Quay Street Productions appoints COO

Quay Street Productions, (part of ITV Studios), the Manchester-based production company founded by prolific multi-award-winning producer Nicola Shindler OBE, has appointed Samantha McMillon in the role of Chief Operating Officer.

McMillon will join Quay Street Productions in January 2023 and will work alongside Shindler as the new production company continues to see huge growth since its launch in 2021. McMillon previously built a relationship with Shindler while in post as Commercial Director – Scripted at ITV Studios, of which Quay Street is a part of. 

In the newly created role McMillon will oversee commercial operations at the production company, which is set to release its inaugural dramas in 2023; Nolly, written by Russell T Davies and starring Helena Bonham Carter, and Significant Other written by Dana Fainaru and Hamish Wright, and starring Katherine Parkinson and Youssef Kerkour, both for ITVX.  

Prior to Quay Street, McMillon was MD for Mammoth Screen, where she oversaw the companies’ growing drama slate and fostered new relationships domestically and internationally. Previously, during her tenure at ITV Studios, McMillon worked in the distribution arm’s Content team, bringing scripted content to the market from UK, European and Australian producers before becoming Commercial Director – Scripted, where she strategically worked with ITV Studios in-house drama production companies to increase growth.  

Samantha McMillon said: “Having had an opportunity to work with one of the most formidable producers in the business in Mammoth Screen, it is beyond exciting for me to be able to join another in Quay Street. I simply cannot wait to get started alongside Nicola and the Quay Street team during this period of significant growth.”

Nicola Shindler said: “As Quay Street enters a period of growth and hugely busy year in production, we are incredibly excited to have Sam on board.  Sam’s extensive experience across the industry and relationships across production and talent will be a huge asset to Quay Street and we look forward to welcoming her to the team.” 

McMillon joins a growing team at Quay Street, which counts executive producer Richard Fee, Head of Development Davina Earl, Head of Production Chris Leach and Head of Business Affairs Kate Boyle as newly installed in the last year.  

Formed in January 2021, Quay Street Productions marks a new chapter in the career of BAFTA-award winning producer Nicola Shindler, whose credits include Years and Years, Finding Alice, Happy Valley, The Stranger, and the recent hit dramas, It’s A Sin, Ridley Road, No Return and Stay Close. Sitting within ITV Studios, the label focuses on producing premium drama for the UK and international market, working with the best, new and critically acclaimed writers in the industry to create modern, innovative, and entertaining programming. 

Quay Street Productions continues to build on Shindler’s already impressive body of work as one of the UK’s leading and most decorated drama executive producers, with its slate focussing on both limited and returning series, putting writers’ voices at the centre to tell boundary-pushing, entertaining and thought-provoking stories.  

International distribution for Quay Street Productions is handled by ITV Studios. 

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