British animation and VFX studio Jellyfish Pictures is ramping up investment and activity in its Originals division—and to support this shift, it has set up Natalie Llewellyn (pictured) as MD of Jellyfish Originals. 

For the past two years, Llewellyn handled a two-pronged focus as MD of Originals and Animation, which included oversight of the company’s established business in service work. But now, she will take on a more influential responsibility with a remit that’s solely dedicated to managing the Originals department, particularly with its first raft of shows on the horizon.

Jellyfish Pictures is known for its longtime animation work on major kids movies (Spirit Untamed) and shows (Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed!). The company’s VFX department has also worked on projects like the Oscar-nominated short film The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023) and the Netflix hit Stranger Things. 

But after steadily building out a development slate over the past few years, Jellyfish Pictures is strategizing a hard acceleration with its push and investment into proprietary content. “We have high ambitions for the growth of the [Originals] division,” Jellyfish Pictures CEO David Patton added in a release.

This latest rejig puts Llewellyn at the forefront to lead a very busy period of “rapid growth and expansion” at Jellyfish Originals, as per the release. Among the first tasks in her agenda, Llewellyn will lead the teams to deliver upcoming original toons such as the CG-animated show Stan & Gran (which Milkshake! greenlit last July) and the TV adaptation of the Toto the Ninja Cat books by Dermot O’Leary. 

And Archie Donato, who joined Jellyfish Pictures in September as Creative Director of Animation, will now assume the role of MD of animation.

Llewellyn has spent the past six years with Jellyfish Pictures, initially joining as a Head of Development before rising up and expanding her focus as MD of Animation and Originals.