Matriarch Productions signs two-year partnership with streamer

Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters’ outfit Matriarch Productions has signed a two-year first-look deal with Disney+.

The agreement spans original scripted and unscripted series and aims to bring compelling British stories to the global audiences, according to Disney.

The pact comes days after the streamer launched the second series of period drama A Thousand Blows, on which Matriarch is a co-producer, alongside The Story Collective and Water & Power Productions.

Matriarch was founded in 2020 by actors, producers and spouses Graham and Walters to provide a platform for underrepresented voices and stories in the UK and to champion diversity and inclusion on- and off-camera.

Its credits include the feature film Boiling Point and its BBC1 spin-off series, and last year’s breakout hit Adolescence, which was co-produced with Warp Films for Netflix.

Angela Jain, head of content, Disney+ EMEA, said: “Stephen and Hannah have proven they know how to tell bold, impactful stories and our vision also aligns with them around providing a platform for underrepresented voices in the UK.

“Distinctive, local stories that entertain and resonate with audiences are what Disney+ are committed to championing, making Matriarch the perfect partners as we look to evolve our production slate in the UK. This is a dream, and we’re thrilled to continue working with them.”

Graham and Walters, added that they will “strive to produce inspiring, entertaining and thought-provoking storytelling” through the partnership.

Lee Mason, vice-president, scripted, Disney+ EMEA, added: “Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters are storytellers with real purpose — creative, fearless and deeply committed to discovering, nurturing and championing new talent. I’m genuinely excited to keep working with them, and to support the kind of ambitious, distinctive work they want to put into the world with Disney+.”