Universal International Studios ties with Home Team

Universal International Studios (UIS) has struck a first-look deal with End of the Fucking World exec Dominic Buchanan and Bennett McGhee’s indie, Home Team. 

Buchanan and McGhee will develop and produce television projects with UIS for the UK and global market, with a focus on championing underrepresented creatives, fresh voices and on-screen talent. 

Home Team’s slate, which UIS will help curate, includes Flick, an exploration of female friendships set on the North-East England coast, and a period fantasy based on Yaa Asantewaa, the legendary warrior queen mother of the Ashanti Empire – the region in Africa which is now Ghana.  

The latter series, co-created by Kara Smith (Anansi Boys), Rienkje Attoh (Noughts + Crosses) and McGhee, fuses action and magic within the drama. Smith also writes, with Attoh’s company So & So Productions producing. 

Buchanan and McGhee formed Home Team in September 2020 with backing from Calculus Capital, via the BFI EIS Content Fund.  

The indie’s slate spans TV and film, and is working with filmmakers including Shola Amoo, Lynette Linton, Courttia Newland, Aneil Karia, Cecile Emeke, Destiny Ekaragha, playwright Omar El-Khairy and director Nadia Latif. 

“We are massive fans of Dominic and Bennett and admire their taste, approach and energy” said Beatrice Springborn, president, UIS. “Their mission, ethos, and their eye for identifying great talent, are why we are thrilled and proud to call them partners.” 

Buchanan said: “UIS’s commitment to our slate and the filmmakers we’re working with will empower our collective ambitions for Home Team to the highest level.”  

McGhee added: “Talent is at the very heart of our company and drives our slate. From our earliest conversations, the studio’s shared passion in the talent we’re working with and the talent we want to work with made for a tantalising partnership.” 

This article originally appeared on KFTVs sister site, Broadcast.