EXCLUSIVE: A day after it emerged that natural history veteran Martha Holmes was stepping down from her role at Plimsoll Productions, the company has a replacement.
It has promoted Mark Brownlow to the role of Head of Natural History with Alex Ranken appointed Creative Director of Natural History.
Brownlow, who was previously Creative Director for the genre, will lead the division’s “strategic and creative direction, steering its editorial vision and overseeing the department’s development group”. He joined the company in 2023 after spending more than 20 years at the BBC’s Natural History Unit working on landmark series such as Blue Planet II and Frozen Planet II.
At Plimsoll, he has worked on Nat Geo’s Incredible Animal Journeys, narrated by Jeremy Renner and upcoming titles include Nightmares of Nature, a horror-nature hybrid developed with Blumhouse Television, BBC’s Secret Garden and ITV’s Force of Nature.
Ranken (left) will take on Brownlow’s previous title, having spent the last five years with Plimsoll, directing and producing series including Apple’s Tiny World and Disney+’s A Real Bug’s Life, for which he earned an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Single Camera Live Action Series.
“Mark is, quite simply, one of the best wildlife filmmakers in the world and during his time at Plimsoll has proved himself to be an exceptional creative leader,” said Grant Mansfield, Founder and Chief Executive of Plimsoll Productions. “I’m delighted he’s agreed to lead our brilliant natural history department and really pleased that with him and Martha on the Plimsoll Board, the two of them will continue to work together as colleagues in their new roles.”
“Mark’s promotion is well deserved and part of a long-planned succession strategy,” added Holmes. “I can’t think of anyone better to step into this role; his creative energy, deep expertise and generosity as a leader make him a natural fit to guide the team forward.”
“It’s a rare privilege to lead a department with such rich talent and bold creative ambition. I’m grateful to Martha for her mentorship and proud to help carry forward Plimsoll’s legacy of innovation and excellence in natural history storytelling,” said Brownlow. “Alex is an extraordinary talent – he’s a creative force and a rising star whose passion, innovation, and cinematic eye are reshaping the way we experience the natural world.”