Saffron Cherry produces dynamic, award-winning television, cinematic film and digital short-form content, across scripted and non-scripted genres. Championing diversity on and off screen, accessibility and quality storytelling on every platform are our key drivers.
We are Manchester based and actively promote creativity rooted in the North West which has a global appeal. We have strong relationships with talent and distributors globally to reach audiences worldwide. Saffron Cherry develops IP around new and established talent, national institutions, local voices and stories, to which we have exclusive access. Saffron Cherry has a proven track record in developing shows which create strong roles for women and other under-represented groups, in a variety of genres including factual, drama, kids, and animation. We also work collaboratively with other producers and companies on a range of commissions.

DRAMA

We are proud to work with established writers and exciting emerging voices. Our development slate has a strong sense of place, be it period or contemporary and sometimes our factual slate drives drama development. We are especially interested in unique biographical access, diverse storytellers, book adaptations and strong female voices. We are a company where writers know they are cherished, supported and properly rewarded.

We also work with comics, singers, presenters and actors in scripted as we know they are not just, ‘’them off the telly’. Working collaboratively is one of our strengths and we are proud and excited to be working with Clapperboard Studios on our new series The Madame Blanc Mysteries for Channel 5 and Acorn TV. The Madame Blanc Mysteries was created by, and stars, Saffron Cherry’s Creative Director Sally Lindsay who also co-wrote this six-part antiques detective series with Sue Vincent.

KIDS

From pre-school through to family viewing, Saffron Cherry’s multi-disciplinary offer is the creation of engaging, educational, entertaining and returnable content for kids’ television. Whether it’s for an international broadcaster or a streaming service, we work with everyone from incredible writers to brilliant animators in order to amplify authentic voices.

We are in creative development with Chris Heath, Emma Reeves, Keith Brumpton, Tanya Samuel, Emma Kennedy, Karen Bayley, Yennis Cheung, Shin Fei Chen, Aeddan Sussex, Emmanuel Sonubi, Mark Strong, Tayo Akinbode, Ria Munshi, David Waldman and the puppet-makers, Talk to the Hand.

We are thrilled that Grandpa has been awarded Best Pre-School Programme by the Broadcast Awards and has been selected by The Voice of the Listener and Viewer as the Best Children's Programme 2022 Winner! Not to be outdone, Wonton has also been nominated internationally twice! 

Well done Team Grandpa and Team Wonton.

FACTUAL

Rooted locally, Saffron Cherry’s factual offer spans historical interest pieces, science, arts and education, alongside contemporary issues to share important and untold stories. Delivering to digital audiences in addition to broadcast channels, we ensure that our presenter-led pieces both inform and engage as well as provide opportunities for diverse talent on and off-screen.

Invented in the North West,(RTS nominated) Dot’s Farm and Emmeline Pankhurst the Making of a Militant (02 Media Award winner) were all filmed in the North-West with female presenters; the scientist Professor Danielle George MBE, farmer and entrepreneur Dot McCarthy and feminist actor and writer Sally Lindsay – and all were produced and directed by BAFTA winner Helen Tither.

Passions; Noel Coward by Julian Clary for Sky Arts was directed by RTS winning Philippa Banyard, where we ventured slightly further afield – from Noel Coward’s birthplace in Twickenham to his grave in Jamaica. This film was nominated for best documentary at the Broadcast Digital Awards and also for the inaugural Diversify TV Awards at MipCom, Cannes

FILM

Be it traditional storytelling with a subversive, inspirational twist or a new writer with an unmissable tale, Saffron Cherry ensures our film offering is shared with audiences worldwide. Saffron Cherry supports the passion of under-represented stories in film, regionally and globally.

Saffron Cherry worked in conjunction with the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester and Talawa to produce King Lear: The Film starring Don Warrington and directed by multi BAFTA-winning Bridget Caldwell. The film was commissioned by The British Council Shakespeare Lives campaign and Space and was screened free in cinemas as part of Black History Month, it played at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival and transmitted on BBC 4 on Christmas Day 2016. It was RTS North nominated for best use of multi-platform and is now available to buy via Amazon or through The Digital Theatre

DIGITAL

Saffron Cherry has a wealth of experience in developing digital-first content as well as re-configuring linear projects for digital platforms. Our relationships and experience mean we’re pretty blinking good at nurturing young talent, developing new ideas and reaching new audiences all the time.

Commissioned across BBC Education platforms Teach and Bitesize we also support visual artists like Joe Simpson and have created additional content for The Digital Theatre around King Lear. We expanded our original thirty minute Emmeline Pankhurst documentary into a one hour international film and also created four Emmeline curriculum films for Bitesize. We’re also extremely proud that the Mayor of Manchester’s office distributed the Emmeline DVD to all Greater Manchester Secondary Schools.

COMEDY

The very first Saffron Cherry commission was a comedy show for London Live The Charlie Hides TV Show featuring celebrated star of international cabaret and drag circuit Charlie Hides, with a guest appearance from Kylie Minogue. This won an RTS North low budget award or as we proudly know it, the “Frugal Northern Bird’’ award.
Aspiring now to bigger budgets our sitcoms are set in a Chinese takeaway, a Digital marketing agency, a Recruitment agency and on Segways.