“How to Get to Heaven From Belfast,” the new series from “Derry Girls” creator Lisa McGee, has moved to Netflix from Channel 4.
Produced by Hat Trick Productions, the comedy thriller will start shooting in Northern Ireland later this year.
The project was announced by Channel 4 in August 2023. In a statement to Variety, the network cited “changes in editorial direction” and “rising costs” as to why the series could no longer move forward there.
“We loved Lisa McGee’s ‘How to Get to Heaven From Belfast’ and offered a substantial license fee to be its U.K. home,” a Channel 4 spokesperson said. “Unfortunately due to changes in editorial direction as the development process progressed, coupled with rising costs and the recent cooling in the U.S. co-production market, it became impossible to get the right international partner and funding plan in place. We wish Lisa and Hat Trick Productions all...
Produced by Hat Trick Productions, the comedy thriller will start shooting in Northern Ireland later this year.
The project was announced by Channel 4 in August 2023. In a statement to Variety, the network cited “changes in editorial direction” and “rising costs” as to why the series could no longer move forward there.
“We loved Lisa McGee’s ‘How to Get to Heaven From Belfast’ and offered a substantial license fee to be its U.K. home,” a Channel 4 spokesperson said. “Unfortunately due to changes in editorial direction as the development process progressed, coupled with rising costs and the recent cooling in the U.S. co-production market, it became impossible to get the right international partner and funding plan in place. We wish Lisa and Hat Trick Productions all...
- 3/15/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Kumars are plotting a return — this time on American television. Fox has ordered a presentation for multi-camera comedy Meet The Kumars, a followup to the award-winning 2001 BBC series The Kumars At No. 42. Most of the original cast is back for the U.S.-flavored revival of the family sitcom/talk show.
Fox also has come in as a partner on The Donut (working title), a single-camera family business comedy in development at Canada’s CBC from Catherine Reitman and Philip Sternberg, stars of CBC/Netflix’s popular comedy Workin’ Moms, which Reitman created.
The two commissions are part of Fox’s international content expansion, which involves developing and producing scripted series with local creators and studios in English-language territories, currently Canada and the UK and ultimately Australia as well.
Fox’s live-action comedy night ambitions
Meet the Kumars and The Donut also are part of a new...
Fox also has come in as a partner on The Donut (working title), a single-camera family business comedy in development at Canada’s CBC from Catherine Reitman and Philip Sternberg, stars of CBC/Netflix’s popular comedy Workin’ Moms, which Reitman created.
The two commissions are part of Fox’s international content expansion, which involves developing and producing scripted series with local creators and studios in English-language territories, currently Canada and the UK and ultimately Australia as well.
Fox’s live-action comedy night ambitions
Meet the Kumars and The Donut also are part of a new...
- 2/23/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio has penned an ITV drama about a doctor in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic starring Joanne Froggatt.
Mercurio co-wrote Breathtaking with Rachel Clarke, the author of the 2021 novel that the show is based on, and Prasanna Puwanarajah, who played Martin Bashir in The Crown Season 5. All three are qualified doctors.
Filming wrapped quietly earlier this year in Belfast.
Breathtaking is based on Clarke’s unflinching memoir having looked after the most gravely unwell patients in the early days of the pandemic. Amid the tensions, fatigue and rising death toll, she witnessed the courage of patients and NHS staff alike in conditions of unprecedented adversity.
Golden Globe-winner Froggatt, who most recently starred in James Graham’s BBC drama Sherwood, played lead Dr Abbey Henderson and Craig Viveiros (The War of the Worlds) was director.
“Everyone has felt privileged to dramatise Rachel Clarke...
Mercurio co-wrote Breathtaking with Rachel Clarke, the author of the 2021 novel that the show is based on, and Prasanna Puwanarajah, who played Martin Bashir in The Crown Season 5. All three are qualified doctors.
Filming wrapped quietly earlier this year in Belfast.
