ "War and Peace" and "Les Miserables," while Johnston contributed as a script editor on "War & Peace" and "To Walk Invisible."
In a joint statement, Lankester and Johnston expressed enthusiasm about their new roles at A24, saying, "We are excited and invigorated to join A24. Their commitment to creative excellence is an inspiration, and to build with Piers and Rose is a wonderful new opportunity. Our time at Lookout Point has been a real joy and incredibly formative. We are deeply grateful to the colleagues and friends we have been honoured to work with, and to BBC Studios for ten years of success and partnership."
BBC Studios head of scripted content Mark Linsey also acknowledged their departure, wishing them well and expressing confidence in Lookout Point’s future. "The label remains in excellent creative health, with several unannounced projects in development, and we’ll be announcing new leadership shortly," he said, adding, "I want to thank them both for their outstanding contributions and I’m excited for this next stage of Lookout Point’s story." Linsey was pleased that Lankester and Johnston will continue to manage key productions like "Pride and Prejudice" and "Tommy and Tuppence" on behalf of Lookout Point.
A24’s UK expansion comes amid a surge in its British series slate, bolstered by significant capital investment. The company recently secured a $250 million funding round, including a $75 million contribution from Josh Kushner’s Thrive Capital, valuing A24 at $3.5 billion. This financial backing is fueling an ambitious slate of projects across major platforms.
Among the recent commissions are Molly Manning Walker’s "Major Players" for Channel 4, a series debut from the director of "How to Have Sex," and Miriam Battye’s "The Husbands" starring Juno Temple for Apple TV+. Channel 4 is also home to Leo Reich’s "It Gets Worse," while Michaela Coel’s follow-up to "I May Destroy You," titled "First Day on Earth," is being developed for BBC and HBO. Alice Birch’s "Ministry of Time" is another upcoming BBC project under the A24 banner.
Further collaborations include Adam Curtis’ BBC series "Shifty," the second season of the BBC/Showtime hit "Dreaming Whilst Black," and Kat Sadler’s "Such Brave Girls." A24 is also behind adaptations of "Magnolia Parks" and a Liverpool FC series penned by Jack Thorne, known for his work on "Adolescence."
A24 first made a significant entry into UK television in 2022 by hiring Garnett and Wenger, signaling its intent to build a robust international TV division. The addition of Lankester and Johnston strengthens this foundation, bringing in seasoned producers with deep experience in critically acclaimed British drama.
With this leadership team in place, A24 is poised to make an even bigger impact on the UK and global television landscape. The company’s focus on high-quality, distinctive storytelling aligns with the talents of Lankester and Johnston, who have been instrumental in bringing some of the UK’s most celebrated dramas to life.
As A24 continues to invest in and develop diverse and compelling content, industry watchers will be keen to see how the studio’s UK slate evolves under this new leadership. For now, the move signals a clear message: A24 is serious about expanding its footprint and influence in the international television market, leveraging the expertise of some of the UK’s finest producers to do so.
