Big Light Productions is getting a new COO. Frank Spotntiz's production company has hired Chris Sutherland to serve in the role. He replaces Oliver Lang, who is stepping down at the end of the month to focus on his creative industries’ advisory business, Sharp Edge Media. 
Poldark star Aidan Turner has been tapped to play Leonardo da Vinci in Leonardo, an eight episode event series about the life of the hero at the heart of the Renaissance that hails from Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files, The Man In The High Castle).Leonardo tells the story of the artist. Born in Vinci, in Tuscany, Leonardo grew into an unparalleled genius whose work inspired and overturned the established order. His restless curiosity flitted between art, science, painting, engineering, anatomy and poetry, all of it informed by a deep and fearless humanity, completely liberated from the conventions of his time and determined to unfold the mysteries of the world around him. 
Ransom is heading to free-to-air. Channel 5 has closed a deal with eOne to pick up the FTA rights to the hostage crisis drama series for their dig-net 5USA. The series will launch on 5USA next month. 
Ransom - the international drama series from Frank Spotnitz's Big Light Productions - has been renewed for a third season by commissioning partners Global and CBS. The series is distributed internationally by Entertainment One (eOne) and airs on this side of the pond on Universal TV. 
Big Light Production is adding to its executive ranks. Frank Spotnitz's indie has hired Wall To Wall development producer Frances Flannery and Red Production Company's Emily Feller as the company is looking to expand their slate of original programming, under the stewardship of Head of Drama Katie McAleese. Flannery will serve as Head of Development and will be responsible for building the Big Light's original development slate and strategy; while Feller will serve as an executive producer. 
Wild Bunch TV has sold Medici: Masters Of Florence, the new series from Frank Spotnitz's indie Big Light Productions, to Netflix for the United States, Canada and India.