Lantern Pictures, founded in early 2024 by multi-award-winning writer and showrunner Sarah Lambert, director Jane Manning, and TV executive Andrew Lambert, is Australia’s first showrunner-centric, female-focused production company. Under the agreement, Fremantle will have first-look access to Lantern Pictures’ productions.

Carly Heaton, Head of Scripted at Fremantle, says: “Fremantle and Lantern are creatively aligned, meaning this partnership feels natural and right. I am excited to see what we can create together as I’m a huge admirer of Sarah’s work and have wanted to collaborate with her for a long time. Her love of story and her passion for character-driven narrative is unsurpassed.”

Greg Woods, CEO of Fremantle Australia, adds: “Creative relationships are key to Fremantle’s success both here and around the world, and we are pleased to partner with the team at Lantern. Our goal is to provide the market with compelling content that reaches a wide range of audiences here in Australia with international appeal.”

Sarah Lambert is behind critically acclaimed series such as Lambs of God, Love Child and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.

Sarah Lambert says: "Lantern Pictures is thrilled to be aligning with Fremantle as part of their commitment to great storytellers and producing premium drama for both here and overseas. Being nurtured within the same dynamic creative enclave that Fremantle is building globally, alongside the excellent Australian team, is immensely exciting and provides our slate with rich opportunities.”

Christian Vesper, CEO Global Drama & Film at Fremantle, adds: “Fremantle welcomes this strategic new partnership with Sarah and the Lantern team as part of our ongoing commitment to discovering and producing award-winning drama content from all around the world. We are collaborating at a pivotal time for the new company and look forward to working together.”