Sister is an independent international production and entertainment company, based in London and Manchester in the UK, and New York City and Los Angeles in the US. Initially founded as Sister Pictures in the UK by British TV producer Jane Featherstone in 2014, it expanded into its present form as a global company in 2019, with co-founders Australian entrepreneur Elisabeth Murdoch, and American businesswoman Stacey Snider. Snider was CEO until she stepped down in 2023, retaining a roles of creative advisor, independent producer, as well as looking after film and TV at the LA office.
The production company Sister Pictures was founded by Jane Featherstone (formerly of Kudos) in 2014, with a minority investment from Elisabeth Murdoch (the daughter of Australian media magnate Rupert Murdoch, although not involved in his businesses). [1] The studio's first major project was the highly successful historical drama miniseries Chernobyl , for HBO and Sky, aired in 2019. [2]
On 1 October 2019, [1] the company expanded into a global studio, rebadged as simply "Sister", with co-founders Australian entrepreneur and founder of Shine Group, Elisabeth Murdoch, and American businesswoman Stacey Snider, who formerly headed Twentieth Century Fox. [2] The new company, mostly financed by Murdoch, absorbed Sister Pictures, incorporating existing team members. [1]
In May 2022, Sister entered a first-look deal deal with Wychwood Media, a new production company founded by Lewis Taylor and David Yates (producer of several Harry Potter films). [3]
Snider headed the investment, acquisition, and integration of several content companies, built the office in Los Angeles, and oversaw development of US television and film projects. [4]
In early 2023, Sister bought a large stake in Yes Yes Media, an unscripted television and video game production company founded by British TV presenter Richard Bacon. [2]
On 9 May 2023, Snider stepped down from her role as CEO of the company. She moved to a role as a creative advisor, and would also be an independent producer, looking after film and TV at the LA office. She retained shares in the company. [5] [4]
Chris Fry was appointed interim CEO in addition to his CFO role. On 1 May 2025, Lucinda Hicks was appointed CEO of the group, with Fry becoming group COO. Hicks, formerly CEO of Banijay UK and COO of Endemol Shine UK (where she and Murdoch had met), had provided consultancy to the company before her appointment. [6] [7]
The company is focused on independent film and television production. [2] Snider was leading the film business side of the company until her resignation in May 2023. [2] As of September 2025 [update] , Jane Featherstone is CCO, Elisabeth Murdoch is executive chair, and Lucinda Hicks is CEO. [8] Despite its name, the company is not purely focused on works created by women. According to Murdoch at the time of its establishment, "We embrace it much more for its values than its gender meaning. It's collaborative, it's joyful, and it means we have each other's back". [1]
It has partnerships with Dorothy Street Pictures (producer of The Greatest Night in Pop (2024); Pamela, a Love Story (2023) [7] ); Locksmith Animation (founded and run by Murdoch); podcast company Campside; American independent publisher Zando; comic book and digital media publisher AWA Studios; the London music venue KOKO, [2] and scripted comedy and drama production company South of the River Pictures. [9]
The company supports emerging storytellers via various programs, including: [8]
In 2023, the company was awarded Variety magazine's International Achievement in Television Award, presented at the MIPTV Media Market in Cannes. [2]