Carnival Film & Television Limited, trading as Carnival Films, is a British

production company A production company, production house or production studio is a studio that creates works in the fields of performing arts, new media art, film, television show, television, radio, comics, interactive arts, video games, websites, music, and video ...

based in London, UK, founded in 1978. It has produced television series for all the major UK networks including the

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

, ITV,

Channel 4 Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by Channel Four Television Corporation. It is state-owned enterprise, publicly owned but, unlike the BBC, it receives no public funding and is funded en ...

, and

Sky The sky is an unobstructed view upward from the planetary surface, surface of the Earth. It includes the atmosphere of Earth, atmosphere and outer space. It may also be considered a place between the ground and outer space, thus distinct from ...

, as well as international broadcasters including

PBS The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and non-commercial, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly funded nonprofit organization and the most prominent provider of educat ...

, A&E,

HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American pay television service, which is the flagship property of namesake parent-subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is based a ...

and

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...

. Productions include single dramas, long-running television dramas, feature films, and stage productions.

History

Carnival Films was founded in 1978 by feature film producer Brian Eastman. As of 2014, Carnival has produced over 500 hours of drama and comedy for television, cinema and stage. This included 70 episodes of ''

Agatha Christie's Poirot ''Agatha Christie's Poirot'', or simply ''Poirot'' (), is a British mystery drama television programme that aired on ITV from 8 January 1989 to 13 November 2020. The ITV show is based on many of Agatha Christie's famous crime fiction series, wh ...

'' starring

David Suchet Sir David Courtney Suchet ( ; born 2 May 1946) is an English actor. He is known for his work on stage and in television. He portrayed Edward Teller in the television serial '' Oppenheimer'' (1980) and received the RTS and BPG awards for his pe ...

and 22 episodes of '' Rosemary & Thyme'', starring

Felicity Kendal Felicity Ann Kendal (born 25 September 1946) is an English actress, working principally in television and theatre. She has appeared in numerous stage and screen roles over a more than 70-year career, including as Barbara Good in the television ...

and

Pam Ferris Pamela Ferris (born 11 May 1948) is a British actress. She has starred in numerous British television series, including Connie (TV series), ''Connie'' (1985), ''The Darling Buds of May (TV series), The Darling Buds of May'' (1991–1993), ''W ...

. In the action/adventure genre it produced '' BUGS'', ''Oktober'' and '' The Grid'', in comedy drama it produced ''

Jeeves and Wooster ''Jeeves and Wooster'' is a British comedy television series adapted by Clive Exton from P. G. Wodehouse's "Jeeves" stories. It aired on the ITV network from 22 April 1990 to 20 June 1993, with the last series nominated for a British Aca ...

'' starring

Hugh Laurie James Hugh Calum Laurie (; born 11 June 1959) is an English actor, comedian, singer, musician and writer. He first gained professional recognition as a member of the English comedy double act Fry and Laurie with Stephen Fry. Fry and Laurie act ...

and

Stephen Fry Sir Stephen John Fry (born 24 August 1957) is an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator and writer. He came to prominence as a member of the comic act Fry and Laurie alongside Hugh Laurie, with the two starring in ''A Bit of ...

, teenage drama-comedy '' As If'', as well as the adaptations of

Tom Sharpe Thomas Ridley Sharpe (30 March 1928 – 6 June 2013) was an English satire, satirical novelist, best known for his ''Wilt (novel), Wilt'' series, as well as ''Porterhouse Blue'' and ''Blott on the Landscape,'' all three of which were adapted fo ...

's novels '' Blott on the Landscape'' and ''

Porterhouse Blue ''Porterhouse Blue'' is a novel written by Tom Sharpe, first published in 1974. A satirical look at Cambridge life and the struggle between tradition and reform, ''Porterhouse Blue'' tells the story of Skullion, the Head Porter of Porterhouse ...

