Megan Ellison’s Annapurna 2.0 Expands with New International TV Division

EXCLUSIVE: Annapurna Pictures, led by Megan Ellison, is making significant strides with the establishment of an international television division.

Ed Rubin, a former executive from New Regency, Scott Free, and Origin Pictures, will spearhead this new venture as the Head of International TV, operating from London. His role will focus on originating and developing a diverse slate of ambitious scripted projects featuring top talent from the UK and beyond.

During his tenure at New Regency, Rubin executive produced notable shows, including The Beast Must Die, starring Cush Jumbo and Jared Harris, and Apple TV’s Prime Target, featuring Leo Woodall.

Joining Rubin in the London office is Tsedenia Skitch, who will serve as Development Producer. Skitch collaborated with Rubin at New Regency and previously worked as a script editor at Sky and the production company Happy Prince, where she was involved in the inaugural season of the hit series Rivals for Disney+.

They will be accompanied by veteran Annapurna executive Skye Optican, Vice President of International Film & TV and Head of Theatre, who has been instrumental in enhancing the company’s international presence across film, television, and theatre.

Under Optican’s leadership, Annapurna has garnered both Tony and Olivier wins and nominations, including recognition for the upcoming West End production of 1536 and the forthcoming Inter Alia.

These appointments come alongside the return of Chelsea Barnard and Matthew Budman to Annapurna’s U.S. team as co-heads of film, with further hires anticipated.

Sources indicate that the revitalized Annapurna team will concentrate on production, steering clear of film distribution, which previously contributed to the company’s challenges prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The announcement of the international expansion coincides with the premiere of the Annapurna-produced film I Love Boosters at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin and follows the recent success of Ellison-backed The Invite, which achieved the festival’s highest acquisition deal in an eight-figure agreement with A24.

In recent years, The Testament of Ann Lee and Nightbitch were the only two Annapurna-related projects to reach screens. The company has shifted focus towards gaming and theatre, pivoting from its origins in high-profile film productions.

Annapurna has previously made waves in Hollywood with Best Picture nominations, including American Hustle, Her, Zero Dark Thirty, Phantom Thread, and Vice, as well as playing a significant role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master. Former HBO executive Sue Naegle led the company’s TV initiatives, which included Pam & Tommy and The Staircase.

The company’s distribution woes have contributed to a quieter period, as Megan Ellison’s brother David has made headlines with lucrative Skydance deals and the potential acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery.

As Annapurna reinvigorates its operations, more projects and changes are anticipated in the near future.

Rubin remarked, “Annapurna is a true one-off – a company known for making stand-out, authored work across all mediums – so it’s an incredible opportunity to build a raft of new TV projects out of the UK that embody the same mix of creative risk and broad appeal.”