THE APEX TIMES
Expectation hires Katrina Grant as Director of Development for entertainment formats
The producer behind Clarkson’s Farm brought in an experienced entertainment development executive from Mettlemouse Entertainment, as it expands its slate of scripted and unscripted ideas for broadcasters and streamers.
Expectation, the production company behind Channel 4’s Clarkson’s Farm, has hired Katrina Grant as its Director of Development, Entertainment, Deadline reported on June 30, 2026. Grant joins the company from Mettlemouse Entertainment, where she held an entertainment formats leadership role and worked across development for multiple series.
According to the report, Grant’s move places her in charge of generating and developing new entertainment ideas at Expectation. Her portfolio at Mettlemouse Entertainment includes work tied to Channel 4’s The Honesty Box, which is described as set for a Spanish remake, and the series and Spencer Matthews: Am I a Psychopath? Deadline also characterized her as an executive with extensive experience in entertainment formats development.
Mettlemouse Entertainment, led by Sarah Tyekiff, has built a profile in unscripted entertainment development through international adaptations and format-based projects. Deadline’s report links Grant’s experience at that company to the kind of rights-driven development work that often supports cross-market distribution, including remakes and format licensing.
The hiring underscores Expectation’s focus on entertainment development alongside its established brand in factual entertainment. Clarkson’s Farm has been positioned by broadcasters and streamers as a mainstream lifestyle and animal-focused reality series, and the company’s addition of a dedicated entertainment development director suggests additional pipeline capacity for future programming.
For Grant, the transition marks a shift from a formats company to the development leadership role at a producer with marquee documentary-style and reality credentials. The Director of Development title typically indicates responsibility for identifying new concepts, shepherding early development, and coordinating the creative process with production and commissioning stakeholders, Deadline said the role would cover entertainment specifically.
Deadline’s report did not provide details on Expectation’s immediate project slate beyond the new development appointment, nor did it include information on Grant’s start date or compensation. The report also did not specify which broadcasters or platforms Expectation is prioritizing for future entertainment format development.
Expectation’s hire arrives as international format ecosystems remain a core part of UK entertainment business strategy, with remakes and adaptations serving as a recurring pathway from concept to commissioning. With Grant’s experience in that model, Expectation’s development function is expected to align with rights and adaptation opportunities that have shaped titles such as The Honesty Box abroad.
Why It Matters
- The new leadership appointment may affect how quickly Expectation can advance entertainment concepts from early development to pitch and commissioning.
- Because formats and remakes rely on rights and adaptation workflows, Grant’s experience could influence Expectation’s cross-market strategy.
- The hiring reflects ongoing demand for internationally scalable entertainment concepts in the UK production pipeline.
- Grant’s move also indicates continued investment in development staffing at mid-sized producers competing for broadcaster attention and commissioning slots.
Key Facts
- Expectation, the producer behind Clarkson’s Farm, hired Katrina Grant as Director of Development, Entertainment.
- Deadline reported the appointment on June 30, 2026.
- Grant joins from Mettlemouse Entertainment, where she worked as an entertainment formats executive.
- The report ties Grant to Mettlemouse work that includes Channel 4’s The Honesty Box and its Spanish remake plans.
- Deadline also connected Grant to and Spencer Matthews: Am I a Psychopath?
- Grant’s role at Expectation will focus on developing entertainment ideas.