Entertainment One TV topper Laszlo Barna is leaving the mini-studio to once again run his own production shingle, Pier 21 Films, with a first-look agreement with eOne in hand.

Barna in 2008 sold Barna Alper Productions to eOne, and became president of its TV division, with production credits like MTV’s Skins, CTV/CBS’ The Bridge and the CBC’s Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story.

“Laszlo has made countless contributions to eOne Television and has played a pivotal role in shaping our rapidly expanding business,” John Morayniss, CEO of Entertainment One Television said in a statement.

“While we will definitely miss his larger-than-life presence, I’m thrilled that we will continue to work closely with him,” Morayniss added.

Barna, who made little secret that he prized his independence as a Canadian film and TV producer at Barna Alper Productions, will now launch Pier 21 from the ground up.

“The international appetite for Canadian programming has never been greater and I look forward to distributing Pier 21 programs through eOne, the hottest distributor in the business,” Barna said in a statement.