UTA’s Curtis Brown Sells Cuba Pictures to Vice Media

Vice Media has picked up McMafia producer Cuba Pictures from UTA’s Curtis Brown Group.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the U.K. film and TV producer will become part of Vice Studios to bolster its scripted TV business. Cuba Pictures will continue to be led by head of film and TV Dixie Linder, who will report to Vice Studios co-president Jamie Hall.

“We are impressed by the innovative shows that Cuba Pictures produces with global appeal, and this acquisition accelerates our studios’ growth strategy in scripted content,” Bruce Dixon, CEO of Vice Media, said in a statement.

Dixie Linder added: “I couldn’t be more excited for the next chapter for Cuba alongside Jamie and the brilliant team at Vice Studios. Their passion and vision make them the perfect partners for this journey, and I can’t wait to see what we create together — while continuing our very special relationship with Curtis Brown.”

Cuba Pictures founder Nick Marston will remain active with the company, according to the company, and work closely with the Vice Studios team. The acquisition of Cuba Pictures follows Vice Media inking a distribution deal with ITV Studios and acquiring commercial and music video production studio London Alley Entertainment and merging it with UK’s Pulse Films.

Vice Studios produces the TV franchise Gangs of London, Sky’s Atomic series and the upcoming film Bad Apples with Paramount, starring Saoirse Ronan. The acquisition of Cuba Pictures follows Vice Media inking a distribution deal with ITV Studios and acquiring commercial and music video production studio London Alley Entertainment and merging it with Pulse Films.

TV credits for Cuba Pictures include Channel Four’s Coalition, BBC One’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, the BBC Two and RTÉ thriller Paula, and the BBC1 and Amazon Prime series McMafia, starring James Norton.

Cuba Pictures is at work on the drama The Walsh Sisters, an adaptation of Marian Keyes’ novels and set to air on the BBC and RTE. Vice Media is owned by Fortress Investment Group, Soros Capital Management and Monroe Capital.