As we previously reported, and confirmed by Deadline, Sony Pictures Television has taken a majority stake in His Dark Materials, I Hate Suzie and future Doctor Who producer Bad Wolf.
The deal includes the Wolf Studios Wales sound stage facility in Cardiff along with Bad Wolf’s 30% stake in sister company Bad Wolf America. Sony also bought out Sky, HBO and Access Entertainment’s minority stakes in Bad Wolf.
We are delighted to announce that @SPTV are our new partners, joining us for the next era of TV production here in Wales. Thank you to all the Wolfpack and the constant support from #accessentertainment, @HBO @SkyUK https://t.co/kIkKrgN2mF
— Bad Wolf (@BadWolf_TV) December 1, 2021
Co-founded in 2015 by Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner – and now joined by Natasha Hale, Bad Wolf has partnered with SPT in a deal thought to be worth close to £60m.
Sony is thought to be the best cultural fit because the Bad Wolf co-founders have previously worked with SPT president of international production Wayne Garvie. The speed at which Sony agreed to the purchase and its willingness to support the Welsh presence of Cardiff-headquartered Bad Wolf were also reported factors.
It was just announced last month that Bad Wolf would partner with BBC Studios to produce Doctor Who with Russell T Davies returning as showrunner.
Tranter and Gardner worked with Davies on the 2005 relaunch of Doctor Who.
Broadcast Now reports Davies will begin filming for the Doctor Who 60th anniversary special, to air in 2023, sometime in 2022. Davies will also showrun Doctor Who “series beyond” the 2023 special.