Exclusive: Some of the biggest UK drama production houses have started developing lower-budget slates in response to a depleted market and the success of local stories such as Mr Bates vs the Post Office.
The bosses of Doctor Who co-producer Bad Wolf and Crown maker Left Bank both told Deadline they have started nurturing a development pot for shows that cost less to make than their previous fare. Multiple other drama execs have indicated they are adopting a similar strategy as this week’s London TV Screenings places budget woes front and center of the conversation.
Speaking to Deadline about her upcoming BBC series Dope Girls, Bad Wolf co-founder Jane Tranter said her team’s development slate now contains “projects on a different budget scale to those we have been used to doing,” a move that she is enjoying.
“We’ve been thinking about how we do [lower budget] in a way that feels exciting,...
The bosses of Doctor Who co-producer Bad Wolf and Crown maker Left Bank both told Deadline they have started nurturing a development pot for shows that cost less to make than their previous fare. Multiple other drama execs have indicated they are adopting a similar strategy as this week’s London TV Screenings places budget woes front and center of the conversation.
Speaking to Deadline about her upcoming BBC series Dope Girls, Bad Wolf co-founder Jane Tranter said her team’s development slate now contains “projects on a different budget scale to those we have been used to doing,” a move that she is enjoying.
“We’ve been thinking about how we do [lower budget] in a way that feels exciting,...
- 2/28/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The creators of Mr Bates Vs the Post Office and Dr Death, which are among the most meaningful TV dramas of recent years, have outlined the secrets behind their series.
During a panel session at the Berlinale Series Market chaired by Deadline, Mr Bates Vs the Post Office executive producer Patrick Spence outlined the weight his production team felt during the making of the ITV drama, which laid bare the story of the biggest legal injustice in British history.
He revealed the show’s 12 lead actors, who include Toby Jones as the real life campaigner Alan Bates, worked for “in some cases, a fifth of what they could normally get” because the story had affected them so deeply. “They did it because they were angry. They had to buy in,” he added.
The drama, from ITV Studios and Little Gem, told the story of how more than 800 sub postmasters, who...
During a panel session at the Berlinale Series Market chaired by Deadline, Mr Bates Vs the Post Office executive producer Patrick Spence outlined the weight his production team felt during the making of the ITV drama, which laid bare the story of the biggest legal injustice in British history.
He revealed the show’s 12 lead actors, who include Toby Jones as the real life campaigner Alan Bates, worked for “in some cases, a fifth of what they could normally get” because the story had affected them so deeply. “They did it because they were angry. They had to buy in,” he added.
The drama, from ITV Studios and Little Gem, told the story of how more than 800 sub postmasters, who...
- 2/20/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Pay deals in the U.S. and the streamer reset’s impact on international TV development were among the topics at the opening panel of the Berlinale Series Market this morning in Europe.
During the panel at the EFM event, Gersh partner Roy Ashton described that while production costs have gone up significantly over recent years, writer pay had not kept up with the inflation. He suggested indie producers, writers and agents should collaborate more to ensure packages lead to better financial deals when they approach streamers or studios.
Ashton noted that the model behind Netflix’s hit action series The Night Agent, which has been viewed tens of millions of times on the service, meant its writing team did not receive more than originals shows launched at the same time that performed far worse. Creator Shawn Ryan last year gave an interview in which he said anyone assuming he...
During the panel at the EFM event, Gersh partner Roy Ashton described that while production costs have gone up significantly over recent years, writer pay had not kept up with the inflation. He suggested indie producers, writers and agents should collaborate more to ensure packages lead to better financial deals when they approach streamers or studios.
Ashton noted that the model behind Netflix’s hit action series The Night Agent, which has been viewed tens of millions of times on the service, meant its writing team did not receive more than originals shows launched at the same time that performed far worse. Creator Shawn Ryan last year gave an interview in which he said anyone assuming he...
- 2/19/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV’s post office drama that has led to an intense period of reckoning for multiple institutions and pushed the issue to the front pages of UK newspapers for weeks has found a U.S. home.
PBS Masterpiece has picked up Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which will air in April.
Starring BAFTA-winners Toby Jones and Monica Dolan, the four-part show launched at the start of 2024 and dramatizes what is now deemed one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in UK legal history.
When money started to seemingly disappear from its local branches, the government-owned Post Office wrongly blamed their own managers for its apparent loss. For more than a decade, hundreds were accused of theft and fraud, and many were even sent to prison – leaving lives, marriages, and reputations in ruins. But the issue was actually caused by errors in the Post Office’s own computer system – something it denied for years.
PBS Masterpiece has picked up Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which will air in April.
Starring BAFTA-winners Toby Jones and Monica Dolan, the four-part show launched at the start of 2024 and dramatizes what is now deemed one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in UK legal history.
When money started to seemingly disappear from its local branches, the government-owned Post Office wrongly blamed their own managers for its apparent loss. For more than a decade, hundreds were accused of theft and fraud, and many were even sent to prison – leaving lives, marriages, and reputations in ruins. But the issue was actually caused by errors in the Post Office’s own computer system – something it denied for years.
- 1/29/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The current landscape is making it “increasingly hard” to fund British stories such as the Post Office drama that is currently dominating the news agenda, according to ITV’s drama boss.
Polly Hill, who commissioned the four-parter that is on the front page of every national newspaper this morning, raised concerns that shows unique to British culture such as Mr Bates vs The Post Office are “important” but “increasingly hard to make.”
“It’s now become harder to fund these British stories,” said Hill, who was likely referencing super-inflation in the drama market and the need to attract co-production funding, which can dilute editorial. “We must be able to keep making them, because Mr Bates vs The Post Office shows that drama can help make a difference, and importantly that the audience wants to hear them.”
The success of the drama, which starred Toby Jones, Monica Dolan and The Crown’s Alex Jennings,...
Polly Hill, who commissioned the four-parter that is on the front page of every national newspaper this morning, raised concerns that shows unique to British culture such as Mr Bates vs The Post Office are “important” but “increasingly hard to make.”
“It’s now become harder to fund these British stories,” said Hill, who was likely referencing super-inflation in the drama market and the need to attract co-production funding, which can dilute editorial. “We must be able to keep making them, because Mr Bates vs The Post Office shows that drama can help make a difference, and importantly that the audience wants to hear them.”
The success of the drama, which starred Toby Jones, Monica Dolan and The Crown’s Alex Jennings,...
- 1/9/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix has added to its UK drama commissioning team by hiring Best Interests EP Toby Bentley from AC Chapter One.
Bentley recently joined Anne Mensah’s Sex Education and The Crown division as Manager, UK Series, focusing on overseeing shows coming out of the UK. He reports to Mona Qureshi and is an addition to the team.
Toby Bentley
Bentley joined Netflix from AC Chapter One, the drama indie backed by Anonymous Content, Casarotto Ramsay and United Agents of which he was a founding member with Sophie Gardiner five years ago, at which point it was called Chapter One Pictures. Former ITV Studios drama lead Patrick Spence has since taken over.
Having worked with Jack Thorne on BAFTA-nominee Kiri and National Treasure prior to Chapter One, he was EP on the prolific British scribe’s Michael Sheen and Sharon Horgan-starring BBC drama Best Interests, which aired earlier this...
Bentley recently joined Anne Mensah’s Sex Education and The Crown division as Manager, UK Series, focusing on overseeing shows coming out of the UK. He reports to Mona Qureshi and is an addition to the team.
Toby Bentley
Bentley joined Netflix from AC Chapter One, the drama indie backed by Anonymous Content, Casarotto Ramsay and United Agents of which he was a founding member with Sophie Gardiner five years ago, at which point it was called Chapter One Pictures. Former ITV Studios drama lead Patrick Spence has since taken over.
Having worked with Jack Thorne on BAFTA-nominee Kiri and National Treasure prior to Chapter One, he was EP on the prolific British scribe’s Michael Sheen and Sharon Horgan-starring BBC drama Best Interests, which aired earlier this...
- 8/31/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
San Francisco, May 27 (Ians) A court in the US has ordered Google to pay $32.5 million to high-tech audio technology company Sonos, for infringing on the company’s smart speaker patent.
The verdict by a San Francisco jury found that Google’s smart speakers and media players infringed on one of two Sonos patents, reports The Verge, citing the court filing.
Jurors said that Google should pay $2.30 for each of the more than 14 million devices sold.
In a ruling in January last year, the US International Trade Commission (Itc) said that Google violated five patents of high-tech speaker and audio technology company Sonos, relating to smart speakers.
A US judge had ruled in August last year that Google infringed upon the Sonos patents.
In January 2020, Sonos first sued tech giant Google for allegedly copying its wireless speaker design, urging the Itc to ban Google products like laptops, phones and speakers.
Sonos...
The verdict by a San Francisco jury found that Google’s smart speakers and media players infringed on one of two Sonos patents, reports The Verge, citing the court filing.
Jurors said that Google should pay $2.30 for each of the more than 14 million devices sold.
