Barbara Pym’s ‘Excellent Women’ Being Adapted by Ellie Wood, Banijay

Banijay U.K. Signs Development Deal with Award-Winning Producer Ellie Wood

Banijay U.K. has recently announced a new development deal with the talented producer Ellie Wood and her company Clearwood Films. This exciting partnership kicks off with the acquisition of the rights to Barbara Pym’s beloved novel “Excellent Women,” with the option to explore further adaptations of Pym’s works.

Under the terms of this agreement, Clearwood Films will have access to funding for developing ideas and treatments, as well as support from various Banijay U.K. resources such as finance, legal, and business affairs. Additionally, once a project is greenlit, Clearwood Films can choose to collaborate with Banijay U.K. companies for co-production. This deal follows a successful first look agreement between Banijay Rights and Clearwood Films that began in 2019. Banijay Rights will continue to handle the distribution of Clearwood projects.

Banijay U.K. CEO Patrick Holland expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, praising Ellie Wood as a brilliant producer known for her exceptional work in the realm of high-quality drama. He highlighted the success of the previous partnership with Clearwood Films and is excited to support Wood’s creative vision.

Ellie Wood also shared her excitement about the new venture, stating her pleasure in continuing the partnership with Banijay and expressing her eagerness to bring Barbara Pym’s iconic novels to life on screen. Wood envisions creating a “Pymverse” that will captivate both existing fans of Pym’s work and a broader TV audience with its British charm and compelling storytelling.

Clearwood Films has several exciting projects in the pipeline, including a yet-to-be-revealed scripted project for a linear broadcaster. Wood is also serving as an executive producer on Film4’s adaptation of Deborah Levy’s novel “Hot Milk,” featuring a stellar cast including Emma Mackey, Fiona Shaw, and Vicky Krieps. Additionally, a political drama titled “49 Days,” based on the turbulent premiership of Liz Truss, is in development with backing from Banijay.

Prior to this partnership, Ellie Wood produced the critically acclaimed Netflix film “The Dig” and the ITV/Britbox series “Stonehouse.” Her track record of delivering compelling and engaging content makes her a valuable addition to Banijay U.K.’s roster of talented creatives.