Slow Horses producer See-Saw Films has hired Fifth Season‘s Ben Irving, with Helen Gregory exiting after five years.
Irving has been appointed Joint Managing Director, working alongside Simon Gillis, who holds the same post. There’s currently no word on Gregory’s next role, but she is explring “the next step” of her career and said she would “enjoy watching [See-Saw] go from success to success under the guidance of Ben and Simon Gillis.”
Irving, who is well known in the UK drama production scene, joins from CJ ENM-backed Fifth Season, where he has been Creative Director, International Scripted, leaving behind a slate including shows for Netflix and MGM+, and Crouch End, a six-part limited series for Prime Video that was announced last week. He launched the company’s UK development and production division in 2022.
Prior to Fifth Season, he was Acting Director of Drama at the BBC, overseeing all primetime output. He had joined BBC Drama as Head of Development in 2017 and became a commissioning editor a year later before succeeding Piers Wenger in the interim after the drama director left. During his time at the BBC, he executive produced the likes of His Dark Materials, Industry, The Capture, Doctor Who and the final season of Happy Valley.
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Before that, Irving was Vice President, Development & Production at David Heyman’s Heyday Films, where he worked on Gravity, Paddington, Paddington 2, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and The Secret Garden. Earlier in his career, he worked in development at Warner Bros. Pictures and at Michael Kuhn’s Qwerty Films.
“Ben is such a highly respected creative and strategic leader, with a deep understanding of the market, longstanding relationships across the creative community both in the UK and abroad, and a wealth of industry experience,” said Emile Sherman and Iain Canning in a statement. “Together with Simon Gillis, Ben will be a powerful force as we continue to grow our scripted television slate.”
He joins the Mediawan-owned See-Saw amid plans to further expand the UK creative division, which is responsible for Apple TV’s Emmy-nominated Slow Horses, Netflix’s Heartstopper and Sky and Starz co-pro Sweetpea. Upcoming productions from the wider business include feature film Tenzing for Apple Original Films, Grown Ups for Netflix, The Great White for ABC in Australia and Disney, alongside returning seasons of Slow Horses and Sweetpea.
“I’ve spent my career admiring See-Saw from afar as it has grown into a powerhouse studio, driven by creative ambition, so when the opportunity arose to join Iain, Emile, Simon and Liz at this exciting phase in the evolution of the company, I couldn’t let it pass me by,” said Irving.
Gregory exits after five years working alongside Gillis. She is credited with having played pivotal roles in Slow Horses, Sweetpea, Apple Cider Vinegar and Heartstopper, and for having a central role in the 2025 deal that saw See-Saw sold to Mediawan. She also secured the rights to The Neverending Story, which the company is developing with Michael Ende Productions as a series of live-action feature films.
“I’ve had such a fun and exciting five years at See-Saw building on the company’s existing achievements. I’m grateful to Iain and Emile for their trust and support, along with Pierre-Antoine Capton, Elisabeth d’Arvieu and their teams at Mediawan who have been a joy to work with,” said Gregory. Collaborating with Liz Watts and her team and forging bonds with the creative community in Australia has been a privilege.”
“We are so grateful to Helen for everything she has brought to See-Saw over the past five years,” added Sherman and Canning in their statement. “Her creative instincts, unwavering commitment to exceptional storytelling, and ability to attract and champion writers and directors have continued our drive to be the company we are today.
“The strength of our slate, the success of our returning series and the exciting projects to come all owe a great deal to Helen’s talent and dedication, and the exceptional creative team she has built. She will be missed by us all and we wish her every success in the next chapter of her career.”
