VICE Media has acquired Cuba Pictures, a well-known British film and television production company, from the Curtis Brown Group one of the top literary and talent agencies in the UK. This move strengthens VICE Studios’ scripted content production in the UK.
Cuba Pictures will now operate as a separate label under VICE Studios. The company is best known for producing internationally successful dramas. With this acquisition, VICE Studios plans to expand its reach in scripted storytelling.
VICE Studios already has several major projects under its belt, including the hit TV series Gangs of London, the upcoming adventure drama Atomic (set to premiere on Sky), and the feature film Bad Apples with Paramount, starring Saoirse Ronan.
Dixie Linder will continue to head Cuba Pictures and will report to Jamie Hall, Co-President of VICE Studios. Nick Marston, who founded Cuba Pictures, will also stay involved and collaborate with the VICE team.
The acquisition is the latest in a string of moves by VICE Media to grow its content business. Recently, VICE struck a distribution deal with ITV Studios and acquired London Alley Entertainment. Together with Pulse Films, these acquisitions create one of the largest global studios for commercials and music video production.
Jonny Geller, CEO, Curtis Brown Group, said, “We were proud to be the first literary agency to build a production company and after 17 successful years of partnership and many award-winning productions we are delighted to see Cuba move to its next phase of growth with VICE Studios. We will be continuing to work with our friends at Cuba who have brought so many of our clients’ projects to the screen.”
Cuba Pictures has built a reputation for working with both established and emerging creative talents. Its impressive slate of work includes:
- Coalition (Channel 4), which won an RTS Award for Best Single Drama
- Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBC One), which won a BAFTA and was adapted from the best-selling novel by Susanna Clarke
- Paula (BBC Two and RTÉ), a psychological thriller
- McMafia (BBC One and Prime Video), inspired by journalist Misha Glenny’s book and starring James Norton
- The Walsh Sisters, based on Marian Keyes’ novels and currently being filmed for the BBC and RTÉ
On the film front, Cuba has produced Boy A (BAFTA winner) and Broken (BIFA winner).
Bruce Dixon, CEO, VICE Media, said, “We are impressed by the innovative shows that Cuba Pictures produces with global appeal, and this acquisition accelerates our Studios’ growth strategy in scripted content.”
Nick Marston, Founder of Cuba and Chairman of Curtis Brown’s Television, Film and Theatre Department, said, “I am very proud to have founded Cuba Pictures and to have been involved with such a great list of productions. From our first film, the remarkable Boy A in 2008, to The Walsh Sisters (currently filming), the distinguishing feature of Cuba Pictures has always been a fierce intelligence and an independent spirit, with some great clients of Curtis Brown at the heart of the creative process. I am sure that VICE Studios will continue this tradition, and I look forward to fruitful collaborations in the future.”
Dixie Linder shared her excitement about the acquisition, said, “I couldn’t be more excited for the next chapter for Cuba alongside Jamie and the brilliant team at VICE Studios. Their passion and vision make them the perfect partners for this journey, and I can’t wait to see what we create together—while continuing our very special relationship with Curtis Brown.”
Jamie Hall, Co-President of VICE Studios, said, “Dixie and the team at Cuba Pictures have an exceptional track record in the scripted space, and I am thrilled to welcome them to VICE Studios. Together we will produce incredibly compelling scripted content and extend VICE Studios’ global reach.”
VICE Media is backed by Fortress Investment Group, Soros Capital Management, and Monroe Capital. The financial terms of the Cuba Pictures acquisition were not made public.