Veteran UK Television Producer Nick Curwin Steps Down After Founding Multiple Production Companies
Nick Curwin is retiring from Matisse, an independent production incubator he co-founded seven years ago, ending a career that included launching two prominent British production companies. Curwin previously established Dragonfly and The Garden, which created successful unscripted programming including Ambulance and Squid Game: The Challenge before being acquired by major media companies. Co-founder Scarlett Ewens will assume sole leadership of Matisse, which continues backing emerging indie producers.
Nick Curwin's career trajectory reflects the evolution of British independent television production over the past two decades. His first venture, Firefly, gained recognition in the unscripted entertainment sector before being rebranded as Dragonfly and subsequently acquired by Shine Group. Following this successful exit, Curwin established The Garden, which similarly built a portfolio of acclaimed factual programming before ITV Studios brought the company into its portfolio.
The launch of Matisse represented a shift in Curwin's approach, moving from direct production to developing emerging talent within the industry. Through the incubator model, he and Ewens supported producers such as Dan Grabiner and James Longman, enabling them to establish their own independent companies. This investment in the next generation of creative entrepreneurs demonstrates how senior producers are increasingly contributing to industry infrastructure beyond their own productions.
Curwin's retirement may influence the landscape of British independent production, particularly regarding mentorship and incubation opportunities for emerging producers. The transition of Matisse's leadership to Ewens could affect which emerging companies receive backing and strategic support. More broadly, the shift could signal how established producers are repositioning themselves within an industry facing consolidation pressures and changing distribution models, potentially shaping opportunities for independent voices in UK television production.