Lookout Point names joint-CEO’s to replace Pathe-bound Faith Penhale

Will Johnston & Laura Lankester

Gentleman Jack producer Lookout Point has named Laura Lankester and Will Johnston as its new joint-CEO’s, ahead of Faith Penhale’s move to Pathe.

Lankester and Johnston have worked togetehr for the past decade, most recently as executive producers at Lookout Point, which is owned by BBC Studios.

The promotions come two weeks after Penhale revealed she would be soon joining Selma and Philomena producer Pathe to lead its UK-based production arm into TV series. She takes up the role 1 March.

Penhale’s move came three years after being named the sole CEO of Lookout Point, following the exit of former co-CEO Simon Vaughan. Damian Keogh left his role as MD at the company last year to launch a new Endeavor Content-backed scripted outfit with BBCS alum Helen Jackson and Vaughan.

Lankester and Johnston will take on a slate that includes highwaywoman adventure series The Ballad of Renegade Nell for Disney+, South African crime thriller Devil’s Peak, and the third and final instalment of BBC One drama Happy Valley, which is being co-produced with AMC.

Lookout Point also has a minority stake in Boffola Pictures and is a coproducer with the comedy out-fit on the forthcoming BBC commission Undoing Martin Parker.

Lankester and Johnston said: “We are proud of our shared track record with Faith delivering ambitious drama for big audiences, and we have learned so much from her. The new opportunity for us now is to lead together, to continue to enrich and diversify our programming and to offer talent the solidarity and support that comes from our close creative partnership. We can’t wait to get started.”