''. In 2004, the BBC's former Head of Drama Commissioning Gareth Neame joined Carnival as managing director. In 2007, former Creative Director of BBC Drama Sally Woodward Gentle joined the company as Creative Director. The two had previously worked together on '' Spooks'' (MI:5), '' Tipping the Velvet'' and '' Cambridge Spies''. In 2007 Australian production company Southern Star acquired 75% percent of Carnival Films but by 2008 the company was acquired by American-based

NBCUniversal NBCUniversal Media, LLC (abbreviated as NBCU and Trade name, doing business as NBCUniversal or Comcast NBCUniversal since 2013) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational mass media and Show business, entertainment conglomerate (comp ...

as part of its plan to increase its presence in content creation outside the United States. Following several more acquisitions Carnival is now part of NBCUniversal International Television Production alongside newer additions Monkey Kingdom, Working Title Television, Chocolate Media and Lucky Giant in the UK, Lark in Canada and Matchbox Pictures in Australia. Under the direction of Gareth Neame, Carnival has produced series such as; '' The Philanthropist'' for NBC; hit BBC series '' Hotel Babylon''; the television films '' Enid'' starring

Helena Bonham Carter Helena Bonham Carter (born 26 May 1966) is an English actress. Known for her roles in Blockbuster (entertainment), blockbusters and independent films, particularly period dramas, List of awards and nominations received by Helena Bonham Carter ...

and

Matthew Macfadyen David Matthew Macfadyen (; born 17 October 1974) is an English actor. Known for his performances on stage and screen, he Breakthrough role, gained prominence for his role as Mr. Darcy in Joe Wright's ''Pride & Prejudice (2005 film), Pride & Prej ...

; '' Page Eight'' starring Bill Nighy,

Rachel Weisz Rachel Hannah Weisz (; born 7 March 1970) is an English actress. Known for her roles in independent films and blockbusters, she has received List of awards and nominations received by Rachel Weisz, several awards, including an Academy Award, ...

Michael Gambon Sir Michael John Gambon (; 19 October 1940 – 27 September 2023) was an Irish-English actor. Gambon started his acting career with Laurence Olivier as one of the original members of the Royal National Theatre. Over his six-decade-long career ...

and

Ralph Fiennes Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes (; born 22 December 1962) is an English actor, film producer, and director. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Ralph Fiennes, various accolades, including a British Academy Film ...

; four-part drama '' Any Human Heart'' starring

Jim Broadbent James Broadbent (born 24 May 1949) is an English actor. A graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 1972, he came to prominence as a character actor for his many roles in film and television. He has received various accolades ...

Matthew MacFadyen David Matthew Macfadyen (; born 17 October 1974) is an English actor. Known for his performances on stage and screen, he Breakthrough role, gained prominence for his role as Mr. Darcy in Joe Wright's ''Pride & Prejudice (2005 film), Pride & Prej ...

, Hayley Atwell and

Kim Cattrall Kim Victoria Cattrall (; born 21 August 1956) is a British, Canadian, and American actress. She is known for her portrayal of Samantha Jones on HBO's ''Sex and the City'' (1998–2004), for which she received five Primetime Emmy Award nominati ...

; '' The Hollow Crown'', a BBC adaptation of Shakespeare's history plays starring

Tom Hiddleston Thomas William Hiddleston (born 9 February 1981) is a British actor. He gained international fame portraying Loki (Marvel Cinematic Universe), Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), beginning with ''Thor (film), Thor'' in 2011 and incl ...

Ben Whishaw Benjamin John Whishaw (born 14 October 1980) is an English actor. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Ben Whishaw, various accolades, including three British Academy Television Awards, two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Aw ...

and Jeremy Irons; '' The Last Weekend'', a three-part adaptation of

Blake Morrison Philip Blake Morrison (born 8 October 1950) is an English poet and author who has published in a wide range of fiction and non-fiction genres. His greatest success came with the publication of his memoirs ''And When Did You Last See Your Father?' ...

's novel; ''

Whitechapel Whitechapel () is an area in London, England, and is located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is in east London and part of the East End of London, East End. It is the location of Tower Hamlets Town Hall and therefore the borough tow ...

'' for ITV; Jamestown and Stan Lee's Lucky Man for Sky One; The Last Kingdom for BBC One and Netflix;

Belgravia Belgravia () is a district in Central London, covering parts of the areas of the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Belgravia was known as the 'Five Fields' during the Tudor Period, and became a dangerous pla ...

for ITV1 and Epix; Belgravia: The Next Chapter for MGM+; and The Day Of The Jackal starring

Eddie Redmayne Edward John David Redmayne OBE (; born 6 January 1982) is an English actor. His accolades include an Academy Award, a Tony Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two Olivier Awards. Redmayne began his professional ac ...

and Lashana Lynch for Sky and Peacock. Carnival are also producing upcoming dramas Lockerbie: A Search For Truth starring

Colin Firth Colin Andrew Firth (born 10 September 1960) is an English actor and producer. He is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Colin Firth, several accolades, including an Academy Award, two British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA Aw ...

and All Her Fault starring Sarah Snook. Carnival's biggest hit, both critically and commercially, is ''

Downton Abbey ''Downton Abbey'' is a British historical drama television series set in the early 20th century, created and co-written by Julian Fellowes. It first aired in the United Kingdom on ITV (TV network), ITV on 26 September 2010 and in the United St ...

