Clelia Mountford, known for her influential role in shaping Bad Sisters and other acclaimed series, is departing Merman, the production powerhouse she co-founded with Sharon Horgan in 2014, according to Deadline report. Mountford is setting her sights on a new venture—Sunburnt Penguin, a scripted indie under the banner of All3 Media.
Sunburnt Penguin joins All3 Media’s array of scripted labels, specializing in drama and comedy. The indie launches with a development slate already in motion, promising fresh storytelling to audiences.
Reflecting on her transition, Mountford said, “After a wonderful decade at Merman, I am delighted to be joining the brilliant All3Media family for my next chapter. I’m looking forward to working with this dream team as I create a slate of unique scripted series.”
During her time at Merman, Mountford played a pivotal role in developing TV and film content across the UK and U.S., garnering significant acclaim. Highlights include Bad Sisters for Apple TV+, which is poised to premiere its second season on November 13, and popular comedies like the BBC’s Motherland and There She Goes. She also contributed to Catastrophe (Channel 4 and Prime Video), This Way Up (Channel 4/Hulu), and Dreamland for Sky. Her recent projects include executive producing Disability Benefits for Channel 4 alongside Rosie Jones and Amandaland for BBC One, starring Lucy Punch.
An All3 Media spokesperson confirmed Mountford’s recent departure from Merman, underscoring her readiness to step into the new chapter with Sunburnt Penguin. Jane Turton, CEO of All3 Media, expressed her enthusiasm, said, “Clelia is an exceptionally talented producer with fantastic creative credentials. I am delighted that she is joining All3Media with Sunburnt Penguin.”
This launch aligns with All3’s strategic growth, especially following its significant £1.15 billion ($1.5 billion) acquisition by RedBird IMI. Earlier in the month, Turton hinted at forthcoming moves within the scripted space, hinting at acquisitions and new indie launches in the “next few months or years.”
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