In a ruling in January last year, the US International Trade Commission (Itc) said that Google violated five patents of high-tech speaker and audio technology company Sonos, relating to smart speakers.
A US judge had ruled in August last year that Google infringed upon the Sonos patents.
In January 2020, Sonos first sued tech giant Google for allegedly copying its wireless speaker design, urging the Itc to ban Google products like laptops, phones and speakers.
Sonos...
- 5/27/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Exclusive: Anonymous Content, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates and United Agents have set former Itvs Creative Director Patrick Spence (Spy Among Friends) as Managing Director of their UK film and TV production joint venture.
Sophie Gardiner, who has overseen the Jv since its initial launch, will transition into a first look deal with the company. She will continue to work on their current film and TV projects.
Formerly known as Chapter One Pictures, the outpost has now rebranded to AC Chapter One. Spence will continue to run the company’s day to day operations independent of the three founding companies.
Spence joins AC Chapter One from ITV Studios. We broke news of his exit from the UK broadcaster last month. In his time there, he executive-produced projects including BAFTA-nominated drama A Spy Among Friends, starring Damian Lewis, Guy Pearce and Anna Maxwell Martin, and Litvinenko, starring David Tennant.
Prior to ITV Studios,...
Sophie Gardiner, who has overseen the Jv since its initial launch, will transition into a first look deal with the company. She will continue to work on their current film and TV projects.
Formerly known as Chapter One Pictures, the outpost has now rebranded to AC Chapter One. Spence will continue to run the company’s day to day operations independent of the three founding companies.
Spence joins AC Chapter One from ITV Studios. We broke news of his exit from the UK broadcaster last month. In his time there, he executive-produced projects including BAFTA-nominated drama A Spy Among Friends, starring Damian Lewis, Guy Pearce and Anna Maxwell Martin, and Litvinenko, starring David Tennant.
Prior to ITV Studios,...
- 4/27/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
BAFTA-winning producer Patrick Spence is leaving ITV Studios after three years, Variety has confirmed.
Spence, who serves as creative director, will leave at the end of March, ITV Studios managing director Julian Bellamy told staff via an internal memo on Thursday. Spence will continue to partner with ITV Studios on upcoming projects including “People vs. Post Office” (working title).
Spence joined ITV Studios in 2020 and secured several acclaimed commissions, including the BBC’s drama-romance “Ralph & Katie,” a spin-off of “The A Word,” about the lives of a couple with Down syndrome; Itvx’s “Litvinenko,” about the investigation into the death of Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko; the BAFTA-nominated Cold War spy drama “A Spy Among Friends,” also for Itvx; and post-pandemic frontline medical drama “Maternal” for ITV.
The producer spent 15 years in commissioning and production at the BBC. He served as head of drama for Northern Ireland from 2003 to 2010. In...
Spence, who serves as creative director, will leave at the end of March, ITV Studios managing director Julian Bellamy told staff via an internal memo on Thursday. Spence will continue to partner with ITV Studios on upcoming projects including “People vs. Post Office” (working title).
Spence joined ITV Studios in 2020 and secured several acclaimed commissions, including the BBC’s drama-romance “Ralph & Katie,” a spin-off of “The A Word,” about the lives of a couple with Down syndrome; Itvx’s “Litvinenko,” about the investigation into the death of Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko; the BAFTA-nominated Cold War spy drama “A Spy Among Friends,” also for Itvx; and post-pandemic frontline medical drama “Maternal” for ITV.
The producer spent 15 years in commissioning and production at the BBC. He served as head of drama for Northern Ireland from 2003 to 2010. In...
- 3/24/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Patrick Spence, the executive producer behind Itvx/MGM+ series A Spy Among Friends, is leaving ITV Studios after more than three years.
Patrick Spence
Julian Bellamy, Managing Director of ITV Studios, told staff on Thursday that Spence would be stepping down, with his next venture yet to be confirmed.
He joined ITV Studios in early 2020 from Fifty Fathoms, the drama production label that was part of Endemol Shine Group before it was acquired by Banijay.
As well as the Guy Pearce and Damian Lewis espionage series A Spy Among Friends, he made David Tennant drama Litvinenko, which chronicled the poisoning of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.
Spence previously executive produced Sky’s Fortitude and BBC drama The A Word.
Patrick Spence
Julian Bellamy, Managing Director of ITV Studios, told staff on Thursday that Spence would be stepping down, with his next venture yet to be confirmed.
He joined ITV Studios in early 2020 from Fifty Fathoms, the drama production label that was part of Endemol Shine Group before it was acquired by Banijay.
As well as the Guy Pearce and Damian Lewis espionage series A Spy Among Friends, he made David Tennant drama Litvinenko, which chronicled the poisoning of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.
Spence previously executive produced Sky’s Fortitude and BBC drama The A Word.
- 3/24/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Following closely behind, Bad Sisters, The Crown, The English and Slow Horses also received five nominations apiece.
BBC dramas This is Going To Hurt and The Responder lead the nominations for this year’s Bafta Television and Bafta Craft awards with six nominations each.
Both dramas have received nods in the leading actor category for Ben Wishaw and Martin Freeman’s performances.
Sister’s This is Going To Hurt is up for best drama mini series, while Dancing Ledge’s The Responder, which has been recomissioned for a second series, makes the list for best drama series.
The two dramas...
BBC dramas This is Going To Hurt and The Responder lead the nominations for this year’s Bafta Television and Bafta Craft awards with six nominations each.
Both dramas have received nods in the leading actor category for Ben Wishaw and Martin Freeman’s performances.
Sister’s This is Going To Hurt is up for best drama mini series, while Dancing Ledge’s The Responder, which has been recomissioned for a second series, makes the list for best drama series.
The two dramas...
- 3/22/2023
- by Heather Fallon Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
ITV Makes Drama Appointments
Helen Ziegler has been appointed as U.K. broadcaster ITV’s senior commissioning editor. She will take up the role at ITV Drama in January 2024, following her maternity leave. She is currently director of television at award-winning producer Mammoth Screen and has credits including Peter Bowker’s “World on Fire” for BBC One, recent Agatha Christie adaptations by Sarah Phelps for the BBC One and Hugh Laurie’s “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans” for BritBox UK.
ITV also announced that Helen Perry is joining as commissioning editor, drama, in January 2023, for a fixed-term year contract, to further support the expanded slate. She joins from the BBC, where she is currently an assistant commissioner in BBC Drama. Before joining BBC drama commissioning Perry was a script executive at Bad Wolf.
Joining too in January 2023 is Callum Dziedzic, who will become assistant commissioner, drama and comedy. He...
Helen Ziegler has been appointed as U.K. broadcaster ITV’s senior commissioning editor. She will take up the role at ITV Drama in January 2024, following her maternity leave. She is currently director of television at award-winning producer Mammoth Screen and has credits including Peter Bowker’s “World on Fire” for BBC One, recent Agatha Christie adaptations by Sarah Phelps for the BBC One and Hugh Laurie’s “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans” for BritBox UK.
ITV also announced that Helen Perry is joining as commissioning editor, drama, in January 2023, for a fixed-term year contract, to further support the expanded slate. She joins from the BBC, where she is currently an assistant commissioner in BBC Drama. Before joining BBC drama commissioning Perry was a script executive at Bad Wolf.
Joining too in January 2023 is Callum Dziedzic, who will become assistant commissioner, drama and comedy. He...
- 11/30/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Mammoth Screen’s World on Fire exec Helen Ziegler has joined the ITV drama commissioning team along with two other staffers to expand new streamer Itvx.
Ziegler, a UK drama veteran, will help lead on the streaming service, which kicked off earlier this month and is aiming to stream one new show a week, with a cash injection of £150M (180M).
She will start in January 2024 after her maternity leave ends, with former BBC Assistant Commissioner Helen Perry joining as a Commissioning Editor on a fixed-term contract for the next year. Callum Dziedzic, a Development Executive at ITV Studios Creative Director Patrick Spence’s studio, is also joining ITV as Assistant Commissioner, Drama and Comedy.
Ziegler has been working for ITV Studios-backed Mammoth Screen for several years, during which time she has exec produced the likes of BBC One drama World on Fire, ITV’s Tom Jones and Hugh Laurie...
Ziegler, a UK drama veteran, will help lead on the streaming service, which kicked off earlier this month and is aiming to stream one new show a week, with a cash injection of £150M (180M).
She will start in January 2024 after her maternity leave ends, with former BBC Assistant Commissioner Helen Perry joining as a Commissioning Editor on a fixed-term contract for the next year. Callum Dziedzic, a Development Executive at ITV Studios Creative Director Patrick Spence’s studio, is also joining ITV as Assistant Commissioner, Drama and Comedy.
Ziegler has been working for ITV Studios-backed Mammoth Screen for several years, during which time she has exec produced the likes of BBC One drama World on Fire, ITV’s Tom Jones and Hugh Laurie...
