European production and distribution giant Studiocanal has appointed Patrick Schweitzer as CEO of Red Production Company.
Red is one of Studiocanal’s growing group of creative production companies in the UK and Europe. With Neil Gaiman’s Anansi Boys in co-production with Endor Productions for delivery to Prime Video in 2024, Red’s most recent series include the award-winning It’s A Sin (Channel Four) Years and Years starring Emma Thompson (BBC One), No Return starring Sheridan Smith (ITV) and Harlan Coben’s Stay Close for Netflix.
For the past 30 years Schweitzer has worked across high-end television drama with an array of writing and creative talent. Prior to joining RED, he spent five years at Tall Story Pictures and has executive produced high-profile shows including ITV’S Grace, Redemption and the second series of Bancroft and The Bay. Previously he was producer in development on Sky’s Gangs of London, having produced Sky’s hugely acclaimed Save Me, the BBC’s SSGB, The Interceptor, Doctor Who and the final series of ITV’s Whitechapel.
During his career as a location manager then line producer, Patrick spent years nurturing the marriage of creative minds with the realities of real-world filming. He was involved in launching numerous returning TV series with award-winning credits including Ashes to Ashes, Spooks, Hustle, The Hour, Blackpool, Call the Midwife, and the feature film Les Misérables.
Schweitzer said: “To join this highly regarded company and to be working with Studiocanal, whose iconic catalogue continues to resonate across the globe, is utterly thrilling. With offices in Manchester and London, my ambition is to build on this amazing legacy of shows and the company’s tradition as a home to outstanding creative talent. The aim is for us to continue making both mainstream entertainment and bolder character-driven drama, to celebrate stories that encourage new reflection on the familiar and nurture writing that delivers deeper insights into our human condition.”
Anna Marsh, CEO of Studiocanal and deputy CEO of CANAL+ Group, added: “Patrick will be an incredible asset to Red. He already has an extraordinary portfolio of drama to his name and an innate ability to create programming that is relatable to every kind of audience. He shares Studiocanal’s global mission to bring stories to the screen that have both a local and international resonance with real people. Passionate about story-telling in all its forms, Patrick’s relationships with writers, acting talent, broadcasters and his team members are second to none. We are thrilled to know that Red is in such excellent hands.”