Breathtaking is based on Clarke’s unflinching memoir having looked after the most gravely unwell patients in the early days of the pandemic. Amid the tensions, fatigue and rising death toll, she witnessed the courage of patients and NHS staff alike in conditions of unprecedented adversity.
Golden Globe-winner Froggatt, who most recently starred in James Graham’s BBC drama Sherwood, played lead Dr Abbey Henderson and Craig Viveiros (The War of the Worlds) was director.
“Everyone has felt privileged to dramatise Rachel Clarke...
- 7/25/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ricky Gervais has directed his first BBC project for a decade as the corporation’s Comedy Director Jon Petrie unveils his debut batch of 11 Short Films since taking on the role last year.
Deadline can reveal that The Office and After Life creator Gervais has directed 7 Minutes, a show about two people awkwardly contemplating suicide from his own Derek Productions.
Penned by Harry Carlile and Jonathan Parramint and starring Joe Wilkinson and Seroca Davis, 7 Minutes’ logline reads: “A desolate train track seems the perfect spot to end it all, until someone else turns up with the same idea. Awkward.”
Gervais’ last BBC project was the Warwick Davis-starring Life’s Too Short, which ran from 2011 to 2013 and was co-written with long-time writing partner Stephen Merchant. Since then, he has mostly made shows for Netflix such as global smash After Life.
Petrie’s Comedy Shorts are comprised of 10-15 minute one-offs,...
Deadline can reveal that The Office and After Life creator Gervais has directed 7 Minutes, a show about two people awkwardly contemplating suicide from his own Derek Productions.
Penned by Harry Carlile and Jonathan Parramint and starring Joe Wilkinson and Seroca Davis, 7 Minutes’ logline reads: “A desolate train track seems the perfect spot to end it all, until someone else turns up with the same idea. Awkward.”
Gervais’ last BBC project was the Warwick Davis-starring Life’s Too Short, which ran from 2011 to 2013 and was co-written with long-time writing partner Stephen Merchant. Since then, he has mostly made shows for Netflix such as global smash After Life.
Petrie’s Comedy Shorts are comprised of 10-15 minute one-offs,...
- 5/24/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Graham Linehan has spoken out about the resulting fallout after sharing his views opposing the trans rights movement, claiming he was asked to disassociate himself from the Father Ted stage musical.
Linehan is known to many for being the co-creator and co-writer of the classic sitcom, along with Arthur Mathews, as well as of shows including Black Books and The It Crowd.
He was suspended from Twitter in 2020 after making a series of controversial remarks about transgender people, but has since been reinstated on the platform.
Though he was reinstated in 2022, Linehan has claimed that his career and social status have not recovered since he began making critical remarks about the trans community.
In an interview with The Times, Linehan claimed that despite previously being involved in reforming Father Ted for the theatre, he’d been asked to end his involvement with the show due to the controversy surrounding him.
Linehan is known to many for being the co-creator and co-writer of the classic sitcom, along with Arthur Mathews, as well as of shows including Black Books and The It Crowd.
He was suspended from Twitter in 2020 after making a series of controversial remarks about transgender people, but has since been reinstated on the platform.
Though he was reinstated in 2022, Linehan has claimed that his career and social status have not recovered since he began making critical remarks about the trans community.
In an interview with The Times, Linehan claimed that despite previously being involved in reforming Father Ted for the theatre, he’d been asked to end his involvement with the show due to the controversy surrounding him.
- 3/17/2023
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - TV
Distributor Hat Trick International (Hti) has closed multiple international sales on ITV series “Di Ray,” from “Line of Duty” creator Jed Mercurio’s Htm Television.
Both seasons of the crime drama, created and written by former “Line of Duty” actor Maya Sondhi, have been acquired by PBS Distribution in a multi-rights deal that will see it broadcast across PBS’s 330+ member stations in the U.S. and streaming on PBS Passport, the PBS Video app and the PBS Masterpiece Prime Video Channel. The deal was brokered by Germaine Sweet, PBS Distribution’s managing director of content acquisitions and Jonathan South, Hti’s North American senior sales executive.