'', written and co-produced by Julian Fellowes. The final episode of the TV series aired on 25 December 2015. In 2016, Neame and Fellowes started planning a feature adaptation; it was officially confirmed in July 2018 and filming began later that month. ''

'' was released in the United Kingdom on 13 September 2019 by Universal Pictures, and in the United States on 20 September 2019 by Focus Features. It received generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $194 million worldwide. The sequel, '' Downton Abbey: A New Era'', was released in the United Kingdom on 29 April 2022, and in the United States on 20 May 2022. A third film was announced in May 2024, and will be released in September 2025.

Productions

Television

Past

;2006–2024 (as Carnival Film and Television Ltd.) :*'' Lockerbie: A Search for Truth'' :*'' The Day Of The Jackal'' (2024) :*'' Belgravia: The Next Chapter'' (2024) :*'' The Last Kingdom'' (2015–2022) Two series for BBC One and three series for Netflix – total 46 episodes :*''

'' (2020) One series for ITV1 / Epix – total 6 episodes :*'' Stan Lee's Lucky Man'' (2016–2019) Three series for Sky One – total 28 episodes :*'' The Hollow Crown'' (2012–2016) 8 episodes for BBC Two :*'' Jamestown'' (2017–2019 ) Three series for Sky One – total 24 episodes :*''

'' (2010–2015) Six series for ITV1 – total 52 episodes :*'' The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies'' (2014) Mini Series for ITV1 – total 2 episodes :*''

Dracula ''Dracula'' is an 1897 Gothic fiction, Gothic horror fiction, horror novel by Irish author Bram Stoker. The narrative is Epistolary novel, related through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles. It has no single protagonist and opens ...

'' (2013/2014) One series for Sky Living / NBC – total 10 episodes :*'' Salting the Battlefield'' (2014) Single Drama for BBC Two (Part 3 of The Worricker Trilogy) :*'' Turks & Caicos'' (2014) Single Drama for BBC Two (Part 2 of The Worricker Trilogy) :*'' The 7.39'' (2014) Mini Series for BBC One – total 2 episodes :*''

'' (2009–2013) Four series for ITV1 – total 18 episodes :*'' Murder on the Home Front'' (2013) Mini Series for ITV1 – total 2 episodes :*'' The Last Weekend'' (2012) Mini Series for ITV1 – total 3 episodes :*'' Page Eight'' (2011) Single Drama for BBC Two (Part 1 of The Worricker Trilogy) :*'' Any Human Heart'' (2010) Miniseries for Channel 4 – total 4 episodes :*'' Material Girl'' (2010) One series for BBC One – total 6 episodes :*'' Enid'' (2009) Single Drama for BBC Four :*'' Hotel Babylon'' (2006–2009) Four series for BBC One – total 32 episodes :*'' The Philanthropist'' (2009) One series for NBC – total 8 episodes :*''

Harley Street Harley Street is a street in Marylebone, Central London, named after Edward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer.Midnight Man'' (2008) Mini Series for ITV1 – total 3 episodes :*''

The Old Curiosity Shop ''The Old Curiosity Shop'' is the fourth novel by English author Charles Dickens; being one of his two novels (the other being ''Barnaby Rudge'') published along with short stories in his weekly serial ''Master Humphrey's Clock'', from 1840 t ...

'' (2007) Single Drama for ITV1/WGBH :*'' Christmas at the Riviera'' (2007) Single Drama for ITV1 :*''Empathy'' (2007) Single Drama for BBC One :*'' Sea of Souls: The Prayer Tree'' (2007) Mini Series for BBC One – total 2 episodes :*''

The Whistleblowers ''The Whistleblowers'' is a British drama series, first broadcast on ITV from 27 September to 1 November 2007. The series stars Richard Coyle and Indira Varma as personal injury lawyers Ben Graham and Alisha Cole, who set themselves up in pr ...

