'The Office' producer and Roughcut TV's Ash Atalla joins NFTS Board

Ash Atalla, a prominent British producer known for a variety of successful projects like The Office and Stath Lets Flats, is becoming a board member at the UK's National Film and Television School (NFTS).

His appointment follows shortly after the NFTS revealed plans to expand its facilities, with the new Cubby Broccoli Building expected to open on the Beaconsfield campus by January 2027.

Atalla stands as a major figure in British comedy, having secured prestigious accolades such as Emmys, BAFTAs, and a Golden Globe, and has produced favourites like Big Boys, People Just Do Nothing, and The IT Crowd.

Renowned for supporting emerging talent, he's been a mentor to Ricky Gervais, Chris O’Dowd, Katherine Parkinson, Jamie Demetriou, and Jack Rooke during their early TV careers.

His independent company Roughcut has also ventured into drama with projects like Paramount+’s Little Disasters, 5’s Coma, and Channel 4’s Wrong Move, which is set to begin production soon.

“Ash is a key creative force in British television and has a remarkable history of spotting and nurturing new talent,” stated Sophie Turner Laing, Chair of the NFTS. “His talent in recognising and developing unique voices is unmatched, and his dedication to promoting exceptional new creatives perfectly complements the NFTS mission. His presence on the NFTS board will be invaluable, and we are excited to welcome him during such a crucial period for the school.”

Atalla made his mark in 2001 by producing the original The Office, which launched the careers of Gervais, Martin Freeman, and Mackenzie Crook, among others.

Gervais co-created the series with Stephen Merchant. Atalla later joined Talkback Thames as the Head of Comedy, producing shows like the mockumentary Look Around You, Man Stroke Woman, and the Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd.

Since launching Roughcut TV, he has been at the helm of numerous comedies including Trollied, Cuckoo, People Just Do Nothing, Stath, and Bad Boys.

“Joining the NFTS Board is a true privilege,” Atalla commented. “I vividly recall my start in this crazy yet rewarding industry, and I hope both the highlights and low points of my career offer some guidance to the new generation. My only worry is that someday a student will become my boss, and I'll have to pretend to be graceful about it. Just to be clear, I wouldn't like that very much.”

The other members of the NFTS board include BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips and her predecessor Charlotte Moore, who currently serves as CEO of Left Bank Pictures and EVP of International Production at Sony Pictures Television; Julian Bellamy, MD of ITV Studios; Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios as well as Chief Content Officer at Sky; Andrew Macdonald, co-founder of DNA Films; and Farhana Bhula, Director of Film4.