“Di Ray,” executive produced by Mercurio, debuted to strong ratings in 2022 as a 4 x 60′ series on U.K. broadcaster ITV, leading to a second season order of six episodes. Set in Birmingham, the series revolves around Rachita Ray, a Leicester-born police officer who...
Both seasons of the crime drama, created and written by former “Line of Duty” actor Maya Sondhi, have been acquired by PBS Distribution in a multi-rights deal that will see it broadcast across PBS’s 330+ member stations in the U.S. and streaming on PBS Passport, the PBS Video app and the PBS Masterpiece Prime Video Channel. The deal was brokered by Germaine Sweet, PBS Distribution’s managing director of content acquisitions and Jonathan South, Hti’s North American senior sales executive.
“Di Ray,” executive produced by Mercurio, debuted to strong ratings in 2022 as a 4 x 60′ series on U.K. broadcaster ITV, leading to a second season order of six episodes. Set in Birmingham, the series revolves around Rachita Ray, a Leicester-born police officer who...
- 1/31/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Hat Trick Productions, the storied British production company behind Derry Girls and Have I Got News For You, is courting sale talks.
Co-founded by Jimmy Mulville in 1986, Hat Trick has been a bastion of truly independent UK producers but is now entertaining interest from groups including All3Media and Fremantle.
The company has not formally declared it is up for sale and has not engaged the services of an M&a broker, but Deadline hears that it has recently held promising conversations with potential suitors.
Mulville has toyed with the idea of selling in the past, most recently in 2018, when he compared the process to a real estate agent valuing a house. Four years on, sources said there had been a flurry of interest in Hat Trick amid the success of shows including bomb squad drama Trigger Point.
Three sources said that All3Media, the super producer owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and Liberty Global,...
Co-founded by Jimmy Mulville in 1986, Hat Trick has been a bastion of truly independent UK producers but is now entertaining interest from groups including All3Media and Fremantle.
The company has not formally declared it is up for sale and has not engaged the services of an M&a broker, but Deadline hears that it has recently held promising conversations with potential suitors.
Mulville has toyed with the idea of selling in the past, most recently in 2018, when he compared the process to a real estate agent valuing a house. Four years on, sources said there had been a flurry of interest in Hat Trick amid the success of shows including bomb squad drama Trigger Point.
Three sources said that All3Media, the super producer owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and Liberty Global,...
- 12/14/2022
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
As if Prince Andrew wasn’t already disgraced enough, a musical TV special is set to satirize the embattled British royal still further.
Featuring Harry Enfield, one of Britain’s best-known impressionists, “Prince Andrew: The Musical” will focus “on the key events, relationships and controversies of Andrew’s life, including a reimagining of the former-hrh’s bombshell interview with Emily Maitlis,” according to the logline.
Andrew’s disastrous 2019 interview with then “Newsnight” anchor Maitlis was widely mocked and condemned and proved to be the catalyst in Andrew’s banishment from public life.
The musical was written by Kieran Hodgson, who will also play Andrew.
“Kevin & Perry Go Large” star Enfield has been cast as former Prime Minister Tony Blair while Emily Maitlis will be played by “Starstruck’s” Emma Sidi.
Joining them are Munya Chawawa (“Taskmaster”) as Prince Charles, Jenny Bede (“Catastrophe”) as Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson (nicknamed Fergie...
Featuring Harry Enfield, one of Britain’s best-known impressionists, “Prince Andrew: The Musical” will focus “on the key events, relationships and controversies of Andrew’s life, including a reimagining of the former-hrh’s bombshell interview with Emily Maitlis,” according to the logline.
Andrew’s disastrous 2019 interview with then “Newsnight” anchor Maitlis was widely mocked and condemned and proved to be the catalyst in Andrew’s banishment from public life.
The musical was written by Kieran Hodgson, who will also play Andrew.
“Kevin & Perry Go Large” star Enfield has been cast as former Prime Minister Tony Blair while Emily Maitlis will be played by “Starstruck’s” Emma Sidi.
