Bad Wolf

Bad Wolf Limited is a television production company specializing in high-end drama for a global audience. Founded in 2015 by former BBC executives Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner, the company emerged from their long-standing creative partnership, which was instrumental in the 2005 revival of "Doctor Who" in Wales. This experience cemented their decision to establish the company in Wales, aiming to cultivate it as a centre of production excellence.

The company's business model revolves around producing ambitious, large-budget scripted content for major international broadcasters and streaming services, including HBO, BBC, Sky, and Disney+. Its revenue is generated through production fees, project recoveries, and corporate income. A pivotal moment in its history was the acquisition of a majority stake by Sony Pictures Television in December 2021, a deal valued between £50m-£60m which also included the Wolf Studios Wales facility and a stake in its US counterpart. This acquisition absorbed the minority stakes previously held by Sky and HBO.

Bad Wolf operates primarily from its headquarters in Cardiff, with a presence in Los Angeles through its sister company, Bad Wolf America, run by Julie Gardner. The company's core operations are deeply integrated with the Welsh economy. It established Wolf Studios Wales, a large-scale production facility in Cardiff with seven sound stages, and founded Screen Alliance Wales. Screen Alliance Wales is a non-profit initiative designed to train and develop a skilled local workforce for the film and television industry, having engaged with over 77,000 people and created a database of nearly 10,000 crew members as of June 2024. This commitment to local development is a cornerstone of the company's strategy, creating thousands of jobs and investing significantly in local suppliers.

The founders' journey is central to the company's identity. Jane Tranter, a former Head of Fiction at the BBC, and Julie Gardner, a Welsh producer, both had extensive careers at the BBC, where they were responsible for landmark dramas. Their shared history with the successful relocation of "Doctor Who" to Wales inspired them to create a production powerhouse in the region. The company’s name itself is a tribute to a memorable storyline from the revived series. Bad Wolf has produced a slate of critically acclaimed series, such as "His Dark Materials," "A Discovery of Witches," "Industry," "I Hate Suzie," and "The Night Of." Since 2023, the company has become the co-producer of "Doctor Who" in partnership with BBC Studios, bringing the founders' journey with the iconic show full circle.

Keywords: TV production, scripted drama, high-end television, film production, Jane Tranter, Julie Gardner, Doctor Who, His Dark Materials, A Discovery of Witches, Industry, Wolf Studios Wales, Screen Alliance Wales, Cardiff creative industry, Sony Pictures Television subsidiary, UK television production, global television market, Welsh film industry, HBO productions, BBC productions, Sky productions