ITV Studios continues to strengthen its global scripted production base as it increases its stake in Monumental Television from 26% to a 51% majority in the UK production company. The agreement will see the label, founded by Oscar nominated film producers Alison Owen and Debra Hayward, become a more integral part of ITV Studios.

ITV Studios Global Entertainment has held a minority stake in the company since its launch in 2015, and ITVS GE will continue distributing television productions worldwide.

Recent TV productions include three series of Harlots, exclusively commissioned by Hulu since series two and available via Starzplay in the UK, and Ghosts on BBC One. The comedy series, created, written and featuring the team behindHorrible Histories, is the top comedy series on UK television so far this year with a consolidated series average of 3.7m and has already been recommissioned for a second season. Monumental Television is in advanced development on several other major scripted series.

Owen is the producer behind high-end television dramas Case Histories and the Emmy award winning Temple Grandin. She is also producer of numerous award-winning feature films, including the Oscar nominated Saving Mr Banks and Jane Eyre.  Hayward is the producer of the upcoming movie adaptation of the legendary stage musical, CATS and the Golden Globe winning Les Misérables and BAFTA nominated, Mary Queen of Scots.  She was formerly Head of Film at Working Title Films where she was responsible for many of the company’s hit movies.

Julian and Maxine Gardner, ITV Studios UK Finance Director, join Alison, Debra and Ruth Berry, Managing Director ITVS GE, on the board.

Monumental Television joins a diverse global portfolio of drama producers in ITV Studios including Mammoth Screen, World Productions, Tall Story Pictures, Silverprint Pictures, Patrick Spence, Cattleya, Tetra Media, Apple Tree Productions, Jeff Pope, ITV Studios international labels and Big Talk.