Netflix Hires Ollie Madden, Director of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama, to Oversee U.K. Film

Ollie Madden, director of Film4 and Channel 4 drama, will be leaving the U.K. broadcaster in October to become director of U.K. film at Netflix.

Madden will be joining the Anne Mensah-led U.K. content team as of early October.

He will lead the streamer’s U.K. film slate and act as the primary U.K. contact for films on Dan Lin’s slate where the intellectual property, talent, and production are based in the U.K., “with the exception of family films for the U.S./Canada, including Narnia and Dahl, which will continue to be overseen by Racheline Benveniste,” Netflix said.

He will also develop a select portfolio of filmmaker-led series.

Madden has worked as both an executive and producer across film and high-end drama. “I’m very excited to work with Anne and Dan to build Netflix’s film business in the U.K.,” he said about his future role.

“I’ve been incredibly proud to spend the past eight years with Film4 and, more recently, Channel 4 Drama, and it’s very hard to say goodbye to all my wonderful colleagues and projects,” Madden said in a Channel 4 statement. “The independence, distinctiveness and mark of quality that Film4 and Channel 4 represent is a precious thing, and I’m confident it will continue to thrive long after my departure.”

Farhana Bhula, Film4’s head of creative and deputy director, will take over as interim director of Film4, effective from July 1.

Gwawr Lloyd, commissioning editor, drama, will become interim head of drama at Channel 4, reporting to Ian Katz.

Channel 4 said in a staff memo obtained by THR: “We are writing to let you know that after a remarkable eight years at the channel Ollie Madden, Director of Film4 and Channel 4 Drama, will be leaving us in October. Under Ollie’s leadershi,p Film4 has backed a string of critical and commercial hits from many of the most exciting directors working today. He has overseen scores of award-winning films, including 9 Oscar wins for The Favourite, The Father, Poor Things, and The Zone of Interest, and 24 BAFTA wins for Beast, The Favourite, The Father, Rocks, Poor Things, The Zone of Interest, and Earth Mama.”

It added: “Ollie’s commitment, passion and reputation for nurturing talent has seen Film4 not only work with some of the best-known writers and directors in the UK and Ireland but also cement our industry reputation as a huge champion of new talent, backing over 27 debut films and five series by debut writers throughout his Film4 tenure, including Molly Manning-Walker’s How to Have Sex and Rose Glass’ Saint Maud.”

The memo also lauded Bhula. “Farhana has worked alongside Ollie to create a culture of ambition, collaboration and artistic excellence, enhancing Film4’s reputation as one of the most pioneering and dynamic teams in the business,” it said. “With a current slate that epitomizes everything Film4 stands for, the team will go from strength to strength under Farhana’s leadership.”