‘The Late Late Show’ Producer & Ex-Monkey Exec Set Up BBC Studios-Backed Jolly Octopus

BBC Studios has backed Jolly Octopus, a production company founded by The Late Late Show with James Coden executive producer James Longman and Ollie Brack, a former Monkey executive.

Longman, who was an integral part of the Emmy-winning success of The Late Late Show, and Brack will develop entertainment shows for global audiences. BBC Studios will take a slice of the IP and distribution rights. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Brack, the former head of entertainment and comedy at NBC-backed Monkey, and Longman first met while working at MTV in 2001. “We have always believed TV has a big part to play in people’s lives and we have big ambitions to build a production studio with a creative-first culture that producers, talent and partners want to work with and bring their creativity to,” the duo said.

The deal was brokered by Sumi Connock, BBC Studios creative director, and Daniel Thomas, head of commercial and acquisitions. Jolly Octopus was repped by Harbottle & Lewis.

Jolly Octopus has also signed an agreement with Matisse, Nick Curwin and Scarlett Ewens’s UK-based indie advisory service, which has a minority stake in the new venture and will be providing strategic and commercial support.