I’m Ollie Madden, director of Film4 and Channel 4 drama, will be leaving the U.K. broadcaster in October to become director of U.K. film at Netflix.
Madden will be joining the Anne Mensah-led U.K. content team as of early October.
He will lead the streamer’s U.K. film slate and act as the primary U.K. contact for films on Dan Lin’s slate where the intellectual property, talent, and production are based in the U.K. He will also develop a select portfolio of filmmaker-led series.
Madden has worked as both an executive and producer across film and high-end drama. “I’m very excited to work with Anne and Dan to build Netflix’s film business in the U.K.,” he said about his future role.
“I’ve been incredibly proud to spend the past eight years with Film4 and, more recently, Channel 4 Drama, and it’s very hard to say goodbye to all my wonderful colleagues and projects,” Madden said in a Channel 4 statement. “The independence, distinctiveness and mark of quality that Film4 and Channel 4 represent is a precious thing, and I’m confident it will continue to thrive long after my departure.”
Channel 4 said in a staff memo obtained by THR: “We are writing to let you know that after a remarkable eight years at the channel Ollie Madden, Director of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama, will be leaving us in October. Under Ollie’s leadershi,p Film4 has backed a string of critical and commercial hits from many of the most exciting directors working today. He has overseen scores of award-winning films, including 9 Oscar wins for The Favourite, The Father, Poor Things, and The Zone of Interest, and 24 BAFTA wins for Beast, The Favourite, The Father, Rocks, Poor Things, The Zone of Interest, and Earth Mama.”
It added: “Ollie’s commitment, passion and reputation for nurturing talent has seen Film4 not only work with some of the best-known writers and directors in the UK and Ireland but also cement our industry reputation as a huge champion of new talent, backing over 27 debut films and five series by debut writers throughout his Film4 tenure, including Molly Manning-Walker’s How to Have Sex and Rose Glass’ Saint Maud.”
The memo also said: “We are thrilled that Farhana Bhula, Film4’s Head of Creative and Deputy Director, will take over as interim Director of Film4 effective from 1st July. Farhana has worked alongside Ollie to create a culture of ambition, collaboration and artistic excellence, enhancing Film4’s reputation as one of the most pioneering and dynamic teams in the business. With a current slate that epitomises everything Film4 stands for, the team will go from strength to strength under Farhana’s leadership.
Since taking on Channel 4 Drama early in 2024, Ollie and the team have commissioned one of the strongest drama slates in Channel 4’s history, making good on our promise to offer viewers brilliant original drama every month from the start of next year. Stories from each nation of the UK written by diverse talent – both established and new – will be coming to screens soon. Major new shows from Russell T Davies, Daisy Haggard, Jack Thorne, Molly Manning-Walker and Roy Williams, with more to be announced soon, demonstrate Channel 4 at its best, supporting great artists and great work.
With our longstanding reputation as a champion of the most original writers and directors and a slate of shows that will play out through 2026 and 2027, Channel 4 Drama is brilliantly placed for success in the years ahead.
Gwawr Lloyd, Commissioning Editor, Drama, has been working closely with Ollie this past year and has been with the channel for over five years, overseeing acclaimed shows including The Gathering and Somewhere Boy. We are delighted that Gwawr will become Interim Head of Drama reporting to Ian Katz and will join his HoDs from 1st July. Gwawr is passionate about our mandate to take risks and has a clear vision of how Channel 4 Drama will continue to work with the very best British talent as we roll out our new drama slate.
Ollie will continue to oversee the delivery of projects until October, working alongside Farhana and the Film4 team and Gwawr and the Channel 4 Drama team.
While Farhana and Gwawr will oversee their respective teams alone, they will continue working closely together to maximise the synergy between talent relationships
on both sides and will co-exec Molly Manning-Walker’s new show, which we announced only yesterday.
Ollie has been an inspiring creative force, great colleague, and a champion and friend to countless filmmakers. We’re incredibly grateful for his exceptional contribution and wish him all the best for the future, and congratulate Farhana and Gwawr as they build on this remarkable body of work.
