What Clapperboard Studios does

Clapperboard Studios is a UK-based scripted television production company founded in 2020 by Mike Benson, operating as a sister company to non-scripted indie Chalkboard TV and Scottish indie Storyboard Studios within the iZen international production group (which also includes Zebra in Spain and iMagic in the Middle East). Headquartered at Colet Court, 100 Hammersmith Road, London, the company develops, produces, and delivers original drama series for UK broadcasters and streaming platforms, with Channel 5 as the dominant commissioning buyer and Paramount+ and Acorn TV as additional commissioning partners.

The company's product portfolio spans psychological thrillers (The Teacher, The Ex-Wife, Blindspot), crime dramas (Deadline, The Serial Killer's Wife, Cooper & Fry, Maxine), mystery series (The Madame Blanc Mysteries, The Good Ship Murder), and adaptations of bestselling novels (The Holiday, The Castaways, The Rumour), with multiple titles renewed across several series and additional productions in development for 2025-2026. Clapperboard operates a partnership-oriented commercial model, offering writers and directors enhanced terms akin to co-producer arrangements, and supplements solo production with co-productions involving Night Train Media, Projector Pictures, Nent Studios UK, Saffron Cherry Productions, and Kubik Films, plus international distribution handled by ITV Studios, Abacus Media Rights, and ZDF Studios.

Revenue is generated primarily through commissioned production fees and broadcast/distribution rights income from broadcasters and co-production partners, with team size at approximately 25-30 staff covering production, development, finance, and administration. The company is privately held with no external venture funding identified and is positioned as an independent creative entity within the diversified iZen group structure.

Name

Clapperboard Studios

Legal name

Clapperboard Studios

Website

https://clapperboardstudios.tv

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Clapperboard Studios is a UK-based scripted television production company founded in 2020, producing original drama series for Channel 5, Paramount+, and Acorn TV, with co-production and international distribution partnerships across Europe and the Middle East via its parent iZen group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scripted Television Production

NAICS

Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Content Studio & Creative Resourcing (In-house/Embedded Teams) (BPAFAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Recording Studios (Commercial, Project, Mobile) (MPAIAHAA)

Keywords

• Scripted drama production
• Television production services
• Indie production company
• Broadcast content creation
• TV drama commissioning

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Commissioned Production Revenue: Producing scripted drama series commissioned by UK broadcasters such as Channel 5 and Paramount+. The company develops, produces, and delivers complete series in exchange for production fees and broadcast rights fees.
2. Co-production Revenue: Joint production arrangements with international partners including Night Train Media (Germany), Projector Pictures, and Saffron Cherry Productions. Revenue shared based on production contributions and territorial rights.
3. International Distribution: International sales handled by partners including ITV Studios (for Intruder) and Abacus Media Rights (for Deadline). Revenue from licensing completed productions to international broadcasters and streaming platforms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Clapperboard Studios is a UK-based scripted television production company that develops, produces, and delivers complete drama series commissioned by UK broadcasters such as Channel 5, Paramount+, and Acorn TV. The studio produces psychological thrillers, crime dramas, mystery series, and adaptations of bestselling novels for prime-time viewing, operating end-to-end from development through delivery.

Product overview

Clapperboard Studios is a UK-based scripted TV production company offering a portfolio of drama series across multiple seasons and formats. The company's product portfolio includes psychological thrillers (The Teacher, The Ex-Wife, Blindspot), crime dramas (Deadline, The Serial Killer's Wife, Cooper & Fry), mystery series (Madame Blanc Mysteries, The Good Ship Murder), and adaptations of bestselling novels (The Holiday, The Castaways, The Rumour). Productions are commissioned by UK broadcasters including Channel 5, Paramount+, and Acorn TV. The company operates as part of the iZen international production group alongside sister companies Chalkboard TV and Storyboard Studios.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Teacher Psychological thriller drama series following Jenna, a teacher accused of a drunken sexual encounter with one of her students who must uncover the truth about her past. Commissioned by Channel 5.
• Intruder Crime drama following an affluent couple whose lives are shattered when two local youths break into their luxurious coastal home.
• Deadline Mainstream noir drama following a journalist who falls in love with the femme fatale accused of a brutal murder.
• The Madame Blanc Mysteries Crime drama series following antiques dealer Jean White as she investigates mysteries, co-produced with Acorn TV for international distribution.
• The Good Ship Murder Comedy drama series set on a luxury Mediterranean cruise ship, following former detective Jack Grayling who investigates murders while pursuing his cabaret singing dream.
• The Ex-Wife Psychological thriller based on Jess Ryder's novel, telling the story of Tasha whose life is disrupted by her husband's ex-wife.
• Maxine Acclaimed drama revisiting the Soham murders through the eyes of Maxine Carr.
• The Holiday Thriller adaptation of T.M. Logan's bestselling novel, following four friends whose dream holiday in France becomes a nightmare.
• Desperate Measures Bank heist thriller following Rowan who commits a dangerous robbery at the bank she works in to save her son.
• The House Across the Street Drama following single mother and school nurse Claudia who becomes embroiled in a missing child case that turns to obsession.
• Blindspot Thriller starring Beth Alsbury and Ross Kemp, following a disabled woman who risks her life investigating an attack she witnessed on CCTV.
• The Cuckoo Family drama where a family's desire for a fresh start unravels when their lodger's true identity is revealed.
• The Serial Killer's Wife Drama where a woman's life is turned upside down when her husband, a beloved local doctor, is arrested for murder.
• Cooper & Fry Crime drama based on Stephen Booth's bestselling novels, following mismatched detectives DC Ben Cooper and DC Diane Fry in the Peak District.
• Love Rat Drama following recently divorced Emma who discovers she's been scammed out of her life savings and embarks on a dangerous mission to get her money back.
• The Rumour 5x60 adaptation of Lesley Kara's novel about single mother Joanna who starts a rumour about a notorious child killer living in her town.
• The Castaways Thriller adaptation following sisters Lori and Erin on a holiday in Fiji, where after a fight Erin never boards the flight and Lori's plane vanishes.
• Girl Taken Drama following twin sisters torn apart by tragedy when Lily vanishes at 17 and returns five years later as a grown woman with a horrifying tale.
• The Game Psychological thriller following former detective Huw who becomes obsessed with catching the Ripton Stalker when new neighbour Patrick moves in.
• The Good Ship Murder - Series 3 Third series of the comedy drama following former detective Jack Grayling investigating murders on a luxury Mediterranean cruise ship.
• The Teacher - Series 3 Third series of the psychological thriller drama following a teacher drawn into dark situations involving students and colleagues.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 Channel 5 drama orders within 4 months of launch demonstrating strong broadcaster relationships

