In a significant move for British television, streaming giant Disney+ has announced a major two-year partnership with the acclaimed production company Matriarch Productions. The deal will see a slate of new original scripted and unscripted series developed exclusively for the platform.
A Powerhouse Partnership for UK Storytelling
The agreement, confirmed on Wednesday 14 January 2026, links Disney+ with the prolific company co-founded by celebrated actors Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters. Matriarch Productions is the creative force behind critically lauded hits such as the Netflix drama Adolescence and the Hulu Original series A Thousand Blows.
In a joint statement, Graham and Walters expressed their excitement about the collaboration. They said the creative partnership with Disney+ would allow them to strive to produce "inspiring, entertaining and thought-provoking storytelling" for a global audience.
Aligning Visions for Underrepresented Voices
Angela Jain, the head of content for Disney+ in the EMEA region, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal. She praised Graham and Walters for their proven ability to tell "bold, impactful stories." Jain emphasised that their vision aligns with Disney+'s commitment to "providing a platform for underrepresented voices in the UK."
Jain added that Matriarch's dedication to creating "distinctive, local stories that entertain and resonate" makes them ideal partners as Disney+ looks to expand and evolve its UK production slate. She described the deal as a "dream" and stated the streaming service was "thrilled to continue working with them."
A Track Record of Critical and Cultural Impact
Matriarch Productions brings a formidable reputation to the partnership. Its series Adolescence, which stars Stephen Graham as a father grappling with his son's arrest, recently won the Golden Globe for Best TV limited series, anthology series or motion picture made for television.
Co-written by Graham and Jack Thorne, the programme ignited a national conversation on online safety, tackling difficult themes like incel culture, online misogyny, and social media bullying. Its impact was so profound that Graham and Thorne were invited to a parliamentary meeting on the subject by Labour MP Josh MacAlister. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also praised the series, recommending it be watched in Parliament and schools.
The company's first feature film, Boiling Point, premiered at the London Film Festival in 2021 and earned four BAFTA Film nominations before being adapted into a six-part BBC series. Furthermore, both seasons of their series A Thousand Blows are currently available to stream on Disney+ in the UK.
This exclusive two-year deal signals Disney+'s serious investment in high-quality, locally-produced British content that has both entertainment value and social relevance, promising viewers a new wave of compelling original programming.
