Award-winning production company Bonafide Films has agreed a development and distribution deal with BBC Studios, the BBC’s commercial production and distribution arm.

The production outfit behind RTS and BAFTA winning Mood, will benefit from a deal with BBC Studios that sees an investment into the production company’s exciting development slate and also gives BBC Studios a first look agreement on distribution rights on projects.

The independent production company, which is helmed by Margery Bone and has distinctive, authored voices at its heart, is behind a number of celebrated dramas including The Last Post by award-winning screenwriter Peter Moffatt (Your Honor, 61st Street) and the ground-breaking Mood – Nicôle Lecky’s TV adaptation of her self-penned, critically acclaimed Royal Court play, Superhoe – a co-commission from BBC and AMC which has recently won multiple awards including BAFTA Craft and RTS award for its original music score.

As well as their relationships with Lecky and Moffat the indie has a strong slate and is currently developing projects with a broad range of writing talent including screenwriter Peter Straughan (Wolf Hall, Tinker Tailor), director Sarah Gavron (Rocks) and Veronica Gleeson (Below), writer / director Miranda Bowen (Killing Eve), Pete Jackson (Somewhere Boy) & Meadhbh McHugh (Conversation with Friends) as well as emerging talent such as Sharma Walfall, Nas Saraei, Ellie Kendrick and Adam Bennett-Lea who has been mentored by Bonafide after winning the Channel 4 and New Writing North New Writers Scheme.

BBC Studios partners with independent production companies and talent in different ways, ranging from development and first look deals to minority and majority investments, depending on the needs of the individuals and businesses. BBC Studios brokered the co-production deal for Bonafide Films for Mood with AMC and also secured sales to 12 territories internationally.

The deal comes at a time of expansion for Bonafide Films with the recent appointment of Tom Dunbar as an Executive Producer, joining Margery Bone and fellow Executive Producer Zander Levy, Development Execs Kate Adori & Sylvie Markes, Development Co-ordinator Kelly Emelle, Trainee Development Assistant Olivia Dibua, Head of Production Jo Crowther and Finance and Operations Manager Sarah Crowther. Dunbar previously worked for Jeff Pope’s label at ITV Studios where he was an Executive Producer on The Walk-In with Stephen Graham for ITV and The Reckoning with Steve Coogan for BBC.

Margery Bone, Managing Director, Bonafide Films, said: “In a highly competitive market, it’s distinctive stories by incredible talents that cut through to audiences and we’re delighted that BBC Studios shares our vision and drive. This investment builds on our existing relationship and hugely expands on our ambitions for the future, for which we can’t wait.”

Tom Dunbar, Executive Producer, Bonafide Films, said: “To have joined Margery and Bonafide Films at such a significant time in its growth is both a privilege and incredibly exciting. We have some amazing projects with brilliantly talented writers on the slate and, with the support of the excellent BBC Studios team, our aim is to accelerate the company to the next level.”

Mark Linsey, President, Scripted, BBC Studios Productions, said: “Bonafide Films produce talent-led dramas of exceptional quality and we are thrilled to be partnering with them on development and distribution. At BBC Studios we are passionate about backing the best creative ideas and nurturing talent and enabling our partner indies to fulfil their creative and commercial ambitions.”