In a significant shift for one of the UK's most prominent actor-led production houses, Benedict Cumberbatch has sold a major stake in the company he helped found. The move, revealed through new filings at Companies House, sees the Sherlock and Doctor Strange star relinquish significant control of SunnyMarch.
Details of the SunnyMarch Stake Sale
According to the official records, both Benedict Cumberbatch and his co-founder, producer Adam Ackland, are no longer classified as persons with significant control over the business. The pair had each held 4,950 shares in SunnyMarch Ltd, with Studiocanal and Malaysia's Kencana Capital also holding stakes.
The controlling interest has been acquired by Lumina Studios Group, which is now registered as owning between 25% and 50% of the business. A new parent entity, Sunnymarch Group Limited, has been established and is owned by Lumina. It remains unclear if Cumberbatch or his original partners retain any minority stake following the transaction.
Who is Lumina Studios Group?
Lumina Studios is a London-headquartered group with a portfolio of production companies and operations in Los Angeles, Paris, and New York. It is led by founder and chief executive Thomas Benski, who is also a shareholder.
The group is backed by several notable investors, including:
- SVS Holding, founded by producers Maris Savare and PJ van Sandwijk.
- BFK, an investment vehicle owned by producer Magnus Rausing.
- Dorfman Media Group, chaired by Sir Lloyd Dorfman, founder of Travelex.
Lumina's latest accounts show the group had net assets of £11.4 million in 2024.
What Happens Next for SunnyMarch?
Despite the change in ownership, Benedict Cumberbatch and Adam Ackland remain listed as directors of the core SunnyMarch operating companies: SunnyMarch TV Productions, SunnyMarch Ltd, and SunnyMarch Holdings. The company, founded in 2013, has built a respected slate including films like The Mauritanian, The Courier, and The Electrical Life of Louis Wain.
The industry will be watching closely to see how the partnership with the well-resourced Lumina Studios shapes SunnyMarch's future production ambitions. Both Lumina Studios and SunnyMarch were contacted for comment on the deal.
Separately, Companies House records show Benedict Cumberbatch also serves as a director of Red Brick Marketing and a dormant company named Painted Railings.
