London – Sony Pictures Television (SPT) announced it has taken a majority stake in British production company Left Bank Pictures, signalling a significant move into scripted production in the UK.

Under this new agreement, SPT will also distribute future Left Bank Pictures television content, both finished programming and formats, and will have a first look distribution option on feature films produced by the company.

Left Bank Pictures is one of the UK’s leading producers of scripted television programmes and has developed international co productions with partners such as HBO and Mediaset. Titles include Wallander (BBC), Mad Dogs (Sky), Strike Back (Sky/HBO Cinemax), Cardinal Burns (E4) and DCI Banks (ITV) which have received critical acclaim and ratings success all over the world.

Other markets outside the US where SPT produces scripted television locally include Germany, Russia, the Netherlands, The Middle East and across Latin America.