Yahoo Lifestyle ‘Downton Abbey’ Producer Liz Trubridge & Actor Matt Barber Launch Production Company
EXCLUSIVE: Emmy-winning Downton Abbey producer Liz Trubridge is reuniting with actor Matt Barber to launch a production company.
New Empire Pictures will forge a slate of TV shows and movies that it said will “merge strategic finance with creative excellence and precisely targeted sales and distribution strategies.”
More from Deadline
The company launches with the support of Edoardo Bussi of Twenty-Nine Palms Entertainment as Strategic Sales Consultant.
Trubridge is a decorated British producer who worked across Downton Abbey for years, scooping an Emmy in 2011 for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie and nominated for several more. She worked on the more recent Downton films and is a producer on Peacock-Sky’s upcoming Lockerbie: A Search for Truth. She has been three-times BAFTA nominated for Downton, A Short Stay in Switzerland and The Riff Raff Element.
Barber worked with Trubridge on Season 5 of Downton, in which he played Atticus Aldridge. Past credits include Being Human, Dagr and Dracula. He previously ran a smaller indie with Trubridge, Malimi Productions, which is no longer in operation.
Barber said: “New Empire Pictures is committed to creating and supporting the highest-quality cross-media projects with a clearly defined route to market. By fostering sustainable investment partnerships and collaborating with exceptional associates to develop and support projects through the entire production process, we aim to accelerate green lights for the very best content available.”
Trubridge, who will be an EP and Consultant Strategic Advisor, said she is “looking forward to building a creative and progressive relationship with the company for unique and long-lasting partnerships with collaborators old and new.” “New Empire Pictures aims to be a nurturing and creative hub for the best and most exciting ambitious stories and as part of that creative process they are committed to championing creative opportunities for those entering the industry,” she added.
The new company comes as ex-Downton Abbey commissioner Laura Mackie steps down from her role running fellow UK drama label Mainstreet Pictures.
Best of Deadline
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
