Helion Partners advises Brock Media on strategic partnership with STUDIOCANAL

Brock Media is an independent drama production company, founded and led by Sarah Brocklehurst, a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit and Screen Star of Tomorrow. The company champions unique creative voices and is focused on creating original, high-quality IP across film, television, and audio for a global audience.

The partnership marks a significant milestone for Brock, which has built a reputation for bold and distinctive storytelling, supporting the company’s continued expansion and its ambitious slate of premium drama.

In 2024, Brock produced the leading film, The Outrun, starring Saoirse Ronan which earned two BAFTA nominations for Outstanding British Film and Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Sarah first broke into the industry in 2012 when she was nominated for a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Producer for Black Pond directed by Will Sharpe and Tom Kingsley. She then went on to produce Animals, based on the novel by Emma Jane Unsworth, which won a British Independent Film Award and received widespread critical acclaim for its sharp, female-led storytelling.

Brock is currently in production of a major audio drama adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice for Audible. The star-studded cast features Marisa Abela as Elizabeth Bennet and Harris Dickinson as Mr. Darcy, alongside Will Poulter, Jessie Buckley, Bill Nighy, Toheeb Jimoh and Glenn Close.

Upcoming projects include Extra Geography, the debut feature from Molly Manners (BAFTA-winning director of One Day) and acclaimed playwright and Succession screenwriter Miriam Battye based on the short story by Rose Tremain.

Brock has an attractive development slate across both TV and film – the support from STUDIOCANAL will help the company maximise its progression to commission and success.

“We’ve worked twice with Tom and his team at Helion in recent years, firstly on our development deal with BBC Studios and now on this transaction with STUDIOCANAL, and on each occasion they have been fantastic to work with – helping introduce us to different interested parties and navigating the complexity of the negotiations of deal structuring to ensure we secured an attractive deal, and completed it efficiently and effectively. In STUDIOCANAL I have found a great partner with perfect cultural alignment.  They successfully distributed our most recent film, The Outrun, and I’m looking forward to working with them to generate many more success stories.” Sarah Brocklehurst

“It’s been a pleasure to advise Sarah on the evolution of Brock Media over recent years and to help her secure attractive, like-minded partners in STUDIOCANAL to ensure she realises the company’s significant potential” Tom Manwaring, Helion Partners

Helion has closed 19 leading TV production transactions in the past four years.

Helion Partners is a specialist M&A firm providing partner-led advice to leading companies and investors within the media, entertainment and marketing services sectors.

If you’re considering selling, buying, setting up a new company or coming to the end of your earn out, and want to discuss the options, please email Tom Manwaring at [email protected].