- 11/30/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
MGM+, the linear channel and streaming service previously known as Epix, has picked up crime drama “A Spy Among Friends.” The British limited series was commissioned by ITV Studios and was originally set to air as a Spectrum Original in the U.S. before that cabler was shuttered in August.
“A Spy Among Friends” is based on Ben Macintyre’s novel of the same and dramatizes the true story of two British spies and lifelong friends, Nicholas Elliott (Damian Lewis) and Kim Philby (Guy Pearce). The latter became the most notorious British defector and Soviet double agent in history. Philby’s deeply personal betrayal, uncovered at the height of the Cold War, resulted in the gutting of British and American intelligence. Anna Maxwell Martin, Stephen Kunken and Adrian Edmondson also star.
After debuting on Itvx in the U.K. in December, “A Spy Among Friends” will premiere on MGM+ in...
“A Spy Among Friends” is based on Ben Macintyre’s novel of the same and dramatizes the true story of two British spies and lifelong friends, Nicholas Elliott (Damian Lewis) and Kim Philby (Guy Pearce). The latter became the most notorious British defector and Soviet double agent in history. Philby’s deeply personal betrayal, uncovered at the height of the Cold War, resulted in the gutting of British and American intelligence. Anna Maxwell Martin, Stephen Kunken and Adrian Edmondson also star.
After debuting on Itvx in the U.K. in December, “A Spy Among Friends” will premiere on MGM+ in...
- 11/29/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
MGM+, which was previously named Epix, has picked up limited thriller series “A Spy Among Friends.” The new series is based on the New York Times best-selling novel written by Ben Macintyre. It’s set to premiere in 2023.
The six-episode crime drama will reimagine the real-life story of two British spies — Nicholas Elliott and Kim Philby — who are also longtime fiends. “[Philby] became the most notorious British defector and Soviet double agent in history. Philby’s deeply personal betrayal, uncovered at the height of the Cold War, resulted in the gutting of British and American intelligence,” reads a description for the series.
“A Spy Among Friends” stars award-winning actor Damian Lewis and Emmy winner Guy Pearce. Other cast members includes Anna Maxwell, Stephen Kunken, and Adrian Edmondson.
Also Read:
Mark Burnett Exits as MGM Worldwide TV Group Chairman
The series, which was created by British writer Alexander Cary, will be...
The six-episode crime drama will reimagine the real-life story of two British spies — Nicholas Elliott and Kim Philby — who are also longtime fiends. “[Philby] became the most notorious British defector and Soviet double agent in history. Philby’s deeply personal betrayal, uncovered at the height of the Cold War, resulted in the gutting of British and American intelligence,” reads a description for the series.
“A Spy Among Friends” stars award-winning actor Damian Lewis and Emmy winner Guy Pearce. Other cast members includes Anna Maxwell, Stephen Kunken, and Adrian Edmondson.
Also Read:
Mark Burnett Exits as MGM Worldwide TV Group Chairman
The series, which was created by British writer Alexander Cary, will be...
- 11/29/2022
- by Raquel "Rocky" Harris
- The Wrap
Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce-fronted drama series A Spy Among Friends has found a new home in the U.S. following Spectrum’s move out of original series.
The spy thriller, which is a co-production with UK streamer Itvx, has landed at MGM+, the network formerly known as Epix.
It comes after the series premiered at the London Film Festival and ahead of its British launch in December.
The six-part series, which is based on Ben Macintyre’s book, tells the true story of two British spies and lifelong friends, Nicholas Elliott and Kim Philby.
A Spy Among Friends follows the defection of notorious British intelligence officer and Kgb double agent, Kim Philby, played by Pearce, through the lens of his complex relationship with MI6 colleague and close friend, Nicholas Elliott, played by Lewis. The show examines espionage through their friendship, the fallout of which affects East-West relations to this day.
The spy thriller, which is a co-production with UK streamer Itvx, has landed at MGM+, the network formerly known as Epix.
It comes after the series premiered at the London Film Festival and ahead of its British launch in December.
The six-part series, which is based on Ben Macintyre’s book, tells the true story of two British spies and lifelong friends, Nicholas Elliott and Kim Philby.
A Spy Among Friends follows the defection of notorious British intelligence officer and Kgb double agent, Kim Philby, played by Pearce, through the lens of his complex relationship with MI6 colleague and close friend, Nicholas Elliott, played by Lewis. The show examines espionage through their friendship, the fallout of which affects East-West relations to this day.
- 11/29/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
MGM+, the premium cable network and streamer currently known as Epix, has landed domestic rights to Damian Lewis drama A Spy Among Friends after the series was to have aired as a Spectrum original.
The six-episode series that reunites the Billions star with his former Homeland exec producer Alexander Cary was among the programs that were left without a home after Charter shut down its Spectrum Originals banner following the departure of exec Katherine Pope. Pope departed cable service Charter to take over as president of indie studio Sony Pictures Television, which produces Spy. Pope previously bought the show during her time at Charter and now sold it to MGM+ in her new role atop Sony TV.
Created by Cary, Spy is based on the New York Times best-selling book by Ben Macintyre. The series, produced by Sony and BritBox parent ITV Studios and Veritas Entertainment Group,...
MGM+, the premium cable network and streamer currently known as Epix, has landed domestic rights to Damian Lewis drama A Spy Among Friends after the series was to have aired as a Spectrum original.
The six-episode series that reunites the Billions star with his former Homeland exec producer Alexander Cary was among the programs that were left without a home after Charter shut down its Spectrum Originals banner following the departure of exec Katherine Pope. Pope departed cable service Charter to take over as president of indie studio Sony Pictures Television, which produces Spy. Pope previously bought the show during her time at Charter and now sold it to MGM+ in her new role atop Sony TV.
Created by Cary, Spy is based on the New York Times best-selling book by Ben Macintyre. The series, produced by Sony and BritBox parent ITV Studios and Veritas Entertainment Group,...
- 11/29/2022
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Britain’s freshest new streaming service has launched a trailer for the star-studded spy thriller, ‘A Spy Among Friends.’
Based on the New York Times best-selling book written by Ben Macintyre, the six-episode series dramatises the true story of Nicholas Elliott and Kim Philby, two British spies and lifelong friends. Philby was the most notorious British defector and Soviet double agent in history. This is a story of intimate duplicity; loyalty, trust and treachery. Philby’s deeply personal betrayal, uncovered at the height of the Cold War, resulted in the gutting of British and American Intelligence.
Alexander Cary is the creator and executive producer alongside ITV Studios’ Patrick Spence and Nick Murphy.
Launching on 8th December, Itvx is a new, free streaming platform. Replacing ITV Hub as the online home of all ITV content, viewers can expect a new and improved product experience through Itvx as well as more new...
Based on the New York Times best-selling book written by Ben Macintyre, the six-episode series dramatises the true story of Nicholas Elliott and Kim Philby, two British spies and lifelong friends. Philby was the most notorious British defector and Soviet double agent in history. This is a story of intimate duplicity; loyalty, trust and treachery. Philby’s deeply personal betrayal, uncovered at the height of the Cold War, resulted in the gutting of British and American Intelligence.
Alexander Cary is the creator and executive producer alongside ITV Studios’ Patrick Spence and Nick Murphy.
Launching on 8th December, Itvx is a new, free streaming platform. Replacing ITV Hub as the online home of all ITV content, viewers can expect a new and improved product experience through Itvx as well as more new...
- 11/9/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
David Tennant has a lot more on his plate than his return to the world of "Doctor Who," as Itvx revealed in the first look at the British actor from the upcoming miniseries, "Litvinenko." The image is a recreation of the internationally famous photo of Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko in a University College Hospital bed shortly before his passing, taken in the midst of one of the most dangerous criminal investigations in the history of London's Metropolitan Police.
For the uninitiated, Litvinenko was a former Russian Federal Security Services and Kgb officer who died of polonium-210 poisoning in November 2006, claiming that he had been poisoned on the direct orders of Vladimir Putin as punishment for his dissident. He was a prominent critic of Putin, advising U.K. intelligence on the Russians, and coining the term "mafia state."
In the days leading up to his death, Litvinenko provided a litany of information...
For the uninitiated, Litvinenko was a former Russian Federal Security Services and Kgb officer who died of polonium-210 poisoning in November 2006, claiming that he had been poisoned on the direct orders of Vladimir Putin as punishment for his dissident. He was a prominent critic of Putin, advising U.K. intelligence on the Russians, and coining the term "mafia state."
In the days leading up to his death, Litvinenko provided a litany of information...
- 11/7/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
ITV Studios has acquired a majority stake in Australian producer Lingo Pictures — marking its first acquisition in the country.
ITV’s production and sales arm paid an undisclosed amount for the Sydney-based company, which is best known for Upright, the Sky and Foxtel Australia drama starring Tim Minchin and House of the Dragons‘ Milly Alcock. Deadline understands the deal value is in the eight-figure US dollars region.
