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,...