Jon Petrie, BBC’s Director of Comedy has confirmed that he is leaving the BBC to join Hat Trick Productions as Creative Director.
Jon joined the BBC in 2021, and during his tenure he has been responsible for a huge range of pioneering and distinctive shows. From Alma’s Not Normal, Amandaland, Black Ops, Death Valley, Dreaming Whilst Black, Juice, Ludwig, Small Prophets, Smoggie Queens, Such Brave Girls, Things You Should Have Done and We Might Regret This ; to family favourites such as Ghosts, Here We Go and the record breaking Gavin and Stacey : The Finale.
Jon also established the hugely successful BBC Comedy Festival which has just marked its fifth year in Liverpool. It’s a celebration of UK comedy talent – both new and established, on camera and behind the scenes – and brings the industry together to ensure comedy gets the attention and respect it deserves.
Jon Petrie says: "Leaving the BBC after five brilliant years is a huge wrench. It is an extraordinary place, full of wildly talented, decent and funny people, and I feel incredibly lucky to have worked under Kate Phillips’ leadership.
"Hat Trick is the OG of the independent production community, and taking on the role of Creative Director feels like a rare and properly exciting opportunity. I grew up seeing that logo at the end of shows I loved, which is both exciting and a fairly brutal reminder of my age. Jimmy and the team have a genuinely forward-looking vision across scripted, short form and AI, and while I know it is a tricky time to turn from gamekeeper to poacher, I’ve missed production and I firmly believe British comedy still has huge opportunities ahead of it. I’m excited to help build what comes next."
Jimmy Mulville, founder and Managing Director of Hat Trick said "Everyone here is beyond excited to have Jon join us. I've watched with great admiration as he guided BBC Comedy through its most successful and creative period in a long time. Shows like Ludwig, Amandaland, Alma's Not Normal and Small Prophets, to name but a few, demonstrate his extraordinary range and impeccable taste. Jon and Hat Trick both share the same comedy DNA and we can't wait to start working with him. We feel very honoured that he has chosen Hat Trick as his new home."
Kate Phillips. BBC’s Chief Content Officer says: "Jon has had a huge impact since joining the BBC five years ago and has been British comedy’s biggest backer by far. I’m very sad to see him go, but he leaves on a comedy high. Jon’s vision and drive have delivered a remarkable number of hit shows, reflecting his commitment to giving original voices the space to take risks. Under Jon’s leadership it’s been a terrific time for the genre, with the BBC securing 8 out of the top 10 comedy programmes across the market last year and three recent BAFTA wins. On a personal note, whilst I’m excited for Jon and wish him loads of luck, I’m going to miss working with him hugely, as will so many colleagues. It’s the worst comedy punchline of all!"
Jon Petrie will leave the BBC in August and Emma Lawson will step up as Interim Director of Comedy with immediate effect.
The BBC will begin recruitment for a new Director of Comedy with further details to be announced soon.
Jon joined the BBC from Netflix-invested indie, Broke and Bones, owned by Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones, where he was Head of Comedy. Previously he was Comedy Commissioning Editor at Channel 4.
Jon started his career making internet comedy shorts for BBC Comedy (including cult hit Misery Bear). He went on to nurture a portfolio of new wave talent for television, including Bafta and RTS winning Stath Lets Flats (C4) and all five series of the Bafta and RTS winning People Just Do Nothing, executive producing from series four.
