Historian David Olusoga Launches Hillgate Films With BBC Studios First-Look Deal

Academic and media personality David Olusoga, who serves as a professor of public history at the University of Manchester, has established his own film production company named Hillgate Productions.

The firm announced on Thursday its plan to specialize in creating and broadcasting engaging and intellectually stimulating historical documentaries, formats, and series, some of which may feature Olusoga as the on-screen personality.

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Thursday saw the company reveal that they will be concentrating on making and airing intriguing and thought-provoking history-related documentaries, programs, and series, possibly with Olusoga appearing on screen in some of them.

The company’s launch is backed by a development deal with BBC Studios, which provides additional support for the company’s expansion goals. This agreement grants the studio a first chance to acquire distribution rights.

As a fan, I’m thrilled about the decision that Hillgate Films has made. Instead of being the sole producer, they will now operate as a co-producer, which allows David Olusoga to dedicate his time and energy to fewer, more ambitious projects. This partnership approach enables Hillgate to collaborate with established partners on larger-scale projects, while still giving Olusoga the artistic liberty to focus on the content itself, rather than the nitty-gritty aspects of managing a production company on a daily basis.

As a fervent admirer, I’m thrilled to share that Hillgate has initiated its first two projects, though specifics remain undisclosed. On the other hand, Olusoga, known for his captivating work on BBC’s “A House Through Time” and the recent groundbreaking series “Union,” continues to intrigue us with his creations.

Olusoga expressed: “We’re excited to delve into untold historical stories, and we’re looking forward to collaborating with the innovative and energetic BBC Studios team. I’m deeply committed to generating work that presents new viewpoints, and I firmly believe we have a fantastic chance to do just that through Hillgate Films.

He stated: “Now that we’ve secured a development agreement with BBC Studios, we’re poised to expand and escalate our business. We have grand aspirations for the coming years.

David Olusoga is accompanied at Hillgate by Ben Hall, the managing director who previously held the position of global director of programs at Motion Content Group. Hall expressed his joy in collaborating with Olusoga, stating on Thursday, “David’s reputation as a storyteller and historian is unquestionable, and I’m thrilled to be part of the team that brings compelling and captivating stories to our audience.

Kate Ward, the head of unscripted productions at BBC Studios, stated: “David consistently creates impactful and intricate tales from history that echo worldwide and spark debates, altering viewpoints. We’re thrilled to carry on our extended collaboration.

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2025-06-05 11:54