Joining them are Munya Chawawa (“Taskmaster”) as Prince Charles, Jenny Bede (“Catastrophe”) as Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson (nicknamed Fergie...
- 11/24/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Emma Sidi has landed the role of broadcaster and MacTaggart Lecture giver Emily Maitlis in Channel 4’s upcoming satire Prince Andrew: The Musical.
Maitlis’ bombshell BBC interview on Newsnight with Prince Andrew, in which the royal denied a friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and made several eyebrow-raising statements, led to cascade of events that saw him step back from royal duty.
Maitlis has since left the BBC and was credited for delivering a barnstorming MacTaggart at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival. The musical special will feature a reimagining of her interview with Prince Andrew, with emerging British comedy star Sidi playing the journalist.
Kieran Hodgson (Two Doors Down), who has written the show to a musical score along with Freddie Tapner, plays the royal and will focus on events, relationships and controversies in his life.
Further central cast announced today are Munya Chawawa as Prince Charles and Jenny Bede as Prince Andrew’s former wife Sarah Ferguson.
Also cast are Joe Wilkinson as a newspaper vendor; Harry Enfield (Harry Enfield and Friends) as Prime Minister Tony Blair and Baga Chipz (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK) as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Hat Trick Productions is making Prince Andrew: The Musical, with Adam Reeve producing and Stu Mather and Jimmy Mulville the executive producers. Hodgson is an associate producer.
The program was first unveiled in August at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
Maitlis’ bombshell BBC interview on Newsnight with Prince Andrew, in which the royal denied a friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and made several eyebrow-raising statements, led to cascade of events that saw him step back from royal duty.
Maitlis has since left the BBC and was credited for delivering a barnstorming MacTaggart at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival. The musical special will feature a reimagining of her interview with Prince Andrew, with emerging British comedy star Sidi playing the journalist.
Kieran Hodgson (Two Doors Down), who has written the show to a musical score along with Freddie Tapner, plays the royal and will focus on events, relationships and controversies in his life.
Further central cast announced today are Munya Chawawa as Prince Charles and Jenny Bede as Prince Andrew’s former wife Sarah Ferguson.
Also cast are Joe Wilkinson as a newspaper vendor; Harry Enfield (Harry Enfield and Friends) as Prime Minister Tony Blair and Baga Chipz (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK) as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Hat Trick Productions is making Prince Andrew: The Musical, with Adam Reeve producing and Stu Mather and Jimmy Mulville the executive producers. Hodgson is an associate producer.
The program was first unveiled in August at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
- 11/24/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Acting head of drama Ben Irving, senior commissioner Manda Levin to leave, while development head Tom Lazenby has deparated.
The BBC drama department has been hit with a triple departure: acting director of drama Ben Irving and senior commissioning editor Manda Levin are leaving the corporation, and head of development Tom Lazenby has already departed.
The trio of departures represents a significant change to the team, and will give incoming director of drama Lindsay Salt scope to reshape it after she joins from Netflix UK on Tuesday.
Irving is leaving to join Severance producer Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) in...
The BBC drama department has been hit with a triple departure: acting director of drama Ben Irving and senior commissioning editor Manda Levin are leaving the corporation, and head of development Tom Lazenby has already departed.
The trio of departures represents a significant change to the team, and will give incoming director of drama Lindsay Salt scope to reshape it after she joins from Netflix UK on Tuesday.
Irving is leaving to join Severance producer Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) in...
- 9/16/2022
- by Ellie Kahn Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Acting head of drama Ben Irving, senior commissioner Manda Levin to leave, while development head Tom Lazenby has deparated.
The BBC drama department has been hit with a triple departure: acting director of drama Ben Irving and senior commissioning editor Manda Levin are leaving the corporation, and head of development Tom Lazenby has already departed.
The trio of departures represents a significant change to the team, and will give incoming director of drama Lindsay Salt scope to reshape it after she joins from Netflix UK on Tuesday.
Irving is leaving to join Severance producer Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) in...
The BBC drama department has been hit with a triple departure: acting director of drama Ben Irving and senior commissioning editor Manda Levin are leaving the corporation, and head of development Tom Lazenby has already departed.
