Sony Pictures TV Backs Scripted Producer Hot Sauce in Belfast, Led by ‘Blue Lights’ Creators

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As a seasoned gamer with a keen eye for spotting trends in the ever-evolving world of entertainment, I find the partnership between Sony Pictures Television and Hot Sauce, the Belfast-based production company led by Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, to be an exhilarating development. Having made a name for themselves with critically acclaimed projects like Netflix’s ‘Rogue Agent’ and BBC’s ‘Blue Lights’, it’s clear that these two investigative journalists-turned-drama creatives possess a unique, analytical approach to storytelling.

On Tuesday, Sony Pictures Television revealed the commencement of Hot Sauce, a Belfast-based production company led by investigative journalists-turned drama writers Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson. They are famous for their work on Netflix’s film “Rogue Agent” and BBC’s police drama “Blue Lights.

SPT’s support will significantly boost Hot Sauce, propelling it into a fully operational production company,” Sony announced. “Since Hot Sauce is primarily owned by SPT, it now falls under the umbrella of the SPT International Production group, alongside other scripted companies such as Left Bank Pictures, Eleven, Eleventh Hour Films, and Cardiff-based Bad Wolf. Additionally, Hot Sauce becomes SPT’s second production company in Belfast, sharing the spotlight with Stellify Media, a non-scripted and formats specialist.

Patterson and Lawn crossed paths while both were employed at the BBC’s renowned current affairs program, Panorama. Subsequently, they collaborated to create the successful BBC drama, The Salisbury Poisonings, which garnered significant attention in 2020 as the BBC’s most-viewed drama of that year. Their debut feature film, Rogue Agent, featuring James Norton and Gemma Arterton, premiered on Netflix and in U.S. IFC cinemas during 2022.

The BBC’s original series titled “Blue Lights,” focusing on modern-day policing in Belfast, has been a massive success, attracting large viewership for both its seasons. Writers Lawn and Patterson, managed by United Agents in the UK and WME in the US, will carry on with their writing duties for the show moving forward.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my excitement about the investment made by SPT. This action clearly demonstrates their profound belief in the thriving potential of Belfast as a creative epicenter for television and cinema production.

Matthew Justice, executive vice president and head of U.K. & Europe at Sony Pictures Television, stated, “This deal was a definite yes for us on various fronts. To begin with, it’s an investment in Declan and Adam, whose work we greatly admire. We appreciate their creative prowess, and we find it intriguing when talent like them show the capacity to grow a business based on their creativity. They have a distinctive, analytical approach to drama creation, which has garnered much attention due to the success of Blue Lights. Having the chance to welcome them into the SPT family and collaborate with them on the next phase of Hot Sauce is incredibly thrilling.

He stated: “This move is not only an investment in Belfast’s industry, but it also reinforces our ongoing commitment to Northern Ireland’s creative community through Stellify. We recognize the abundance of talent and potential in the scripted sector there. This transaction expands our national production portfolio and, coupled with Bad Wolf’s operation in Wales and Left Bank’s work on Outlander and Department Q in Scotland, underscores the exceptional creativity that spans our entire national production landscape.

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2024-10-29 12:25