Sharon Horgan’s Merman hires Fremantle production head

Merman, the production company founded by Catastrophe’s Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford, has appointed FremantleMedia UK’s Rebecca Parkinson (pictured) as its head of production.

Parkinson joins Merman from Fremantle’s scripted comedy label Retort and will oversee the production of all Merman projects in the newly created role. She will work closely with Mountford.

The appointment follows the news last week that Merman has secured a two year deal with Amazon Studios in which it will have first-look rights to Merman concepts to which Horgan is attached and remake rights to Merman-produced television series.

The deal also gives Amazon Studios an exclusive two-year overall deal with Merman co-founder Horgan.

Parkinson’s recent projects included Birds of a Feather (ITV), Count Arthur Strong (Series 3/BBC), a one-off return of Goodnight Sweetheart (BBC1), The Rebel (UKTV) Henry IX (UKTV) and two series of Chewing Gum (E4).

Mountford said: “We are delighted to welcome Becky to the Merman family at this exciting time. Merman has projects in production with a range of broadcasters, and our busy and varied slate will be in a very safe pair of hands with Becky.”

Parkinson added: “I am thrilled to be joining the fabulous and inspiring Merman team and can’t wait to be a part of bringing their brilliant projects to screen.”

Merman’s output over the last year has included a 3^rd season of Catastrophe (Channel 4/Amazon), Divorce (HBO), Motherland (BBC) and a number of comedy shorts for Sky.

Bliss, a co-production with Big Talk for Sky One, starring Heather Graham and Stephen Mangan, will air in February.