The trio of departures represents a significant change to the team, and will give incoming director of drama Lindsay Salt scope to reshape it after she joins from Netflix UK on Tuesday.
Irving is leaving to join Severance producer Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) in...
- 9/16/2022
- by Ellie Kahn Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
The “History of a Pleasure Seeker” pilot is not moving forward and will not be be picked up to series at Hulu, Variety has learned exclusively.
The show was first ordered to pilot at the streaming service back in March 2022. It was based on the Richard Mason novel of the same name. Per the official logline, the show was a musical drama “set in Amsterdam in 1907, a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.”
The cast for the pilot included Carla Woodcock, Callum Kerr, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Olumide Olorunfemi, and Bebe Bettencourt.
“History of a Pleasure Seeker” was based on the Richard Mason novel of the same name. Mason adapted the novel for the screen and also served as an executive producer. Julie Anne Robinson directed and executive produced the pilot. Christopher Read executive produced in addition to serving as composer.
The show was first ordered to pilot at the streaming service back in March 2022. It was based on the Richard Mason novel of the same name. Per the official logline, the show was a musical drama “set in Amsterdam in 1907, a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.”
The cast for the pilot included Carla Woodcock, Callum Kerr, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Olumide Olorunfemi, and Bebe Bettencourt.
“History of a Pleasure Seeker” was based on the Richard Mason novel of the same name. Mason adapted the novel for the screen and also served as an executive producer. Julie Anne Robinson directed and executive produced the pilot. Christopher Read executive produced in addition to serving as composer.
- 9/2/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
ITV has unveiled a slate of new comedy commissions, most of which will premiere on Itvx, its upcoming free streaming service.
New comedy titles include “Plebs: Soldiers of Rome,” “Deep Fake Neighbour Wars,” “Ruby Speaking Count,” “Abdulla” and “Significant Other.”
“The arrival of Itvx gives us more opportunities to commission a broad range of comedies and a dedicated place for the genre to call home,” said Nana Hughes, ITV’s Head of Comedy. The executive added that ITV aspired to showcase a “huge cross section of contemporary, diverse and inclusive comedy.”
“We want to take risks but most importantly we want our audiences to find shows that reflect them and make them laugh,” Hughes continued.
“Plebs: Soldiers of Rome” is a a feature-length special based on the award-winning comedy series “Plebs” which has had five successful seasons. “Plebs” is directed and written by Sam Leifer and co-written by Tom Basden.
New comedy titles include “Plebs: Soldiers of Rome,” “Deep Fake Neighbour Wars,” “Ruby Speaking Count,” “Abdulla” and “Significant Other.”
“The arrival of Itvx gives us more opportunities to commission a broad range of comedies and a dedicated place for the genre to call home,” said Nana Hughes, ITV’s Head of Comedy. The executive added that ITV aspired to showcase a “huge cross section of contemporary, diverse and inclusive comedy.”
“We want to take risks but most importantly we want our audiences to find shows that reflect them and make them laugh,” Hughes continued.
“Plebs: Soldiers of Rome” is a a feature-length special based on the award-winning comedy series “Plebs” which has had five successful seasons. “Plebs” is directed and written by Sam Leifer and co-written by Tom Basden.
- 8/22/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Ato Blankson-Wood, star of Jeremy O. Harris’ Broadway show Slave Play, is the latest star added to Hulu’s musical pilot History of a Pleasure Seeker.
Blankson-Wood joins leads Carla Woodcock and Callum Kerr, Lesley-Ann Brandt, who Deadline revealed earlier this week, and Olumide Olorunfemi and Bebe Bettencourt in the project.
The project, which is based on Richard Mason’s novel, is a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907 — a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
The book, which was published in 2012 by Penguin Random House, follows Piet Barol, who has an instinctive appreciation for pleasure and a gift for finding it. When his mother dies, Piet applies for a job as tutor to the troubled son of Europe’s leading hotelier – a child who refuses to leave his family’s mansion on one of Amsterdam’s grandest canals.
