Phoebe Waller-Bridge‘s Wells Street Films has signed a two-year first-look deal with Francesca Moody Productions (FMP), the Olivier Award-winning company behind stage versions of “Fleabag” and “Baby Reindeer.”
The agreement gives Wells Street Films first opportunity to develop FMP’s theatrical productions for television. Wells Street, established by Waller-Bridge and Jenny Robins in 2019, currently has an overall deal with Amazon MGM Studios.
The partnership reunites Waller-Bridge with Moody, who first collaborated on the multi-award-winning stage production of “Fleabag,” directed by Vicky Jones, which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2013. Moody later produced “Fleabag” worldwide on behalf of DryWrite, including its run at Wyndham’s Theatre that was broadcast globally by NT Live.
FMP has established itself as a theatrical powerhouse with a proven track record of developing stage productions that evolve into acclaimed television series. Both “Fleabag” and “Baby Reindeer” began as theatrical productions before becoming global TV phenomena. Over its two series, “Fleabag” won six Emmy awards, three BAFTAs and three Golden Globes. The screen adaptation of the Olivier award-winning play “Baby Reindeer” went on to win six Emmy awards and two Golden Globes.
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FMP’s current slate includes “Weather Girl,” written by Brian Watkins, directed by Tyne Rafaeli and starring Julia McDermott, transferring to Soho Theatre from March 5 after its award-winning Edinburgh Festival Fringe run. Other upcoming projects include “Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible is Going to Happen” touring to Sydney Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne and Adelaide Festival; Tim Crouch’s “An Oak Tree” 20th anniversary production at the Young Vic featuring a different guest artist in each performance; “How to Win Against History” at Bristol Old Vic and Edinburgh Festival Fringe; and “Garry Starr: Classic Penguins” returning to Edinburgh Festival Fringe from July 30.
“I am so excited to be partnering with Wells Street on this deal,” said Moody. “This marks an evolution for FMP as we establish ourselves as a home for storytelling and expand the parameters of the work we make. We’re native to theatre, but we also know first-hand how different mediums can feed the other, so this is an incredible opportunity for us to build on our track record and take a more holistic approach to developing shows.”
Waller-Bridge added: “We are thrilled to be partnering with FMP on a first look deal. Francesca Moody has an incredible talent for spotting and developing new writers from theatre and shares our belief that much of the most original work we see on our televisions comes from writers who honed their skill writing for the stage. Years after collaborating on the stage play of ‘Fleabag’ – which would not have happened without her – we can’t wait to work together again.”