Drama Duo Dominic Cooke and Kate Horton Say Goodbye to Fictionhouse
In a transition that’s both surprising and not-so-shocking, notable UK drama producers Dominic Cooke and Kate Horton are bidding adieu to their brainchild, Fictionhouse. Founded in 2020 with aspirations of reigniting creativity in film, theatre, and television—like a match struck in a dark room—the duo has decided to pursue independent projects. This comes as the production landscape in the UK faces some uphill battles, such as soaring costs and shifting strategies from streaming giants, making the drama scene tougher than finding a needle in a haystack.
Cooke, who’s stepping away from the reins, is reportedly gearing up to direct the legendary Imelda Staunton in George Bernard Shaw’s classic play “Mrs. Warren’s Profession.” This follows their successful collaboration on “Hello, Dolly!” last year at the Palladium, proving that good things happen when they team up. Meanwhile, Horton has strapped on her producer boots to work on Mike Bartlett’s “Unicorn” at the Garrick Theatre, which she’s been developing through her own production company.
Fictionhouse, which was backed by Newen Studios (soon to be rebranded as Studio TF1) and part of the French broadcasting giant TF1, cited internal changes in the UK market, raising eyebrows about Newen’s commitment to the region. A spokesperson has reassured that despite Fictionhouse’s closure, they remain enthusiastic about nurturing projects—like the anticipated drama “Bruno”—and strengthening collaborations with other major figures in the UK entertainment scene. This includes the notable partnership with Jude Law’s Riff Raff, churning out several new projects.
In an industry where securing greenlights for series has taken on a whole new level of difficulty, this exit could signify a broader trend affecting talented professionals across the pond. Indeed, the entire UK TV drama landscape is grappling with the complexities of financing, much like a cast auditioning for a part that seems increasingly out of reach. As the heat continues to rise on show budgets, fans can only hope Cooke and Horton’s new ventures will reignite some of that theatrical magic they’ve been known for.
Looks like we’ll have to keep our eyes glued to the news for their next moves—because knowing them, they’re just getting started.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Deadline, The Guardian, Variety
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