Avalon buys into Adolescence director’s label

Taskmaster outfit Avalon has taken a minority stake in It’s All Made Up Productions, the indie founded by Boiling Point duo Philip Barantini and Samantha Beddoe. 

Barantini, who recently directed global Netflix smash Adolescence, and long-time collaborator and co-executive producer Beddoe launched It’s All Made Up just over a year ago, with a focus on drama and documentary titles for TV and film. 

The deal, which follows discussions that began last year, will align Barantini and Beddoe’s company with Avalon’s production might and its global talent management business committed to supporting distinctive creative talent. 

It’s All Made Up already has a base in London with plans to open an office in the duo’s home city of Liverpool. The label has a slate of productions already in development with major broadcasters, studios and streamers in the UK and US.  

Broadcast understands that one of the factors that drew Barantini and Beddoe to Avalon is that the company will have the autonomy to continue to pursue its own projects and creative partners.

The pair, who are co-chief execs, launched It’s All Made Up with a commitment to championing lesser-known and underrepresented voices and stories. 

Beddoe said: “We’re delighted to be announcing our partnership with Avalon. They have a really good understanding of how we want to work; we’re an independent company that values creativity above all else, working with the best of the best to make dramas, films and documentaries with a global ambition. Avalon can help us do this and we look forward to the journey ahead with them.” 

Barantini added: “We want to tell powerful stories that resonate and provoke through film, television and documentaries on the biggest scale possible. We are deeply passionate about the industry and where we come from and this partnership with Avalon will take us to the next level.” 

After pioneering the method of one-shot filming in breakout 2021 UK feature Boiling Point, starring Stephen Graham – which has since spun out into a BBC1 series – Barantini’s use of the technique contributed to the success of Adolescence, co-written by and starring Graham. Barantini exec produces on Adolescence for It’s All Made Up.  

Beddoe teamed up with Barantini as exec producer on the Boiling Point film and has an extensive background in production finance having controlled and run production budgets for Disney, Lucasfilm, FX Networks and BBC, among others.  

The pair co-produced Netflix feature Accused, while Barantini’s other creative credits include The Responder (BBC1) and Malpractice (ITV1). Beddoe’s credits include, What’s Love Got To Do With It, Atlanta and the upcoming Disney+ sci-fi series The Acolyte.  

Avalon chief exec, Laura Kennedy, added: “Sam and Phil are incredibly talented producers, with exceptional taste and creative vision. We are thrilled to be partnering with them on the growth of their company, and their slate of upcoming projects.” 

Avalon was advised by David Strong at Marriott Harrison, while It’s All Made Up was advised by Hasham Khan, founder of ABP Advisory. 

“I’m proud to have advised Phil and Sam on this deal. This is just the start for us on this journey to build a transatlantic production powerhouse, and in Avalon, I believe we’ve identified the perfect partner. Phil and Sam’s development slate is stacked with such premium projects with global appeal and A-list talent attached from both the UK and the US,” Khan said.  

“This deal will allow them to invest in the company’s infrastructure to produce shows in-house, maximise rights retention and ultimately, build their own studio.” 

It’s All Made Up Productions is repped by Independent Talent in the UK and by CAA and Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett & Kole in the US. The company is managed by Untitled in the US. Lucy Strauss, Alistair Mavor and Ria Sadrudin from Lee & Thompson handled the deal.