The deal highlights the growing value international production groups are seeing in Australia, whose favorable tax breaks system is increasingly attractive, and Australian dramas, with Paramount+’s Last King of the Cross one of the most sought-after titles available at Mipcom last month.
Lingo owners Helen Bowden and Jason Stephens will continue to head up Lingo, which will now sit in ITV Studios’ international production arm, which Lisa Perrin leads as Managing Director.
Other international drama labels in the group include Ben Stephenson...
ITV’s production and sales arm paid an undisclosed amount for the Sydney-based company, which is best known for Upright, the Sky and Foxtel Australia drama starring Tim Minchin and House of the Dragons‘ Milly Alcock. Deadline understands the deal value is in the eight-figure US dollars region.
The deal highlights the growing value international production groups are seeing in Australia, whose favorable tax breaks system is increasingly attractive, and Australian dramas, with Paramount+’s Last King of the Cross one of the most sought-after titles available at Mipcom last month.
Lingo owners Helen Bowden and Jason Stephens will continue to head up Lingo, which will now sit in ITV Studios’ international production arm, which Lisa Perrin leads as Managing Director.
Other international drama labels in the group include Ben Stephenson...
- 11/2/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Itvx and Viaplay four-partner Litvinenko, which will see David Tennant playing the doomed Russian dissident, has sold into 80 territories ahead of its launch. AMC+ and Sundance Now have taken rights in the U.S., while Prime Video bagged Canada from distributor ITV Studios.
Written by acclaimed screenwriter, George Kay, the show has also sold to M6 in France, ProSiebenSat.1 in Germany, Sky Italia, Seven Network in Australia, Tvnz in New Zealand and Now TV in Hong Kong. Viacom18 took Indian sub-continent rights, while BookMyShow will hold TVoD rights in India through its BookMyShow Stream platform. Elsewhere, M-Net has scored a pan-Africa deal.
The original commissioners were upcoming UK streaming service Itvx and Viaplay for the Nordics, Netherlands, Poland and Baltics.
Written by acclaimed screenwriter, George Kay and produced by Patrick Spence, ITV Studios, and Tiger Aspect Productions, Litvinenko tells the story of Alexander Litvinenko, the former...
Written by acclaimed screenwriter, George Kay, the show has also sold to M6 in France, ProSiebenSat.1 in Germany, Sky Italia, Seven Network in Australia, Tvnz in New Zealand and Now TV in Hong Kong. Viacom18 took Indian sub-continent rights, while BookMyShow will hold TVoD rights in India through its BookMyShow Stream platform. Elsewhere, M-Net has scored a pan-Africa deal.
The original commissioners were upcoming UK streaming service Itvx and Viaplay for the Nordics, Netherlands, Poland and Baltics.
Written by acclaimed screenwriter, George Kay and produced by Patrick Spence, ITV Studios, and Tiger Aspect Productions, Litvinenko tells the story of Alexander Litvinenko, the former...
- 10/17/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The David Tennant-starring “Litvinenko” has sold into AMC+ and Sundance Now in the U.S., along with a host of other buyers in 80 international markets.
The drama has pre-sold ahead of its debut on ITV’s forthcoming U.K. streaming service Itvx, which launches this fall, and Nent Group’s Viaplay streaming service in the Nordics, Netherlands, Poland and Baltics.
Written by George Kay (“Lupin”) and produced by Patrick Spence, ITV Studios and Tiger Aspect Productions, the drama tells the story of Alexander Litvinenko, the former Russian Federal Security Services and Kgb officer, whose death from polonium poisoning in November 2006 triggered one of the most complex and dangerous investigations in the history of the Metropolitan Police.
AMC Networks’ Sundance Now and AMC+ have acquired the exclusive U.S. rights to the drama, while Amazon’s Prime Video has taken the series in Canada.
In Europe “Litvinenko” will air on M6 France,...
The drama has pre-sold ahead of its debut on ITV’s forthcoming U.K. streaming service Itvx, which launches this fall, and Nent Group’s Viaplay streaming service in the Nordics, Netherlands, Poland and Baltics.
Written by George Kay (“Lupin”) and produced by Patrick Spence, ITV Studios and Tiger Aspect Productions, the drama tells the story of Alexander Litvinenko, the former Russian Federal Security Services and Kgb officer, whose death from polonium poisoning in November 2006 triggered one of the most complex and dangerous investigations in the history of the Metropolitan Police.
AMC Networks’ Sundance Now and AMC+ have acquired the exclusive U.S. rights to the drama, while Amazon’s Prime Video has taken the series in Canada.
In Europe “Litvinenko” will air on M6 France,...
- 10/17/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
The organizers of the annual London TV Screenings announced Thursday that next year’s event – the third edition – will run from Feb. 27 to March 3. As well as the five distributors that founded the event, participants will include 17 others, such as the international distribution arms of NBC, Paramount and Warner Bros.
The first in-person event earlier this year, which followed the online event in 2021, was attended by more than 500 international buyers. At the third edition, the founding distributors from the inaugural event in 2020 – All3Media Intl., Banijay Rights, Entertainment One, Fremantle and ITV Studios – are to be joined by a further 17 partners, with others likely to take part.
These 17 are Abacus Media Rights, About Premium Content, Beyond Rights, Blue Ant Media, Bossanova Media, Cineflix Rights, Dcd Rights, Fifth Season, Hat Trick Intl., Keshet Intl., NBCUniversalFormats, Paramount Global Content Distribution, Passion Distribution, Red Arrow Studios Intl., Studiocanal, Tvf Intl. and Warner Bros.
The first in-person event earlier this year, which followed the online event in 2021, was attended by more than 500 international buyers. At the third edition, the founding distributors from the inaugural event in 2020 – All3Media Intl., Banijay Rights, Entertainment One, Fremantle and ITV Studios – are to be joined by a further 17 partners, with others likely to take part.
These 17 are Abacus Media Rights, About Premium Content, Beyond Rights, Blue Ant Media, Bossanova Media, Cineflix Rights, Dcd Rights, Fifth Season, Hat Trick Intl., Keshet Intl., NBCUniversalFormats, Paramount Global Content Distribution, Passion Distribution, Red Arrow Studios Intl., Studiocanal, Tvf Intl. and Warner Bros.
- 9/8/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
‘How To Train Your Dragon’s Bonnie Arnold Ties With ‘Moley’ Creator’s Two Daughters Entertainment
Former DreamWorks Animation chief and How to Train Your Dragon producer Bonnie Arnold is teaming with a new production company launched by Moley creator James Reatchlous. Arnold will be an executive producer for Two Daughters Entertainment, which is launching with a slate of three unnamed entertainment properties that will launch over five years. She is best known as Co-President then President of Feature Animation at DreamWorks Animation, and for producing the How to Train Your Dragon franchise. Also joining Two Daughters are Moley producer Tony Nottage, director Leon Joosen and former WarnerMedia kids entertainment exec Andreea Spasova, who is Head of Marketing and PR. Reatchlous’ animated franchise Moley began as a bedtime story for his two daughters — hence the company name. It airs in 140 territories and on Boomerang channels across Emea and been sold globally by distributor Jetpack Distribution,...
Former DreamWorks Animation chief and How to Train Your Dragon producer Bonnie Arnold is teaming with a new production company launched by Moley creator James Reatchlous. Arnold will be an executive producer for Two Daughters Entertainment, which is launching with a slate of three unnamed entertainment properties that will launch over five years. She is best known as Co-President then President of Feature Animation at DreamWorks Animation, and for producing the How to Train Your Dragon franchise. Also joining Two Daughters are Moley producer Tony Nottage, director Leon Joosen and former WarnerMedia kids entertainment exec Andreea Spasova, who is Head of Marketing and PR. Reatchlous’ animated franchise Moley began as a bedtime story for his two daughters — hence the company name. It airs in 140 territories and on Boomerang channels across Emea and been sold globally by distributor Jetpack Distribution,...
- 8/18/2022
- by Jesse Whittock, Max Goldbart and Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Industry exec David P. Davis’ ITV Studios-backed label has optioned the TV rights to Clare Mackintosh thriller The Last Party.
The novel, which will be published on August 4, is the first revealed development project for 5 Acts Productions, which launched late last year. The Cardiff-based label sits within Patrick Spence’s ITV Studios drama division and is run by former Bad Wolf exec Davis.
New York Times bestselling author Mackintosh’s novel follows DC Ffion Morgan as she investigates the murder of Rhys Lloyd, a homegrown hero who is found floating dead in the water on New Year’s Day, the morning after a party that brought together a feuding community. The murder leads Morgan to scrutinize neighbors, friends and family as she attempts to solve a mystery in a town full of secrets.
Davis, whose credits include BBC/HBO hit Industry, Doctor Who and Channel 4’s...
The novel, which will be published on August 4, is the first revealed development project for 5 Acts Productions, which launched late last year. The Cardiff-based label sits within Patrick Spence’s ITV Studios drama division and is run by former Bad Wolf exec Davis.
