Variety: Fremantle Lays Off All Staff at ‘Wreck’ Producer Euston Films, Newly-Launched Doc Label Undeniable

Story from Variety:

Fremantle has laid off all the staff at drama producer Euston Films and documentary label Undeniable.

“As part of ongoing strategic planning, we are continuously reviewing measures necessary for creating a more effective, coordinated and streamlined approach to our business to ensure it is in the best position for future success and growth, and to continue to deliver exceptional creativity and world class content for our valued partners and clients around the world,” said a rep for Fremantle.

“As our industry evolves, we must do the same, and with this in mind, we have made the difficult decision to make changes within Fremantle. We want to take this time to thank our colleagues, who have been behind some incredible, award-winning programming, and wish them all the best for the future.”

According to a source, it is “too soon” to confirm what will happen to either Euston Films or Undeniable, with the labels not yet technically shuttered, despite having no staff.

Euston Films, who have produced series including “Wreck” and the forthcoming “Nightsleeper,” was originally founded in 1971 as a subsidiary of Thames Television, producing shows including ’70s favorite “The Sweeney,” before shuttering in 1994. Fremantle, who bought Thames in 2001, subsequently revived Euston Films in 2014 led by managing director Kate Harwood.

Undeniable was only launched last March under the purview of Fremantle’s global head of docs Mandy Chang. The vision was for the label, which sat under Fremantle’s docs division, to develop and produce premium projects. The label has a slew of documentaries out this year, including Chris Smith’s “Devo,” about the new wave band, and Penny Lane’s “Mrs. America,” about the Mrs. America beauty pageant.

Chang, Harwood and Harwood’s co-MD Noemi Spanos are among those leaving.

“Kate Harwood and Noemi Spanos would like to thank the teams, the talent and the broadcasters we’ve worked with over the last ten years of Euston Films and also Fremantle for the faith they have shown in us,” said Harwood and Spanos in a statement. “We are very proud of the seven bold authored shows we have made in this time and are looking forward to future projects and challenges.”

Chang said “I’m proud to have played a role in setting up and building Fremantle’s documentary division and in founding and leading the Fremantle’s premium label, Undeniable. However, the time has come to move on and focus on my own slate of films in the independent documentary field. The diversity of films and people that I’ve been fortunate to work with – my own team included – has been a joy. It has been a privilege working with Fremantle’s global documentary labels and I wish them all success in the future.”

Deadline first reported the news of the redundancies.