Preethi Mavahalli Leaves Poison Pen to Start New ITV Studios-Backed Drama Indie Paper Mill with ‘The Serpent’ EP

Preethi Mavahalli Launches New Drama Label Under ITV Studios

Preethi Mavahalli, known for her work on The Serpent, is departing Ben Stephenson’s Poison Pen to establish her own drama label, Paper Mill Productions, which will be backed by ITV Studios.

Set to launch next month, Paper Mill Productions will continue to operate under the ITV Studios umbrella. Mavahalli has been with Poison Pen since its inception in 2022 and has contributed to ITV shows such as Adultery and The Dark. Also making the move to Paper Mill is Luke Woelhaf, an executive from Poison Pen.

ITV Studios announced that Paper Mill will focus on “developing and producing premium scripted content designed for UK and global audiences,” with the studio managing international distribution.

Mavahalli is a respected figure in the UK television industry, with past credits that include The Serpent, Noughts + Crosses, and McDonald & Dodds. Before her time at Poison Pen, she held roles at Sky Studios and served as drama boss at Mammoth Screen.

Expressing her excitement about the new venture, Mavahalli stated, “Almost my entire television career has been as part of ITV Studios so it only felt natural to take this exciting and significant step as part of the family. I’m thrilled to launch this new venture and continue to collaborate with exceptional storytellers and creatives, Julian [Bellamy, ITV Studios boss], and the wonderfully talented team at ITV Studios.”

ITV Studios oversees a range of drama labels, including Hartswood Films, known for Sherlock, Nicola Shindler’s Quay Street Productions, and Mammoth Screen.