New York Times bestselling author Mackintosh’s novel follows DC Ffion Morgan as she investigates the murder of Rhys Lloyd, a homegrown hero who is found floating dead in the water on New Year’s Day, the morning after a party that brought together a feuding community. The murder leads Morgan to scrutinize neighbors, friends and family as she attempts to solve a mystery in a town full of secrets.
Davis, whose credits include BBC/HBO hit Industry, Doctor Who and Channel 4’s...
- 7/19/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
BBC Studios Moves Showcase From Liverpool To London
BBC Studios is moving its annual showcase from Liverpool to London. Following almost a decade in the Merseyside city, the BBC’s commercial arm said it will bring a “fresh focus on upstream creative projects from across its range of production houses, labels and partners.” The move will position the Showcase directly agaainst the London Screenings, a similar set of events run by BBC Studios’ major distribution rivals such as All3Media International, Fremantle, eOne and Banijay Rights. BBC Studios CEO Global Distribution Rebecca Glashow said: “As the market, and our own business changes, so does Showcase. Expect to see our offer to customers evolve from a content juggernaut to a series of highly curated match-making opportunities that brings our most valued partners, producers and programmes together so the richest conversations can take place.” The Showcase started in Brighton in 1976 and brings together...
BBC Studios is moving its annual showcase from Liverpool to London. Following almost a decade in the Merseyside city, the BBC’s commercial arm said it will bring a “fresh focus on upstream creative projects from across its range of production houses, labels and partners.” The move will position the Showcase directly agaainst the London Screenings, a similar set of events run by BBC Studios’ major distribution rivals such as All3Media International, Fremantle, eOne and Banijay Rights. BBC Studios CEO Global Distribution Rebecca Glashow said: “As the market, and our own business changes, so does Showcase. Expect to see our offer to customers evolve from a content juggernaut to a series of highly curated match-making opportunities that brings our most valued partners, producers and programmes together so the richest conversations can take place.” The Showcase started in Brighton in 1976 and brings together...
- 7/14/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Channel 4 Pre-Buys ‘Hitler: A Life In Pictures’
Channel 4 has pre-bought Hitler: A Life in Pictures, an archival behind-the-scenes doc series exploring the public and private life of Germany’s infamous dictator. Woodcut Media is producing the four-part series and has struck a co-production and finance agreement with distributor Rainmaker Content. The doc features photos and videos from two photographers who dedicated their lives to documenting Hitler – Heinrich Hoffmann and assistant Eva Braun. The archive footage includes 1300 recently digitized, rarely-seen photos taken by Hoffmann and material garnered from Braun’s personal photo collection, along with more than four hours of her home videos mostly filmed at Hitler’s fortified chalet in the Bavarian Alps. “A picture paints a thousand words and the unique images we have procured for this Hitler series speak volumes about the depth of psychological manipulation that led to the rise of the Nazi regime,” said Woodcut Exec Matthew Gordon.
Channel 4 has pre-bought Hitler: A Life in Pictures, an archival behind-the-scenes doc series exploring the public and private life of Germany’s infamous dictator. Woodcut Media is producing the four-part series and has struck a co-production and finance agreement with distributor Rainmaker Content. The doc features photos and videos from two photographers who dedicated their lives to documenting Hitler – Heinrich Hoffmann and assistant Eva Braun. The archive footage includes 1300 recently digitized, rarely-seen photos taken by Hoffmann and material garnered from Braun’s personal photo collection, along with more than four hours of her home videos mostly filmed at Hitler’s fortified chalet in the Bavarian Alps. “A picture paints a thousand words and the unique images we have procured for this Hitler series speak volumes about the depth of psychological manipulation that led to the rise of the Nazi regime,” said Woodcut Exec Matthew Gordon.
- 2/16/2022
- by Max Goldbart and Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Industry exec David P. Davis is launching an ITV Studios-backed drama indie.
5 Acts Productions is the first label to sit under Patrick Spence’s newly-launched ITV Studios scripted studio and will be based in Cardiff, focusing on producing diverse drama for the domestic and international markets.
He joins from Industry and His Dark Materials producer Bad Wolf, where he exec produced the BBC2/HBO hit along with a mix of other projects. Prior to Bad Wolf, he worked for Left Bank on Sony, Amazon and Channel 4 Philip K. Dick drama Electric Dreams, and he used to be part of the Doctor Who script team.
Spence said Davis “represents everything we are looking for: a passion for stories that have not yet been told, the talent to bring them to life and a vision for a new UK business that could actively enhance our industry.”
Other new ITV Studios...
5 Acts Productions is the first label to sit under Patrick Spence’s newly-launched ITV Studios scripted studio and will be based in Cardiff, focusing on producing diverse drama for the domestic and international markets.
He joins from Industry and His Dark Materials producer Bad Wolf, where he exec produced the BBC2/HBO hit along with a mix of other projects. Prior to Bad Wolf, he worked for Left Bank on Sony, Amazon and Channel 4 Philip K. Dick drama Electric Dreams, and he used to be part of the Doctor Who script team.
Spence said Davis “represents everything we are looking for: a passion for stories that have not yet been told, the talent to bring them to life and a vision for a new UK business that could actively enhance our industry.”
Other new ITV Studios...
- 11/18/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce are teaming up for “A Spy Among Friends,” a limited series for BritBox U.K. and Spectrum.
The show is based on the eponymous 2014 New York Times-bestselling book by Ben Macintyre, and produced by Sony Pictures Television, ITV Studios and Veritas Entertainment Group. Lewis will also serve as an executive producer through his production company, Ginger Biscuit Entertainment. Alexander Cary is creator and executive producer alongside ITV Studios’ Patrick Spence and Nick Murphy.
The six-part series began production in London this week and also will shoot in Romania. It will debut exclusively on ITV and BBC-owned streamer BritBox in the U.K. and Spectrum’s on-demand platform in the U.S. in the fall of 2022.
Other cast members include Anna Maxwell Martin, Stephen Kunken and Adrian Edmondson.
Cary, in describing the plot, said the show dramatized the true story of spies and lifelong friends...
The show is based on the eponymous 2014 New York Times-bestselling book by Ben Macintyre, and produced by Sony Pictures Television, ITV Studios and Veritas Entertainment Group. Lewis will also serve as an executive producer through his production company, Ginger Biscuit Entertainment. Alexander Cary is creator and executive producer alongside ITV Studios’ Patrick Spence and Nick Murphy.
The six-part series began production in London this week and also will shoot in Romania. It will debut exclusively on ITV and BBC-owned streamer BritBox in the U.K. and Spectrum’s on-demand platform in the U.S. in the fall of 2022.
Other cast members include Anna Maxwell Martin, Stephen Kunken and Adrian Edmondson.
Cary, in describing the plot, said the show dramatized the true story of spies and lifelong friends...
- 10/6/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce are to lead the line of limited drama series A Spy Among Friends.
Spectrum Originals and BritBox UK have ordered the adaptation of Ben Macintyre’s book to series. It comes over a year after Deadline first revealed the project, which then had Dominic West poised to star alongside Lewis.
It marks Lewis’ first gig since he exited Showtime’s Billions.
The series has started production in London this week and will also shoot in Romania. It is produced by Sony Pictures Television, ITV Studios and Veritas Entertainment Group with former Homeland exec producer Alexander Cary creator and exec producer alongside Lewis, via his production company, Ginger Biscuit Entertainment, and ITV Studios’ Patrick Spence.
It will air in the U.S. via Spectrum’s On Demand platform and in the UK via streamer BritBox, a joint venture between the BBC and ITV, in the fall...
Spectrum Originals and BritBox UK have ordered the adaptation of Ben Macintyre’s book to series. It comes over a year after Deadline first revealed the project, which then had Dominic West poised to star alongside Lewis.
It marks Lewis’ first gig since he exited Showtime’s Billions.
The series has started production in London this week and will also shoot in Romania. It is produced by Sony Pictures Television, ITV Studios and Veritas Entertainment Group with former Homeland exec producer Alexander Cary creator and exec producer alongside Lewis, via his production company, Ginger Biscuit Entertainment, and ITV Studios’ Patrick Spence.
It will air in the U.S. via Spectrum’s On Demand platform and in the UK via streamer BritBox, a joint venture between the BBC and ITV, in the fall...
- 10/6/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
David Tennant To Star In ‘Litvinenko’ Poison Drama For ITV & Viaplay From ‘Lupin’ Creator George Kay
Exclusive: David Tennant is to play Alexander Litvinenko, who former Russian Federal Security Services and Kgb officer who was poisoned to death, in a drama series for ITV and Nordic Entertainment Group.
The former Doctor Who star, who recently played serial killer Dennis Nilsen in Des, stars alongside The Deuce’s Margarita Levieva, in the four-part series, which comes from Lupin creator George Kay.
It is the story of the determined Scotland Yard Officers who worked for ten years to prove who was responsible, in one of the most complex and dangerous investigations in the history of the Metropolitan Police.
