West Midlands scripted production
14 August 2023
Kudos Knight appoints Rem Conway to grow West Midlands scripted production pipeline
Producer Rem Conway
Birmingham based, Sex Education producer, Rem Conway, on mission to find region’s most exciting writing talent
Kudos Knight partnership opens new Digbeth base and Kudos invests an initial £500k in local training and development
Training collaboration with Birmingham Film Academy announced
Kudos Knight, the creative partnership between leading scripted producer Kudos and Create Central Champion, Peaky Blinders, SAS Rogue Heroes and This Town creator Steven Knight, has announced the appointment of Sex Education Producer Rem Conway as their Development Producer to spearhead their ambitious plans to grow a world renowned scripted production hub in the West Midlands.
This new role will support the Kudos Knight management team in developing a vibrant drama slate to be produced in Birmingham. Identifying and nurturing emerging local voices and proven writers from the area, Rem will work closely with the Kudos creative team to bring these projects, which will be made in the West Midlands, to life. Particular focus will be given to championing under-represented and previously unheard voices, to build the most creatively diverse and exciting pool of talent possible.
The partnership also announced the opening of their new Kudos Knight office at the Minerva Works in Birmingham, part of Steven Knight’s Digbeth Loc. Studios development, where Rem will be based.
A Birmingham native, Rem began his career in theatre production before making the transition to film and TV. A writer, producer and director, his production credits include Netflix’s Sex Education, BBC’s My Name is Leon, ITV’s Our House and ITV/Amazon’s Riches.
Passionate about bridging the gap between grassroots creatives and the wider industry, Rem will work closely with local partners, cultural organisations, including theatres and screen agencies, to identify writing talent and broaden the range of the Kudos Knight writer talent base.
Martin Haines, Joint MD of Kudos, said; “Rem is a fantastic addition to the team. He shares our drive to supercharge scripted production in Birmingham and with him on board, a new Digbeth base, a growing pipeline of productions and upcoming investment in local skills, there is real momentum behind the Kudos Knight partnership and the TV industry in Birmingham.”
Rem Conway, Kudos Knight Development Producer, said; “Being a Brummie, this feels like a long-time coming and I am honoured to be a part of the journey. Birmingham is rich with all the ingredients we need to create world-class content and being rooted in Digbeth is the first big step for us. Now we’re rooted, I am focused on our reach. I want to collaborate with trailblazing writers, discover the next generation of storytellers and work with partners that share our determination to succeed. We’re open for business and ready to go!”
The Kudos Knight Partnership is committed to growing the TV and film industry in the West Midlands and set to make substantial long-term financial investment in skills and training to grow the local workforce.
In the first initiative to be announced, Kudos Knight will work in partnership with the Birmingham Film Academy, a boutique, specialist film and television training facility based at Digbeth Loc. Studios. Together they will create access and pathways for local people into the screen industries, providing practical training courses embedded in industry practice to ensure participants have the necessary skills needed to serve the growing production sector in the region.
Steven Knight, said; “Our plan is to change the game in the West Midlands as regards creative industries and in particular TV and film. We will be a globally important content making hub, hosting the world’s best story tellers and producing world beating international productions. To take on the world we need the best of Birmingham on our side. Our doors are open, our story has begun.”
Karen Wilson, Joint MD of Kudos, added; “Birmingham and the West Midlands are a thriving hub of incredibly talented creative people – from writers and directors, to producers and actors. Working with the brilliant Steven Knight we will tell stories inspired by the West Midlands to audiences across the globe. It’s an incredibly exciting time and big things are set to come.”
The Kudos Knight partnership was established to support production and creative development in the region. Kudos (part of Banijay UK), the production company behind Knight’s recent BBC One drama, SAS Rogue Heroes, as well as high profile series including Then You Run, Deadwater Fell, Grantchester, Code 404 and International Emmy winning Responsible Child, signed a deal with Peaky Blinders, SAS Rogue Heroes, Taboo and See creator Steven Knight to build a scripted production pipeline in Birmingham. Kudos have a first look deal with Steven Knight for UK projects, which will be made in Birmingham with Knight’s Digbeth Loc. Studios as its hub.
Production has already been completed on the first title from the Kudos Knight slate, This Town which was filmed on location in Birmingham and Coventry and produced from Digbeth Loc. Studios. The new six-part drama which will air on BBC One in the UK and explores the beginnings of the two tone music scene which grew from the grass roots of Coventry and Birmingham in the late 70s and early 80s. Kudos Knight is also currently developing a new drama series about the life of William Shakespeare, based on a concept by the BAFTA-winning Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire and has several high profile developments on its slate.