STV Studios Drama rebrands as Blackhill

Producers of Netflix series The Witness and award-winning BBC drama Elizabeth is Missing announce refreshed identity

STV Studios today announces that scripted production label, STV Studios Drama, has rebranded as Blackhill.

The company – whose productions includes powerful new true-crime drama, The Witness (Netflix), award-winning TV film, Elizabeth is Missing (BBC), prison drama, Screw (Channel 4) and tense legal thriller The Victim (BBC) – has created a new identity to reflect the evolution of their output and identity.

The name Blackhill is inspired by the iconic TV transmitting station that has carried stories across Scotland for generations. Though rooted in its Scottish origins, Blackhill has offices in both Glasgow and London and creates scripted television for UK and international audiences.

Sarah Brown, Creative Director of Blackhill, said:

“We set out to create an identity that truly reflects who we are now — our personality, our vision and our ambition. Blackhill is a drama studio dedicated to bold, emotionally rich storytelling and unforgettable characters. We champion work that entertains, surprises and moves audiences, always underpinned by an uncompromising commitment to quality.

“We are proud of STV drama’s heritage, but now is the time to refresh our brand to better position us for the future and for the stories we want to tell from Scotland and beyond.”

Alongside Sarah Brown in the Blackhill team are Claire Armspach (Director of Drama Development), Sara Hamill (Director of Production), Andy Daniel (Script Editor), Jennifer Lowe (Development Coordinator), Katy Engels (Production Executive) and Hattie Byrne (Drama Assistant).

Blackhill’s latest production, The Witness – which focuses on André Hanscombe and his son Alex, the sole witness to the murder of his mother Rachel Nickell on Wimbledon Common, is available to stream on Netflix now. The Witness is currently number one in the UK Netflix chart. Netflix has also acquired the team’s 2019 series, The Victim.

STV Studios is headed up by CEO David Mortimer. Other scripted production labels in the portfolio include Two Cities Television (Blue Lights, Amadeus); Tod Productions (Criminal Record); and new label Ferryman Films, founded by Kevin McKidd (of Trainspotting and Grey’s Anatomy fame).