A major new international TV production company has been launched, based in London, New York and Los Angeles. Cove Pictures, led by Heather Rabbatts, will produce high-end drama and comedy as well as blue-chip factual programmes for the international market.

Cove Pictures is a joint venture between Patrick Milling-Smith and Brian Carmody, the co-founders of Smuggler Inc., and Red Arrow Entertainment.

Red Arrow will hold a minority stake in the company and will distribute Cove Pictures projects internationally.

Cove Pictures has also forged a creative alliance with Eon Productions, the film and television company run by Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, to develop a number of shows for the international market. More details will be announced on forthcoming projects in the coming months.

Heather Rabbatts, Managing Director of Cove Pictures commented: “I am delighted to be leading this company at such an exciting time in the sector, to be working with the very best of talent both on and off screen from across the creative media industries, and to provide an opportunity to discover the new voices of the future.”

Barbara Broccoli, Eon Productions said: “Michael and I are thrilled to be developing an exciting slate of television programmes with Cove Pictures.”

Patrick Milling-Smith, commented: “Cove Pictures is bringing together like minded and creatively driven people who I have long wanted to collaborate with. This is a new and vibrant time in television and I feel bullish and excited by our partners and the prospects ahead.”

Jan Frouman, Chairman & CEO of Red Arrow Entertainment Group, said: “We are excited to be working alongside such visionary people as Barbara, Michael, Heather, Patrick, Brian and their teams. Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson have been at the forefront of creating not just extraordinary movies, but also nurturing young talent in both film and theatre. Smuggler is also a hugely dynamic, creative and talent-driven company, and Cove Pictures will be a great opportunity to champion talent through a wealth of new TV projects.”

Red Arrow Entertainment Group was advised on the investment by Stella Advisors and Sheridans.  

About Eon Productions 

EON Productions Limited, owned and controlled by the Broccoli/Wilson family, is the UK based production company which produces the James Bond films.  Led by Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, it has produced some of the most successful Bond films ever including CASINO ROYALE, QUANTUM OF SOLACE and SKYFALL.  Wilson, Broccoli and Eon have also co-produced and co-financed several successful theatrical productions that have played in the West End and on Broadway, including “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, “A Steady Rain”, “Chariots of Fire”, and the multiple Tony winning musical “Once”. Wilson, Broccoli and Eon are also involved in several independent film projects including executive producing A SILENT STORM starring Damian Lewis and Andrea Riseborough, directed by Corinna Villari-McFarlane.

About Patrick Milling-Smith & Brian Carmody

Patrick Milling-Smith & Brian Carmody are theatre, commercial, immersive media and television producers who co-founded international production company SMUGGLER and Virtual Reality’s leading story-telling studio, Vrse.works with director and digital artist Chris Milk. 

Patrick and Brian have been fortunate enough to work on projects that have been awarded the coveted Cannes Lions Palme d’Or three times as well as multiple Cannes Lions Grand Prix, AICP Awards, Tony’s, Olivier’s, the Emmy, the Grammy and D&AD Pencils.

Notable theatre productions include the Broadway adaptation by Enda Walsh of the eight-time Tony-winning musical Once directed by John Tiffany and Theresa Rebeck’s play Seminar, directed by Sam Gold. Patrick is currently at work producing adaptions of Robert Evans’ memoir The Kid Stays In The Picture and Lynn Nottage’s play Ivory Highway.

Upcoming film projects include a remake of cult classic Wild Geese, written by Academy Award winner William Monahan and Becket, also adapted by William Monahan and to be directed by Michael Mann. Patrick & Brian teamed up again with Once scribe Enda Walsh to produce Weightless, a drama starring Alessandro Novola directed by Jaron Albertin, due for release fall of 2016.