Adrian Sturges

Biography

Adrian Sturges, born on October 17, 1976, in Lewisham, London, United Kingdom, is a highly respected British film and television producer. Known for his keen eye for compelling stories and his ability to nurture directorial talent, Sturges has built a diverse and impactful career, spanning independent features, acclaimed television dramas, and genre-bending projects.

Early Life and Education

Sturges grew up in Rochester, Kent, and received his education at The King's School, Rochester. His academic pursuits led him to King's College, Cambridge, where he studied Theology and Religious Studies and History of Art, graduating with First Class Honours in 1998. During his time at Cambridge, he was actively involved in the university's dramatic scene, serving as President of the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club and producing comedy for the renowned Footlights.

Following his university studies, Sturges further honed his craft by studying producing at the National Film and Television School, undertaking their Industry Course. He was also selected for the inaugural Inside Pictures scheme, a program designed to develop top film business practitioners.

Career in Production

Adrian Sturges began his career as an assistant to producer Simon Relph, who was also chairman of BAFTA. This foundational experience provided him with valuable insights into the industry. He soon transitioned into producing short films, collaborating with emerging directors such as Rupert Wyatt (Subterrain, Get the Picture), Gareth Lewis (Normal for Norfolk), and Sam Taylor-Wood (Love You More), with the latter being nominated for a BAFTA and the Palme d'Or.

His first feature film as a producer was The Baker (2007), written and directed by Gareth Lewis. This was swiftly followed by The Escapist (2008), Rupert Wyatt's debut feature, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and earned Sturges the British Independent Film Awards prize for Best Achievement in Production. He then produced The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009), written and directed by J Blakeson, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Sturges has continued to build a strong filmography, which includes:

• Albatross (2011), the film debut of Niall MacCormick.
• Summerland (2020).
• Sweetness in the Belly (2019) as Executive Producer.
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In television, Adrian Sturges has also made significant contributions:

• Whatever Happened to Harry Hill? (Channel 4), a spoof documentary.
• The Enfield Haunting (2015), for which he received a BAFTA Television Award nomination for Mini-Series.
• Chimerica (2019).
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• The Third Day (2020), a psychological thriller for HBO/Sky Studios, for which he was also an executive producer.
• The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself (2022) for Netflix, an adaptation by Joe Barton for Andy Serkis's company, The Imaginarium.
• Gangs of London (2020) as executive producer.

In December 2022, Adrian Sturges joined Sky Studios as an Executive Producer in their drama team, overseeing the production, execution, and delivery of Sky Original dramas. In this role, he works with both indie-commissioned projects and in-house developments, aiming to support "bold, ambitious work that will surprise and delight audiences."

Recognition and Future Endeavors

Adrian Sturges has been widely recognized for his talent and contribution to the industry. He was named a "Producer to Watch" by Variety, a "Star of Tomorrow" by Screen International, and a "Producer on the Move" at the Cannes Film Festival by European Film Promotion. In 2011, BAFTA named him a "Brit to Watch."

Future projects for Sturges include J Blakeson's Bad Blood and Trouble, which he is producing with Michael De Luca. His career trajectory highlights his consistent commitment to producing high-quality, distinctive content across various platforms.