The drama also focuses upon the story of Marina, played by Levieva, who has also recurred on The Blacklist and Revenge, Alexander’s fearless, dignified widow who fought tirelessly to persuade the British Government to publicly name her husband’s killers and acknowledge the role of the Russian State in his murder.
The former Doctor Who star, who recently played serial killer Dennis Nilsen in Des, stars alongside The Deuce’s Margarita Levieva, in the four-part series, which comes from Lupin creator George Kay.
It is the story of the determined Scotland Yard Officers who worked for ten years to prove who was responsible, in one of the most complex and dangerous investigations in the history of the Metropolitan Police.
The drama also focuses upon the story of Marina, played by Levieva, who has also recurred on The Blacklist and Revenge, Alexander’s fearless, dignified widow who fought tirelessly to persuade the British Government to publicly name her husband’s killers and acknowledge the role of the Russian State in his murder.
- 9/30/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky on Monday launched high-end TV series “Domina,” which examines Roman history through a female prism, toplining Kasia Smutniak as Livia Drusilla, the politically astute third wife of Emperor Augustus and mother of Emperor Tiberius, who managed to exert great power at a time of crisis for the Roman Empire.
The Comcast-owned paybox is airing “Domina” in Italy and the U.K. on May 14, followed by playdates on Sky in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on June 3.
The epic costume drama — conceived and written by Simon Burke and lead-directed by Claire McCarthy — is set to bow in the U.S. on Epix June 6.
Smutniak in the lead is supported by an A-list international cast comprising Liam Cunningham who plays Livius, Livia’s father, and Isabella Rossellini playing Balbina, an early enemy.
The “Domina” cast also comprises Matthew McNulty (“Misfits”) as the future emperor Gaius, Christine Bottomley (“The End of the F***ing World”) as Scribonia,...
The Comcast-owned paybox is airing “Domina” in Italy and the U.K. on May 14, followed by playdates on Sky in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on June 3.
The epic costume drama — conceived and written by Simon Burke and lead-directed by Claire McCarthy — is set to bow in the U.S. on Epix June 6.
Smutniak in the lead is supported by an A-list international cast comprising Liam Cunningham who plays Livius, Livia’s father, and Isabella Rossellini playing Balbina, an early enemy.
The “Domina” cast also comprises Matthew McNulty (“Misfits”) as the future emperor Gaius, Christine Bottomley (“The End of the F***ing World”) as Scribonia,...
- 5/10/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Steve McQueen’s anthology series leads the pack with 15 nominations.
Small Axe leads the nominations for this year’s Bafta Television and Bafta Craft awards, which take place on June 6 and May 24, respectively.
The BBC mini-series, created and directed by Steve McQueen, is up for 15 awards (six television and three craft), including best mini-series, John Boyega and Shaun Parkes for leading actor, Letitia Wright for leading actress, and Malachi Kirby and Michael Ward for supporting actor.
Small Axe was produced by Turbine Studios and Lammas Park alongside the BBC and Amazon Studios. Two episodes – Mangrove and Lovers Rock – were picked...
Small Axe leads the nominations for this year’s Bafta Television and Bafta Craft awards, which take place on June 6 and May 24, respectively.
The BBC mini-series, created and directed by Steve McQueen, is up for 15 awards (six television and three craft), including best mini-series, John Boyega and Shaun Parkes for leading actor, Letitia Wright for leading actress, and Malachi Kirby and Michael Ward for supporting actor.
Small Axe was produced by Turbine Studios and Lammas Park alongside the BBC and Amazon Studios. Two episodes – Mangrove and Lovers Rock – were picked...
- 4/28/2021
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
WarnerMedia streamer HBO Max has taken the rights to Channel 4’s sex worker series Adult Material in a deal with Banijay Rights.
Produced by Banijay production outfit Fifty Fathoms, the series stars Hayley Squires (Collateral) as British pornstar Jolene Dollar who is juggling her on-screen sex work with the reality of motherhood at home. Rupert Everett also features as Dollar’s producer Carroll.
Written by Lucy Kirkwood (The Smoke), Adult Material tells a funny and erotic story about sex in the age of the internet, the blurring of fantasy and reality, and economic choices for women.
HBO Max will stream the series in December after it launched on Channel 4 this month. The deal was brokered by Matt Creasey, Banijay Rights’ EVP of sales, co-productions and acquisitions, rest of world.
Adult Material is directed by Dawn Shadforth and written by Kirkwood, who is also an executive producer along with Patrick Spence.
Produced by Banijay production outfit Fifty Fathoms, the series stars Hayley Squires (Collateral) as British pornstar Jolene Dollar who is juggling her on-screen sex work with the reality of motherhood at home. Rupert Everett also features as Dollar’s producer Carroll.
Written by Lucy Kirkwood (The Smoke), Adult Material tells a funny and erotic story about sex in the age of the internet, the blurring of fantasy and reality, and economic choices for women.
HBO Max will stream the series in December after it launched on Channel 4 this month. The deal was brokered by Matt Creasey, Banijay Rights’ EVP of sales, co-productions and acquisitions, rest of world.
Adult Material is directed by Dawn Shadforth and written by Kirkwood, who is also an executive producer along with Patrick Spence.
- 10/14/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
A spin-off of The A Word and a con-artist thriller from Chernobyl producer Sister are two of the latest dramas ordered by British public broadcaster the BBC.
Both projects will air on flagship network BBC One but what is more remarkable about the pair of orders is that both involve emerging writers and in the case of The A Word spin-off, disabled writers.
Ralph and Katie focuses on two of the characters from Peter Bowker’s The A Word.
The series follows Ralph, played by Leon Harrop, and Katie, played Sarah Gordy, as they embark on the biggest adventure of their lives, having just had the wedding of the year. Each 30-minute episode features a different story focusing on the domestic challenges faced by the newlyweds – challenges faced by all newlyweds, but with the added fact that they have Down’s Syndrome.
Written by Bowker with new and emerging disabled writers,...
Both projects will air on flagship network BBC One but what is more remarkable about the pair of orders is that both involve emerging writers and in the case of The A Word spin-off, disabled writers.
Ralph and Katie focuses on two of the characters from Peter Bowker’s The A Word.
The series follows Ralph, played by Leon Harrop, and Katie, played Sarah Gordy, as they embark on the biggest adventure of their lives, having just had the wedding of the year. Each 30-minute episode features a different story focusing on the domestic challenges faced by the newlyweds – challenges faced by all newlyweds, but with the added fact that they have Down’s Syndrome.
Written by Bowker with new and emerging disabled writers,...
- 8/24/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
BBC/ITV SVoD lands trio of dramas from high-profile talent.
Anthony Horowitz, Irvine Welsh and Ridley Scott projects are spearheading UK SVoD BritBox’s debut drama slate.
The BBC and ITV joint-venture has ordered a trio of crime adaptations from the high-profile authors, along with a Patrick Spence (Fortitude) project, as it moves into high-end scripted programming for the first time.
Set to air across 2021 and 2022 with several of the series lengths yet to be determined, the calibre of the talent secured underlines the extent of BritBox’s scripted ambitions.
The Beast Must Die, from Ridley Scott’s Scott Free and New Regency Television,...
Anthony Horowitz, Irvine Welsh and Ridley Scott projects are spearheading UK SVoD BritBox’s debut drama slate.
The BBC and ITV joint-venture has ordered a trio of crime adaptations from the high-profile authors, along with a Patrick Spence (Fortitude) project, as it moves into high-end scripted programming for the first time.
Set to air across 2021 and 2022 with several of the series lengths yet to be determined, the calibre of the talent secured underlines the extent of BritBox’s scripted ambitions.
The Beast Must Die, from Ridley Scott’s Scott Free and New Regency Television,...
- 7/22/2020
- by 1101459¦Hannah Bowler Broadcast¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
“Trainspotting” creator Irvine Welsh will adapt his novel “Crime” alongside long-standing screenwriting partner Dean Cavanagh (“Wedding Belles”) for BBC and ITV-backed streamer BritBox U.K. The six-episode production is one of four original commissions announced by the platform on Wednesday.
Set in Edinburgh and directed by James Strong (“Liar”), “Crime” will star Dougray Scott (“Mission: Impossible 2”) as a detective who is investigating the disappearance of a schoolgirl while battling his own personal demons. It is being produced by Buccaneer Media, Tony Wood and Dougray Scott. Executive producers are Welsh, Cavanagh, Richard Tulk-Hart and James Strong. It is distributed worldwide by Cineflix Rights.
Five-part revenge thriller, “The Beast Must Die,” based on Nicholas Blake’s novel, is being produced by New Regency Television and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free. New Regency will also distribute internationally.
The series stars Jared Harris (“Chernobyl”), Cush Jumbo (“The Good Wife”), Billy Howle (“MotherFatherSon...
