ITV Studios has added a high-end drama label to its stable of scripted indies, headed by producer Preethi Mavahalli.
Launching in April, Paper Mill Productions will develop and produce premium scripted content designed for UK and global audiences, with ITV Studios handling international distribution.
Currently creative director of ITVS label Poison Pen Studios, Mavahalli will head the new outfit, where she will be joined by fellow Poison Pen exec Luke Woellhalf.
He takes an executive producer role, having been director of development at both Poison Pen and prior to that, Left Bank Pictures.
At Poison Pen, head of IP acquisitions Fern McCauley becomes head of development.
Mavahalli and Woellhalf collaborated on the indie's two upcoming ITV dramas: love story Adultery and serial killer thriller The Dark.
Prior to her four years at Poison Pen, Mavahalli spent a year as creative director, drama at Sky Studios.
She was previously director of drama at Mammoth Screen, where she developed and executive produced BBC1’s The Serpent, The War of the Worlds and Noughts + Crosses and BBC2’s The City and the City.
Mavahalli said: “Almost my entire television career has been as part of ITV Studios so it only felt natural to take this exciting and significant step as part of the family.
“I’m thrilled to launch this new venture and continue to collaborate with exceptional storytellers and creatives, Julian [Bellamy, ITVS managing director], and the wonderfully talented team at ITV Studios.”
Paper Mill joins ITVS’ established British drama labels Quay Street Productions, World Productions, Happy Prince, Mammoth Screen, Hartswood Films and Moonage Pictures.
