In a move that underscores the growing creative prowess of Northern Ireland's television and film industry, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has announced its backing of a new production company, Hot Sauce, based in Belfast. The company is led by acclaimed investigative journalists-turned-drama writers, Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, who have already made a significant impact on the BBC with their acclaimed series "The Salisbury Poisonings" and "Blue Lights."

Unlocking Belfast's Untapped Potential

Investing in Talent and Ambition

SPT's decision to partner with Hot Sauce is a testament to the company's faith in the creative talent and entrepreneurial spirit of Lawn and Patterson. As Matthew Justice, Executive VP and Head of the U.K. and Europe at Sony Pictures Television, explains, "Finding creative talent that have got the chops, ability, and ambition to grow a business around their creativity is always an enticing proposition." Lawn and Patterson's unique, analytical approach to crafting drama has already earned them widespread acclaim, and SPT sees this as an opportunity to nurture their vision and help them take Hot Sauce to new heights.

Bolstering Belfast's Scripted Landscape

The investment in Hot Sauce also represents SPT's commitment to the burgeoning creative community in Belfast. While the company has long maintained a presence in Northern Ireland through its non-scripted and formats specialist, Stellify Media, this new partnership with Hot Sauce signals a deeper investment in the region's scripted industry. As Justice notes, "the scripted industry there is brimming with talent and potential," and SPT's backing of Hot Sauce aims to further capitalize on this untapped creative wealth.

Strengthening SPT's National Portfolio

The addition of Hot Sauce to SPT's international production group portfolio, which includes esteemed companies like Left Bank Pictures, Eleven, Eleventh Hour Films, and Bad Wolf, underscores the media giant's strategic approach to building a diverse and dynamic national production landscape. By investing in regional hubs like Belfast, Wales, and Scotland, SPT is positioning itself at the forefront of the UK's creative renaissance, ensuring that its content reflects the breadth and depth of talent across the country.

A Homecoming for Lawn and Patterson

For Lawn and Patterson, the partnership with SPT represents an opportunity to not only grow their production company but to do so in their hometown of Belfast. As they express, "The fact that we will be doing all of this in our hometown makes it even more special." This sense of local pride and connection to the city's creative community is likely to infuse Hot Sauce's productions with a unique, authentic perspective that will resonate with audiences both at home and abroad.

Unlocking the Power of Collaboration

The SPT-Hot Sauce partnership is a prime example of the power of collaboration in the television and film industry. By combining SPT's global resources, expertise, and industry connections with the creative vision and local knowledge of Lawn and Patterson, the two companies are poised to unlock new opportunities and push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of scripted content. This synergy is sure to yield exciting and innovative projects that will captivate audiences and cement Belfast's status as a hub of creative excellence.