Left Bank Pictures Announces Andy Harries’ Transition to Executive Chairman Role

Left Bank Pictures founder and CEO Andy Harries is to become the first Executive Chair of the award-winning Indie.

After 18 years of leadership as CEO of the groundbreaking production company, Harries will transition to the role of Executive Chairman in 2026, remaining in position as Chief Executive until a replacement is in post.

This transition marks the next chapter in the company’s ongoing evolution and growth as part of Sony Pictures Television.

The newly created post will see Harries continue to provide oversight and guidance on the creative direction of the company while playing a key role in the company’s long-term goals, maintaining strategic relationships for the business on the global stage.

Harries will also continue in his role as Executive Producer on key current and future Left Bank Pictures titles including the forthcoming adaptation of James Graham’s Dear England; Stephen Butchard’s This City Is Ours – which is being launched this week at London Screenings – and Scott Frank’s new detective series for Netflix Department Q - due early Summer.

Wayne Garvie said: ““Legend is an over-used term - except for Andy Harries. He is a television legend and at Left Bank Pictures he has built one of the great global drama labels. Left Bank shows are clever, cheeky and creative, like the man himself. Everyone at Sony is overjoyed that we are going to continue our relationship with him in this new role.”

Andy Harries said: “These are interesting times.  Our business is changing at lightning speed, and this new role means that I can focus on how Left Bank continues to meet the creative and financial challenges of producing top end UK drama in a challenging environment.  But this isn’t me picking up the proverbial pipes and slippers! We have some terrific shows coming up and I’m excited to continue to be involved with them - and a few others we have up our sleeves.  I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved at Left Bank over the last 18 years, the programmes and the team we have built,  and looking forward to being part of the next chapter in the story.”

Since launching Left Bank Pictures in 2007 the company has gone from strength to strength under Harries’ leadership.  Twice named Best Independent Production Company at the Broadcast Awards in 2011 and 2018, the indie was also named Production Company of the Year at the Edinburgh International Television Festival in 2017.

Their production slate includes some of the best known and most successful scripted series in global TV with partners including Netflix, BBC, HBO / Cinemax, Sky, Starz, Amazon, WGBH, YouTube and ITV. Motion picture credits include Sony Pictures, Europacorp, Optimum Releasing, Film4 and Pathe.

Left Bank Pictures’ films and scripted series have been recognised by all the major awards bodies around the world including Golden Globes, Emmys, Academy Awards, BAFTA and Royal Television Society amongst many others.

The Crown alone has won 24 Primetime Emmys amongst a slew of other awards.

In 2007, Andy was awarded the Special Achievement award by BAFTA, and in May 2011, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Television Society for outstanding contribution to the broadcasting industry. In 2024, Andy received the British Press Guild Lifetime Achievement Award and he was awarded an OBE in the 2019 Birthday Honours list for services to the television and film industry.

Andy is the Chair of Film London’s Executive Task Force and he sits on the board of the National Film and Television School for which he has been a long time supporter.  In 2024 a sale of props and costumes from The Crown raised over £1.6 million which went towards establishing the Left Bank Pictures – The Crown scholarship, which will support at least 50 students to train at the NFTS over the next 20 years.

Harries began his career as an award-winning documentary maker, producing and directing films for programs such as Arena, Omnibus, The South Bank Show, and the Emmy-nominated Africa for Channel 4. He later transitioned into comedy, directing and producing Lenny Henry's feature film Lenny: Live and Unleashed. 

Prior to establishing Left Bank Pictures, Harries was Controller of Drama, Comedy and Film for Granada Productions. During this period, he produced countless British classics including The Deal, Prime Suspect, Cold Feet and The Royle Family, winning Golden Globes, Emmys and BAFTAs and receiving an Academy Award nomination as a producer of The Queen, which saw a run of six Academy Award nominations and Helen Mirren taking home the award for Best Actress.