Set in Edinburgh and directed by James Strong (“Liar”), “Crime” will star Dougray Scott (“Mission: Impossible 2”) as a detective who is investigating the disappearance of a schoolgirl while battling his own personal demons. It is being produced by Buccaneer Media, Tony Wood and Dougray Scott. Executive producers are Welsh, Cavanagh, Richard Tulk-Hart and James Strong. It is distributed worldwide by Cineflix Rights.
Five-part revenge thriller, “The Beast Must Die,” based on Nicholas Blake’s novel, is being produced by New Regency Television and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free. New Regency will also distribute internationally.
The series stars Jared Harris (“Chernobyl”), Cush Jumbo (“The Good Wife”), Billy Howle (“MotherFatherSon...
- 7/22/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Billions’ Damian Lewis and The Affair alum Dominic West are in negotiations to headline and executive produce a limited series adaptation of bestselling Cold War espionage thriller A Spy Among Friends for Spectrum Originals and UK streamer BritBox.
The six-episode A Spy Among Friends, based on Ben Macintyre’s book, comes from former Homeland executive producer Alexander Cary, Sony Pictures Television and ITV Studios. It is tentatively scheduled to premiere in the fall of 2021.
A Spy Among Friends follows the defection of notorious British intelligence officer and Kgb double agent, Kim Philby (West), through the lens of his complex relationship with MI6 colleague and close friend, Nicholas Elliott (Lewis). The show examines espionage through their friendship, the fallout of which affects East-West relations to this day.
Philby was a British spy who notoriously defected to the Soviet Union in the 1950s, betraying secrets to the Russians in the early years of the Cold War.
The six-episode A Spy Among Friends, based on Ben Macintyre’s book, comes from former Homeland executive producer Alexander Cary, Sony Pictures Television and ITV Studios. It is tentatively scheduled to premiere in the fall of 2021.
A Spy Among Friends follows the defection of notorious British intelligence officer and Kgb double agent, Kim Philby (West), through the lens of his complex relationship with MI6 colleague and close friend, Nicholas Elliott (Lewis). The show examines espionage through their friendship, the fallout of which affects East-West relations to this day.
Philby was a British spy who notoriously defected to the Soviet Union in the 1950s, betraying secrets to the Russians in the early years of the Cold War.
- 7/7/2020
- by Jake Kanter, Peter White and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
“La La Land” director Damien Chazelle’s next project is almost here. Netflix has released the official trailer for “The Eddy,” which hits the streaming service on May 8.
Though the eight-episode miniseries, which stars André Holland (“Moonlight”), marks Chazelle’s first foray into television direction, the premise will be immediately welcoming to longtime fans of the Oscar winner’s famously jazzy work.
More from IndieWireCharlton Heston Makes a Comeback in This Week's Catalog VOD Rentals'Circus of Books' Trailer: Netflix Doc on Mom and Pop Porn Shop Is a Gay 'Stories We Tell'
Per Netflix’s synopsis, “The Eddy” takes place in the vibrant multicultural neighborhoods of modern-day Paris. Once a celebrated jazz pianist in New York, Elliot Udo (Holland) is now the co-owner of the struggling club The Eddy, where he manages the house band fronted by lead singer and on-again-off-again girlfriend Maja (Joanna Kulig).
As Elliot learns that his...
Though the eight-episode miniseries, which stars André Holland (“Moonlight”), marks Chazelle’s first foray into television direction, the premise will be immediately welcoming to longtime fans of the Oscar winner’s famously jazzy work.
More from IndieWireCharlton Heston Makes a Comeback in This Week's Catalog VOD Rentals'Circus of Books' Trailer: Netflix Doc on Mom and Pop Porn Shop Is a Gay 'Stories We Tell'
Per Netflix’s synopsis, “The Eddy” takes place in the vibrant multicultural neighborhoods of modern-day Paris. Once a celebrated jazz pianist in New York, Elliot Udo (Holland) is now the co-owner of the struggling club The Eddy, where he manages the house band fronted by lead singer and on-again-off-again girlfriend Maja (Joanna Kulig).
As Elliot learns that his...
- 4/15/2020
- by Tyler Hersko
- Indiewire
In today’s TV News Roundup, Netflix unveiled a trailer for The Eddy,” and Starz released a trailer for its new crime drama “Hightown.”
Dates
Lifetime will air its “I Was Lorena Bobbitt” on May 25 at 8 p.m, the cabler announced. Part of the network’s “Ripped from the Headlines” series of programming, the new original movie is based on an incident in 1993 in which Lorena Bobbitt (Dani Montalvo) cut off her abusive husband’s (Luke Humphrey) penis, as well as the subsequent media blitz that engulfed Bobbitt. The TV movie comes from Cineflix Productions. Lorena Gallo, now going by her birth name, serves as executive producer, along with Andy Streitfeld, Jeff Vanderwal, Sherri Rufh and Charles Tremayne.
First Looks
Netflix released a trailer for “The Eddy,” the streamer’s upcoming limited series following a struggling jazz club in modern-day Paris. The trailer offers a peek at the club’s...
Dates
Lifetime will air its “I Was Lorena Bobbitt” on May 25 at 8 p.m, the cabler announced. Part of the network’s “Ripped from the Headlines” series of programming, the new original movie is based on an incident in 1993 in which Lorena Bobbitt (Dani Montalvo) cut off her abusive husband’s (Luke Humphrey) penis, as well as the subsequent media blitz that engulfed Bobbitt. The TV movie comes from Cineflix Productions. Lorena Gallo, now going by her birth name, serves as executive producer, along with Andy Streitfeld, Jeff Vanderwal, Sherri Rufh and Charles Tremayne.
First Looks
Netflix released a trailer for “The Eddy,” the streamer’s upcoming limited series following a struggling jazz club in modern-day Paris. The trailer offers a peek at the club’s...
- 4/14/2020
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Home speaker company Sonos on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging that the tech giant took Sonos’ patented technology for its own products, the New York Times reports.
According to lawsuit documents obtained by The Verge, Google got access to Sonos’ patented technology through a 2013 partnership and has allegedly been infringing on Sonos’ patents since 2015 through over a dozen products including Google’s flagship Pixel phones and various Google Home devices.
Sonos has alleged that Google has subsidized prices on its patent-infringed products, flooding the market with cheaper options that have hurt their business.
According to lawsuit documents obtained by The Verge, Google got access to Sonos’ patented technology through a 2013 partnership and has allegedly been infringing on Sonos’ patents since 2015 through over a dozen products including Google’s flagship Pixel phones and various Google Home devices.
Sonos has alleged that Google has subsidized prices on its patent-infringed products, flooding the market with cheaper options that have hurt their business.
- 1/8/2020
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Peaky Blinders fans in the U.S. still have to wait until Netflix drops Season 5 of the epic gangster drama on October 4, but in the UK last night, the season drew to a close on BBC One with a series high 3.8M overnight viewers. The figures edged the record previously set by this season’s episode 3, and come with a higher share at 22.6% of the audience. Overall, the Cillian Murphy-starrer has been blowing away numbers from Seasons 1-4 which aired on BBC Two. The first four episodes of this season have averaged 5.9M in 7-day consolidated viewing across all screens.
When the season debuted in late August, Peaky blazed back onto UK television with its best-ever launch at an average 3.7M viewers in the overnights (6.2M consolidated). Before the move to BBC One this year, Peaky’s highest overnight was the Season 4 finale at 2.4M. The Steven Knight-created...
When the season debuted in late August, Peaky blazed back onto UK television with its best-ever launch at an average 3.7M viewers in the overnights (6.2M consolidated). Before the move to BBC One this year, Peaky’s highest overnight was the Season 4 finale at 2.4M. The Steven Knight-created...
- 9/23/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix is bringing back Peaky Blinders for a fifth season and we’ve got a fantastic new trailer to share with you for it that is sure to get the fans pumped up for what this next season will entail. In the next chapter of the story, the Shelbys grapple with the 1929 stock market crash, and Tommy “confronts new threats to his power from younger family members and fascist rivals.”
It’s been two freakin’ years since Peaky Blinders Season 4 was released on Netflix and I’m so happy that we’ve got six more episodes coming our way soon! It’s been promised by series creator Steven Knight that this season will be filled with “shocks and surprises.”
Here’s the synopsis:
An epic, gangster family series set in the lawless streets of Birmingham, UK and beyond, Peaky Blinders follows the evolution of leader Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) from...
It’s been two freakin’ years since Peaky Blinders Season 4 was released on Netflix and I’m so happy that we’ve got six more episodes coming our way soon! It’s been promised by series creator Steven Knight that this season will be filled with “shocks and surprises.”
Here’s the synopsis:
An epic, gangster family series set in the lawless streets of Birmingham, UK and beyond, Peaky Blinders follows the evolution of leader Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) from...
- 9/20/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
It’s been nearly two years since Peaky Blinders Season 4 was released on Netflix. Well, after that long wait, Season 5 has finally been given a U.S. release date! The six-episode Birmingham, UK set crime saga will be released in the UK on August 25th and in the U.S. on October 4th.
