Television
February 5, 2003
John Wells Productions Signs New Exclusive Five-Year Deal With Warner Bros. Television And Warner Bros. Pictures
(February 5, 2003 – Burbank, CA) - John Wells Productions (JWP), one of the industry's most prolific production companies, has signed a new long-term production and development agreement with Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Bros. Television, it was announced today by Peter Roth, President, Warner Bros. Television and Jeff Robinov, President, Production, Warner Bros. Pictures. JWP will be exclusive in television and will continue to have a first-look agreement with the feature film division. The new agreement builds on the successful relationship between Wells and Warner Bros., which began in 1986.
This agreement with JWP, the company behind two of television's highest-rated and critically acclaimed series, "ER" and "The West Wing" and the recent Peabody Award-winner "Third Watch"; extends the company’s existing deal at the studio through June 2007.
"We are both delighted and proud to continue our relationship with John Wells, one of the most talented and respected individuals in our industry," said Mr. Roth. "John has assembled a first-rate group of executives with whom we enjoy working with immensely. This is truly a marriage made in heaven."
Concurred Mr. Robinov, “John is an immensely talented producer, with an exceptional feel for language and drama, and we look forward to working with him and his team on many future projects.”
Over the past three years, the film division at JWP has produced "White Oleander," starring Allison Lohman, Robin Wright-Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer and Renee Zellweger; and "The Good Thief," starring Nick Nolte and directed by Neil Jordan; and has put more than a dozen films into development. The company also funds Christine Vachon, Pam Koffler, and Katie Roumel's New York based Killer Films (Wells served as executive producer on “Far From Heaven,” “One Hour Photo” and “The Grey Zone”) and maintains first-look deals with Mimi Leder's Yak Yak Pictures and Kristin Harms’ Harms Way Productions.
JWP's television division has received unprecedented critical acclaim with "ER," in its ninth season, receiving 104 Emmy nominations, more than any other drama series in history, winning 19 Emmy Awards. “The West Wing" garnered 22 Emmy Awards in three years, including three consecutive wins for Outstanding Drama Series. Wells and his talented team of producers have received five Peabody Awards, nine People's Choice Awards, three Producer's Guild Awards, four Humanitas Prizes and two Golden Globe Awards, among other honors.
Executive Vice Presidents Andrew Stearn, Laura Holstein and Ned Haspel head up JWP’s executive team. Stearn, oversees the lucrative television division, while Holstein, heads the burgeoning film department. Haspel, oversees finance and business affairs for both divisions and serves as the business liaison between JWP and Warner Bros. # # #