Blankson-Wood joins leads Carla Woodcock and Callum Kerr, Lesley-Ann Brandt, who Deadline revealed earlier this week, and Olumide Olorunfemi and Bebe Bettencourt in the project.
The project, which is based on Richard Mason’s novel, is a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907 — a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
The book, which was published in 2012 by Penguin Random House, follows Piet Barol, who has an instinctive appreciation for pleasure and a gift for finding it. When his mother dies, Piet applies for a job as tutor to the troubled son of Europe’s leading hotelier – a child who refuses to leave his family’s mansion on one of Amsterdam’s grandest canals.
- 5/26/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Lucifer’s Lesley-Ann Brandt is joining Hulu musical pilot History of a Pleasure Seeker.
The project, which is based on Richard Mason’s novel, is a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907 — a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
The book, which was published in 2012 by Penguin Random House, follows Piet Barol, who has an instinctive appreciation for pleasure and a gift for finding it. When his mother dies, Piet applies for a job as tutor to the troubled son of Europe’s leading hotelier – a child who refuses to leave his family’s mansion on one of Amsterdam’s grandest canals. As Piet enters this glittering world, he learns its secrets and finds his life transformed.
Brandt will play Jacobina in the project. Powerful, beautiful and always in control, Jacobina has achieved everything her privileged childhood taught her to wish for.
The project, which is based on Richard Mason’s novel, is a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907 — a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
The book, which was published in 2012 by Penguin Random House, follows Piet Barol, who has an instinctive appreciation for pleasure and a gift for finding it. When his mother dies, Piet applies for a job as tutor to the troubled son of Europe’s leading hotelier – a child who refuses to leave his family’s mansion on one of Amsterdam’s grandest canals. As Piet enters this glittering world, he learns its secrets and finds his life transformed.
Brandt will play Jacobina in the project. Powerful, beautiful and always in control, Jacobina has achieved everything her privileged childhood taught her to wish for.
- 5/24/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Peacock is to be the U.S. home of ITV’s Jed Mercurio-produced thriller Trigger Point.
The high-pressured drama starring Line of Duty’s Vicky McClure and Life’s Adrian Lester follows the streamer’s acquisition of similar UK scripted shows such as BBC double The Capture and Vigil.
The NBCU streamer will launch the series on July 8.
Trigger Point, which was produced by Line of Duty creator Mercurio’s Htm Television and written by newcomer Daniel Brierley, stars McClure and Lester as frontline officers who must risk their lives during a terrorist campaign in the heart of London. When a terrorist campaign threatens the capital over one summer, the Expos are at the forefront of urgent efforts to find out who is behind the bombings before fatalities escalate.
With Mercurio’s reputation for ratings-grabbers preceding him, the six-parter performed extremely well with audiences, amassing almost 10M for some of its later episodes.
The high-pressured drama starring Line of Duty’s Vicky McClure and Life’s Adrian Lester follows the streamer’s acquisition of similar UK scripted shows such as BBC double The Capture and Vigil.
The NBCU streamer will launch the series on July 8.
Trigger Point, which was produced by Line of Duty creator Mercurio’s Htm Television and written by newcomer Daniel Brierley, stars McClure and Lester as frontline officers who must risk their lives during a terrorist campaign in the heart of London. When a terrorist campaign threatens the capital over one summer, the Expos are at the forefront of urgent efforts to find out who is behind the bombings before fatalities escalate.
With Mercurio’s reputation for ratings-grabbers preceding him, the six-parter performed extremely well with audiences, amassing almost 10M for some of its later episodes.
- 5/6/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hulu musical drama pilot “History of a Pleasure Seeker” has added Olumide Olorunfemi and Bebe Bettencourt to its cast, Variety has learned.
The pair join previously announced cast members Carla Woodcock and Callum Kerr in the pilot, which is based on the Richard Mason novel of the same name.