I love this show and it’s about damn time Season 5 gets a release date! Series creator Steven Knight talked about the upcoming chapter of the story saying that it begins with the Wall Street crash of 1929 and the Shelby family “seriously affected because they’ve invested their legitimate money and are going to have to fall back on the illegitimate money.” He also promised “shocks and surprises to come.”
Here’s the synopsis:
An epic, gangster family series set in the lawless streets of Birmingham, UK and beyond, Peaky Blinders follows the evolution of leader Tommy Shelby...
I love this show and it’s about damn time Season 5 gets a release date! Series creator Steven Knight talked about the upcoming chapter of the story saying that it begins with the Wall Street crash of 1929 and the Shelby family “seriously affected because they’ve invested their legitimate money and are going to have to fall back on the illegitimate money.” He also promised “shocks and surprises to come.”
Here’s the synopsis:
An epic, gangster family series set in the lawless streets of Birmingham, UK and beyond, Peaky Blinders follows the evolution of leader Tommy Shelby...
- 8/19/2019
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Netflix has revealed the release date for the fifth season of “Peaky Blinders,” announcing that the Shelby family’s crime saga will launch Oct. 4 on the streaming service. This is after the BBC One drama first airs across the pond, of course.
Here’s the official description for the Steven Knight-created series’ fifth season:
An epic, gangster family series set in the lawless streets of Birmingham, UK and beyond, Peaky Blinders follows the evolution of leader Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) from backstreet crime lord to legitimate businessman and member of parliament. It explores the notions that violence destroys lives, empires rise and fall over time, and class divisions are corrosive. Season 5, returning Friday, October 4th, finds the world thrown into turmoil by the financial crash of 1929. When Tommy Shelby MP is approached by a charismatic politician with a bold vision for Britain, he realizes that his response will impact...
Here’s the official description for the Steven Knight-created series’ fifth season:
An epic, gangster family series set in the lawless streets of Birmingham, UK and beyond, Peaky Blinders follows the evolution of leader Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) from backstreet crime lord to legitimate businessman and member of parliament. It explores the notions that violence destroys lives, empires rise and fall over time, and class divisions are corrosive. Season 5, returning Friday, October 4th, finds the world thrown into turmoil by the financial crash of 1929. When Tommy Shelby MP is approached by a charismatic politician with a bold vision for Britain, he realizes that his response will impact...
- 8/16/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Following last week’s news that Season 5 of epic BAFTA-winning crime saga Peaky Blinders will debut August 25 in the UK, Netflix has set its premiere date for the U.S. and beyond. All six episodes of the Cillian Murphy-led series will launch on the streaming service at 12:01Am Pt on Friday October 4 in the States and all markets where Netflix has the show’s rights.
Anticipation for S5 has been ramping up as the global fanbase eagerly awaits Peaky’s return, nearly two years after Season 4 which was its highest-rated yet — the trailer for the upcoming run has garnered more than 3.5M views since its unveiling at the end of July. The Steven Knight-created series is also coming back after it scored its first Best TV Drama BAFTA, for Season 4, in 2018 — a rarity for a show that many years along.
Season 5 begins with the Wall Street crash...
Anticipation for S5 has been ramping up as the global fanbase eagerly awaits Peaky’s return, nearly two years after Season 4 which was its highest-rated yet — the trailer for the upcoming run has garnered more than 3.5M views since its unveiling at the end of July. The Steven Knight-created series is also coming back after it scored its first Best TV Drama BAFTA, for Season 4, in 2018 — a rarity for a show that many years along.
Season 5 begins with the Wall Street crash...
- 8/16/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Flat caps were out in force on Wednesday in Birmingham, England as the town welcomed the Season 5 world premiere of gangster epic Peaky Blinders. Birmingham is home to Peaky creator and writer Steven Knight, and to the series’ Shelby family that’s led by star Cillian Murphy’s Tommy. At a screening of the first episode of the upcoming season, Knight excited the crowd, saying that much of the next season will be shot locally. He added, “We have two more series to do and we are bringing Peaky Blinders home.” Deadline last year reported that talks were ongoing with the BBC on Seasons 6 and 7, and Knight’s comments certainly make them appear likely. However, producers and the network have yet to officially confirm.
Peaky, which pulled off a rare feat of winning its first Best TV Drama BAFTA in its fourth season, moves to BBC One this year from...
Peaky, which pulled off a rare feat of winning its first Best TV Drama BAFTA in its fourth season, moves to BBC One this year from...
- 7/19/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Patrick Spence, exec producer of Netflix’s forthcoming Damien Chazelle drama The Eddy, is leaving the Endemol Shine Group for ITV Studios.
Spence, who runs Esg-backed Fifty Fathoms, will launch a new scripted studio at the production arm of the British broadcaster. He will produce premium drama for the UK and international market and will look to attract talent, in front of and behind the camera to work under this umbrella.
The deal will also include an investment fund that will enable Spence to invest in some of his own projects alongside ITV Studios Global Entertainment.
Spence, who also exec produced Sky’s Fortitude (above) and BBC drama The A Word, will join in early 2020.
Fifty Fathoms is expected to continue with Endemol Shine expected to announce new leadership later this year.
Julian Bellamy, MD ITV Studios, said, “Patrick is without doubt one of the UK’s most renowned and prolific drama producers.
Spence, who runs Esg-backed Fifty Fathoms, will launch a new scripted studio at the production arm of the British broadcaster. He will produce premium drama for the UK and international market and will look to attract talent, in front of and behind the camera to work under this umbrella.
The deal will also include an investment fund that will enable Spence to invest in some of his own projects alongside ITV Studios Global Entertainment.
Spence, who also exec produced Sky’s Fortitude (above) and BBC drama The A Word, will join in early 2020.
Fifty Fathoms is expected to continue with Endemol Shine expected to announce new leadership later this year.
Julian Bellamy, MD ITV Studios, said, “Patrick is without doubt one of the UK’s most renowned and prolific drama producers.
- 5/29/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Hayley Squires, who starred in Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake and Netflix/BBC co-pro Collateral, is to star in Channel 4 porn drama Adult Material. Rupert Everett of My Best Friend’s Wedding and The Happy Prince also stars.
Squires is to play Jolene Dollar, a mum of three and one of the top porn performers in the UK, in the Lucy Kirkwood-penned series.
Siena Kelly (Vanity Fair), Kerry Godliman (Afterlife), Joe Dempsie (Game of Thrones), Julian Ovenden (Downton Abbey) and Phil Daniels (Quadrophenia) also star.
The four-part series, which is produced by Fortitude and The Eddy producer Fifty Fathoms, looks at the porn industry in modern Britain from the perspective of a woman who has been working in it her entire adult life and has seen it grow from an illegitimate backroom enterprise to a mainstream and highly profitable arm of the telecommunications industry.
It follows the...
Squires is to play Jolene Dollar, a mum of three and one of the top porn performers in the UK, in the Lucy Kirkwood-penned series.
Siena Kelly (Vanity Fair), Kerry Godliman (Afterlife), Joe Dempsie (Game of Thrones), Julian Ovenden (Downton Abbey) and Phil Daniels (Quadrophenia) also star.
The four-part series, which is produced by Fortitude and The Eddy producer Fifty Fathoms, looks at the porn industry in modern Britain from the perspective of a woman who has been working in it her entire adult life and has seen it grow from an illegitimate backroom enterprise to a mainstream and highly profitable arm of the telecommunications industry.
It follows the...
- 5/28/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Andre Holland has been cast in the lead role on Damien Chazelle’s (“La La Land”) upcoming Netflix Series, “The Eddy.” He’s the first to join the show.
“The Eddy” is a musical drama set in contemporary Paris, France. The series revolves around a club, its owner, the house band, and the chaotic city that surrounds them. The series, which will be shot in France and feature dialogue in French, English and Arabic, has an eight-episode order from the streaming service.
Holland is set to play Elliot Udo, a celebrated jazz pianist from New York. Now in Paris and the part-owner of a failing jazz club, Elliot, who is hiding from everyone, has an on-again off-again romance with his lead singer. When his 15-year-old daughter shows up suddenly, Elliot has to face his weakness and learn to grow up.
Also Read: Ricky Gervais' 'After Life' Renewed...
“The Eddy” is a musical drama set in contemporary Paris, France. The series revolves around a club, its owner, the house band, and the chaotic city that surrounds them. The series, which will be shot in France and feature dialogue in French, English and Arabic, has an eight-episode order from the streaming service.
Holland is set to play Elliot Udo, a celebrated jazz pianist from New York. Now in Paris and the part-owner of a failing jazz club, Elliot, who is hiding from everyone, has an on-again off-again romance with his lead singer. When his 15-year-old daughter shows up suddenly, Elliot has to face his weakness and learn to grow up.
Also Read: Ricky Gervais' 'After Life' Renewed...
- 4/4/2019
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
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