Reese Witherspoon’s production company Hello Sunshine is opening an unscripted division in the U.K.
Sarah Lazenby has been tapped as executive vice president of the British outlet and has already set her first project with Channel 4. Previously head of features and formats at Channel 4, Lazenby will oversee unscripted operations while reporting to Hello Sunshine’s head of unscripted Sara Rea.
“We are thrilled to expand our global mission of innovative, unscripted, female-led storytelling to the U.K.,” Rea said in a statement. “Sarah Lazenby is perfectly poised to lead the charge, as her talent, passion, and sensibility for great storytelling couldn’t be more in sync with our mission. This is a strategic and exciting moment for us as a company as we continue building upon our trusted relationship with talent and viewers around the world.”
Lazenby’s experience at Channel 4 had her overseeing a large slate of unscripted programming while also commissioning award-winning series like “The Great British Bake Off.” She also notably served as a producer on the Emmy-nominated “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” special for HBO.
“Hello Sunshine’s unique global brand and inspirational mission to change the way women walk through the world through storytelling is one I have admired for quite some time,” Lazenby said in a statement. “It’s a dream come true to join the talented team and I look forward to bringing the sunshine to the U.K. by creating the next generation of joyous and entertaining formats.”
As part of Candle Media, this expansion for Hello Sunshine has been cited by the company as a strategic move that amplifies the production company’s commitment to centering stories for women by women on the global stage.
