EXCLUSIVE: The Day of the Jackal producer Carnival Films has promoted Nigel Marchant to Co-Executive Chair.

Marchant will now serve alongside founder Gareth Neame running the Universal International Studios-backed drama indie. He will work with Neame shaping Carnival’s strategic direction and overseeing its portfolio of scripted projects.

Marchant, who joined Carnival as an EP in 2011 having worked on Downton Abbey and became MD in 2017, is currently exec producing the second season of Sky and Peacock’s The Day of the Jackal starring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch. Other recent credits include Peacock’s All Her Fault starring Sarah Snook and Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, for which Colin Firth is nominated for a BAFTA at this Sunday’s TV Awards.

Neame said: “Nigel is a trusted partner and an outstanding leader at Carnival, and this promotion recognises the pivotal role he plays in our company’s success. On a personal level, Nigel and I began our journey together during the first season of Downton Abbey more than 15 years ago, and I’ve watched him help build the company that is so important to me. I cannot think of a more worthy person to share the Chair title with.”

Marchant added: “I am so thrilled that Gareth has asked me to join him as Co-Executive Chair of Carnival. We’ve worked closely together on many wonderful projects over the last 15 years, and this new title celebrates that sustained collaboration as we look forward to continuing to steer the company as producing partners.”