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Chalkboard TVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-scripted indie production company that is the sister company of Clapperboard Studios. Both companies are led by Managing Director Mike Benson. Chalkboard produced Channel 5's first original scripted series Cold Call.
• Storyboard StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScottish indie production company, part of the Clapperboard/iZen group. Established in 2019 alongside Chalkboard.
• iZen GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational production group that owns Clapperboard Studios, Chalkboard TV, Storyboard Studios, Zebra (Spain), and iMagic (Middle East). Provides international infrastructure, distribution relationships, and financial backing.
• Night Train MediamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman indie production company co-producing Deadline with Clapperboard. Also involved in The Holiday production.
• Abacus Media RightsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational sales agent handling worldwide distribution for Deadline and other Clapperboard productions.
• Projector PicturesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction company founded by Trevor Eve, co-producing The Holiday adaptation alongside Clapperboard, Nent UK, and Night Train Media.
• Nent Studios UKmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead production company on The Holiday adaptation, with Clapperboard, Projector Pictures, and Night Train Media as co-production partners.
• ITV StudiosmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational distribution rights holder for Clapperboard's Intruder, placing the production with broadcasters globally.
• Saffron Cherry ProductionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer on The Madame Blanc Mysteries (working title The Reluctant Madame Blanc), working alongside Clapperboard, Channel 5, and Acorn TV.
• Acorn TVmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational SVOD platform co-commissioning The Madame Blanc Mysteries with Channel 5. International distribution partner for UK broadcast content.
• Kubik FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner with whom Clapperboard won the Marseille Series Stories award for direction on The Serial Killer's Wife.
• ZDF StudiosminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational distributor boarding Death in Benidorm, another Clapperboard production.
• Newen StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational studio group shown in partners section, potentially connected through iZen network relationships.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sister Pictures: UK scripted drama indie producing Chernobyl, The Split, and Landscapers. Focuses on prestige scripted drama for UK broadcasters and streamers, comparable to Clapperboard in scale and genre ambition with strong international co-production credentials.
• Hat Trick Productions: Established UK scripted and unscripted indie producing Outlander-adjacent formats, Derry Girls, and Father Ted. UK PSB commissioning partner comparable to Clapperboard in model but with longer operating history and broader genre reach.
• Mammoth Screen: UK scripted drama indie producing premium series (Noughts + Crosses, The Serpent, World on Fire) for BBC and other UK broadcasters. Now owned by ITV Studios, comparable in scale and genre focus to Clapperboard, with similar PSB commissioning model and international co-production approach.
• New Pictures: UK scripted drama indie producing The Missing, Liar, and The Stranger. Owned by All3Media, focused on serialized psychological thriller drama for ITV and other UK broadcasters, directly comparable to Clapperboard's slate in genre and commissioning model.
• World Productions: UK scripted drama indie behind Line of Duty, Bodyguard, and The Capture. Produces high-end serialized drama for BBC and other UK broadcasters with strong international distribution, structurally similar to Clapperboard's scripted PSB commissioning model.
• Red Production Company: UK scripted drama indie behind It's a Sin, The Trial of Christine Keeler, and Queer as Folk. Produces premium scripted drama for Channel 4 and other UK broadcasters; structurally similar to Clapperboard with comparable headcount and genre focus.
• Tall Story Pictures: UK scripted drama indie producing Behind Her Eyes, The One That Got Away, and television adaptations. Comparable to Clapperboard in scale, genre (psychological thrillers and adaptations), and PSB commissioning focus.
• Quay Street Productions: UK scripted drama indie producing Happy Valley, Gentleman Jack, and Alma's Not Normal. Indie scripted producer for BBC and other UK PSBs, comparable to Clapperboard's mission and target commissioning partners.
• Baby Cow Productions: UK scripted comedy/drama indie producing Fleabag, Mighty Boosh, and The Duchess. Indie scripted producer of comparable scale, focusing on distinctive British voices for UK broadcasters and streamers, similar partnership-style reputation model.

Broad incumbents

• Tiger Aspect Productions: Major UK scripted and unscripted production company (Peaky Blinders, Mr Bean, Robin Hood), part of Endemol Shine/Banijay. Larger scripted incumbent that competes for PSB commissions and is also a known talent pipeline for Clapperboard staff.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/clapperboard_st
• Facebookfacebook.com/ClapperboardSt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clapperboard-st

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clapperboard Studios