Olivia Colman’s South Of The River Hires Lucy Barzan Donnelly

Olivia Colman‘s indie South of the River Pictures has hired Emmy-winning producer Lucy Barzun Donnelly.

Donnelly will oversee film development and production activities, with a focus on nurturing new and established creators from diverse backgrounds on and off screen. In addition to the new hire, Lina Stroud is promoted to Director of Development, Film & TV. She has been with the Sister-backed company since its inception.

Donnelly began her career at John Lyons’ production company, Kalkaska, where she co-produced the Oscar-nominated drama Pieces of April and worked across the likes of Austin Powers: Goldmember. She then launched her own production company, developing and producing pics including The Go Getter and the Emmy-winning Grey Gardens, starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. Other credits include Friends with Kids and Maggie’s Plan.

South of the River was founded by Oscar-winner Colman and Ed Sinclair in 2019. It was behind Sky’s BAFTA-winning Landscapers, starring Colman and David Thewlis, along with Studiocanal movie Wicked Little Letters. Upcoming is twisted romance Wicker starring Colman and Dev Patel.

Colman and Sinclair said: “We’re thrilled to have Lucy on board to help us steer South of the River through this exciting new chapter.  She’s hugely experienced, with relationships spanning decades on both sides of the Atlantic, and has a great eye for an idea and the connections that will bring it to life.”