Independent Talent Revenue Surges To Five-Year High But Agency Warns Of Strike Hit; Sale Talk Yet To Materialize

EXCLUSIVE: Independent Talent, the London talent agency to stars including Claire Foy and Daniel Craig, had a bright financial year but has warned of storm clouds ahead after the U.S. strikes.

The Duncan Heath-run agency’s revenue surged nearly 7% to £46.1M ($58.7M) in the 12 months to the end of March 2023 — its best year of sales since 2018.

Independent Talent’s pre-tax profit stood at £9M last March, which was an increase of 109% on £4.3M the previous year, according to a financial filing on UK’s Companies House.

The company said five-year high sales were linked to the “strength of talent management and staff retention.” It had 57 agents on its books, which was in line with 2022.

Independent Talent also made £7.3M from selling its 22.05% stake in Killing Eve producer Sid Gentle Films to BBC Studios, as first reported by Deadline. It is entitled to two further payments depending on Sid Gentle’s performance.

The agency warned, however, that its performance after March 2023 was “lower than expected” because of the U.S. writers strike. It also blamed the “general timing of commissions.”

Independent Talent’s potential sale did not materialize in 2023. Variety reported last June that the agency was in a period of “due diligence” with an unknown private equity buyer.

Independent Talent’s accounts do not make mention of a sale and a financial filing regarding its shareholders in December did not feature any significant changes.

According to the filing, Ron Burkle‘s investment company The Yucaipa Companies still owns 49% of the shares in Independent Talent. Heath owns 15.3% of the agency.

Heath did not respond to a request for comment.

Independent Talent’s client roster includes established actors including Jodie Comer, Lennie James, and Elisabeth Moss, as well as breakout stars like Heartstopper’s Kit Connor.