'' (2007) One series for ITV1 – total 6 episodes :*'' Rosemary & Thyme'' (2003–2006) Three series for ITV1 – total 22 episodes :;1989–2005 (as Carnival Film and Theatre Ltd.) :*'' The Grid'': Mini series (2004) for BBC and TNT – total 2 episodes :*''

'': (1989–2004) for ITV1 – total 53 episodes :*'' As If'': four series (2001–2004) for Channel 4 – total 60 episodes :* ''As If'' (US): one series (2002) for UPN – total 7 episodes :*'' The 10th Kingdom'': Mini Series (2000) for NBC – total 9 episodes :*'' Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married'': two series (1999–2000) for ITV1 – total 16 episodes :*''Oktober'': Mini Series (1998) for ITV1 – total three episodes :*'' BUGS'': four series (1995–1998) for BBC One – total 40 episodes :*'' Crime Traveller'': one series (1997) for BBC One – total 8 episodes :*''The Mill on the Floss'': TV Film (1997) for BBCOne/WGBH/Canal Plus :*'' The Fragile Heart'': Mini Series (1996) for Channel 4 – total 3 episodes :*'' The Infiltrator'': TV Film (1995) for HBO :*'' Anna Lee'': one series (1994) for ITV – total 5 episodes :*''

'': four series (1990–1993) for Granada/ ITV – total 23 episodes :*''All or Nothing at All'': Mini Series (1993) for LWT/ ITV – total 3 episodes :*'' Head over Heels'': one series (1993) for Carlton/ITV – total 7 episodes :*''The Big Battalions'': Mini Series (1992) for Channel 4 – total 5 episodes :*'' Traffik'': TV Film (1989) for Channel 4 :*'' Forever Green'': two series (1989–1992) for LWT/ ITV – total 18 episodes : :;1978–1988 (as Picture Partnership Productions Ltd.) :*''

'': Mini Series (1987) for Channel 4 – total 4 episodes :*'' Blott on the Landscape'': Mini Series (1985) for BBC – total 6 episodes :*''Father's Day'': two series (1983–1984) – total 14 episodes

Films

:*'' Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale'' (2025) :*'' The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die'' (2022) :*'' Downton Abbey: A New Era'' (2022) :*''

'' (2019) :*'' Firelight'' (1997) :*'' Up on the Roof'' (1997) :*'' Shadowlands'' (1993) :*'' Under Suspicion'' (1991) :*'' Wilt'' (1990) :;1978–1988 (as Picture Partnership Productions Ltd.) :*'' Whoops Apocalypse'' (1986) :*''Cry Wolf'' (1980)

Stage

Past

:*'' Juno and the Paycock'' (1993) Albery Theatre, London :*''How Was It for You?'' Theatre Royal, Plymouth :*''Map of the Heart'' (1991) Globe Theatre, London :*'' The Ghost Train'' (1992) Lyric Theatre, London :*''What a Performance'' (1994) Queens Theatre, London :*'' Misery'' (1992) Criterion Theatre, London :*'' Shadowlands'' (1990) Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York :*'' Up on the Roof'' (1987)

Awards

Carnival Films has won a wide variety of awards for its work on Television, Film and Stage productions. With the company itself winning the 'Best Independent Production Company' award at both the Televisual Magazine Bulldog Awards 2011, and the Broadcast Awards 2012. In addition Carnival's productions have together been awarded nine Primetime Emmy Awards; one Golden Globe; nineteen BAFTAs; one Screen Actors Guild Award; a

Producers Guild of America Award Producer(s), The Producer(s), or co-producer(s) may refer to: Occupations *Producer (agriculture), a farm operator *Producer, a stakeholder of economic production * Film producer, supervises the making of films **Executive producer, contributes ...

; two National Television Award; three International Emmy Awards; five RTS awards; four BANFF Rockie Awards; three Ivor Novello Awards; two Broadcast awards; a Bulldog award; an Evening Standard Theatre Award; and a Tony. Further to this success the company's productions have also received nominations from such varied awards bodies as the Academy Awards, the Laurence Olivier Awards, The Monte Carlo International Television Festival, The Screen Actors Guild, The American Society of Cinematographers, The Edgar Allan Poe Awards, The Rose D’Or and The San Sebastian Film Festival.

References

External links

* {{NBCUniversal 1978 establishments in England 2008 mergers and acquisitions British companies established in 1978 British subsidiaries of foreign companies Mass media companies based in London Mass media companies established in 1978 NBCUniversal Television production companies of the United Kingdom