Mammoth Screen rejigs C-suite, appoints ITVS exec as new MD

Samantha McMillon

Mammoth Screen, the London and Belfast-based prodco behind The Serpent and Endeavour has unveiled a C-suite rejig, along with the appointment of a new MD and exec producer.

Samantha McMillon joins Mammoth as managing director from parent company ITV Studios, taking on the role from James Penny, who has been elevated to CEO. She will also work alongside Damien Timmer, who becomes CCO and Jon Williams, COO.

In her new role, McMillon will work across the development and production slates, helping foster new relationships domestically and internationally to support Mammoth’s growth.

She currently serves as commercial director for ITV Studios’ in-house UK drama labels, working across the slates of firm including Silverprint Pictures, Happy Prince, Quay Street Productions, Tall Story Pictures, Jeff Pope and Patrick Spence’s studio.

Sheena Bucktowonsing

Prior to this, McMillon worked with ITV Studios’ distribution arm in its Global Content team, bringing scripted content to the international market from UK, European and Australian producers. McMillon built her relationship with Mammoth while partnering with the team to launch Poldark to global audiences.

Sheena Bucktowonsing, meanwhile, has also joined as an executive producer, working across shows including World on Fire, having previously worked on the last three seasons of Doctor Who, most recently as a producer.

Before this she was development executive at Imaginary Friends with credits including Broadchurch, and ran the kids and drama development slates at Kindle Entertainment.

“My real passion is facilitating storytelling on the local and international stage and I cannot wait to begin working alongside Damien, James and Jon,” said McMillon. “They are a formidable trio and I am excited to join them and the wider team to help realise Mammoth’s ambitious aims for the future.”

Forthcoming shows from Mammoth include Noughts + Crosses season two for BBC One, new series Grime Kids for BBC Three, an adaptation of Tom Jones for Masterpiece and ITV, McDonald and Dodds season three for ITV and Hugh Laurie’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? for Britbox.

The new hires at Mammoth follows recent exits, including exec producer Karen Thrussell, who moved to Blueprint Television in January and former drama director Preethi Mavahalli, who departed to join Sky Studios.