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His Fulwell 73 U.K. production company will now have a development deal with the studio behind James Corden's breakout late night show.
The Late Late Show producer Ben Winston and his Fulwell 73 production company are laying down roots at CBS TV Studios.
The news comes a year and a half into Winston’s tenure at the CBS-produced late night show, which has garnered widespread critical praise along with its first Emmy nomination in the uber-competitive variety category. As part of the development deal, the independent U.K.-based production company will create all forms of TV — scripted, unscripted and digital — for the studio, with plans to develop for all linear and digital platforms.
Los Angeles-based Winston, who’s joined at the company by partners Leo Pearlman, Ben Turner and Gabe Turner, has already found stateside success with the sale of a Carpool Karaoke spin-off series to Apple Music. Much like the hugely popular Late Late Show segment, the stand-alone entry will feature 16 episodes in which stars drive around singing their favorite songs. (What the latter does not include is host James Corden in the driver’s seat.)
“Ben and Fulwell’s creativity and willingness to take risks have made them one of the U.K.’s most versatile, award-winning producers,” noted CBS TV Studios president David Stapf in a statement announcing the news Tuesday. “Now, with Ben working his magic in the U.S., he has redefined the late night arena with The Late Late Show with James Corden, turning it into a multiple Emmy-nominated late night talk show in just its first season. The new Carpool Karaoke weekly series is a great start to our partnership with Fulwell 73, and we look forward to more unique and innovative programming across different platforms.”
Added Winston, a member of THR’s Next Gen Class of 2015: “I am so delighted that we are partnering with CBS Television Studios. David Stapf and his team have been the greatest partners on The Late Late Show, and I am so excited about what else we can do together going forward.”
Pearlman echoed Winston’s enthusiasm, highlighting the opportunities as the company best known for its work across the pond turns its attention to the U.S. market. “It’s always been a dream of ours to expand into the U.S., and after the success of The Late Late Show, the opportunity to do so in partnership with CBS Television Studios is one that we can’t wait to start,” he said. “Less than 10 years since forming the company, we now have a chance to create content with America’s most-watched network, and we couldn’t be more excited.”
To date, Fulwell’s work has spanned TV, film, commercials and music videos. Among its efforts: the forthcoming Usain Bolt doc I Am Bolt, which will be released globally by Universal, as well as David Beckham’s Class of 92, also with Universal, and the record-breaking doc Gary Barlow: On Her Majesty's Service.
Perhaps even higher in profile, at least among the tween set, is the company's work with One Direction. Winston, who served as an executive producer on Britain’s The X Factor, has produced and directed movies, docs and music videos for the group.
James Corden