“History of a Pleasure Seeker” is set in Amsterdam in 1907 and tells the tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
Olorunfemi will play Sisanda, a Xhosa woman raised in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. She’s used to being the most admired young lady in her village. She did not imagine she’d spend her life cleaning other people’s floors.
Olorunfemi was recently featured in the Marvel film “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” as the younger version of Naomie Harris’ character, Shriek. She is repped by Independent Talent Group.
The pair join previously announced cast members Carla Woodcock and Callum Kerr in the pilot, which is based on the Richard Mason novel of the same name.
“History of a Pleasure Seeker” is set in Amsterdam in 1907 and tells the tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
Olorunfemi will play Sisanda, a Xhosa woman raised in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. She’s used to being the most admired young lady in her village. She did not imagine she’d spend her life cleaning other people’s floors.
Olorunfemi was recently featured in the Marvel film “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” as the younger version of Naomie Harris’ character, Shriek. She is repped by Independent Talent Group.
- 4/27/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Hulu pilot History Of A Pleasure Seeker continues to add to its cast.
Olumide Olorunfemi, who recently featured in Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and Bebe Bettencourt, who starred in Australian drama series Eden, have joined.
The project, which is based on Richard Mason’s novel, is a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907 — a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
The book, which was published in 2012 by Penguin Random House, follows Piet Barol, who has an instinctive appreciation for pleasure and a gift for finding it. When his mother dies, Piet applies for a job as tutor to the troubled son of Europe’s leading hotelier – a child who refuses to leave his family’s mansion on one of Amsterdam’s grandest canals. As Piet enters this glittering world, he learns its secrets and finds his life transformed.
Olumide Olorunfemi, who recently featured in Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and Bebe Bettencourt, who starred in Australian drama series Eden, have joined.
The project, which is based on Richard Mason’s novel, is a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907 — a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
The book, which was published in 2012 by Penguin Random House, follows Piet Barol, who has an instinctive appreciation for pleasure and a gift for finding it. When his mother dies, Piet applies for a job as tutor to the troubled son of Europe’s leading hotelier – a child who refuses to leave his family’s mansion on one of Amsterdam’s grandest canals. As Piet enters this glittering world, he learns its secrets and finds his life transformed.
- 4/27/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Carla Woodcock and Callum Kerr are starring in Hulu pilot History of a Pleasure Seeker.
The pair are set as the leads in the one-hour musical drama pilot, which is based on Richard Mason’s novel and will be directed by Bridgerton director Julie Anne Robinson.
2022 Hulu Pilots & Series Orders
Woodcock, who starred in Netflix series Free Rein and is set to star in ITV drama Tell Me Everything, will play Constance and Kerr, who stars in Fox drama Monarch and starred in Hulu’s Four Weddings and a Funeral, will play Piet.
Written and executive produced by Mason, History of a Pleasure Seeker is a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907 — a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
The book, which was published in 2012 by Penguin Random House, follows Piet Barol, who has an instinctive appreciation for pleasure...
The pair are set as the leads in the one-hour musical drama pilot, which is based on Richard Mason’s novel and will be directed by Bridgerton director Julie Anne Robinson.
2022 Hulu Pilots & Series Orders
Woodcock, who starred in Netflix series Free Rein and is set to star in ITV drama Tell Me Everything, will play Constance and Kerr, who stars in Fox drama Monarch and starred in Hulu’s Four Weddings and a Funeral, will play Piet.
Written and executive produced by Mason, History of a Pleasure Seeker is a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907 — a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
The book, which was published in 2012 by Penguin Random House, follows Piet Barol, who has an instinctive appreciation for pleasure...
- 4/7/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Carla Woodcock and Callum Kerr are set to star in the Hulu pilot “History of a Pleasure Seeker,” Variety has learned.
The project is described as a a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907, a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
Woodcock will play Constance, the most magnetic girl in Amsterdam and the undisputed queen of the city’s gilded youth. Kerr will play Piet, tutor to a very troubled child and an extreme empath, with the confidence to back himself against the odds. His smile and sex appeal open doors, but his real superpower is his intuition.
Woodcock will next be seen in the UK series “Tell Me Everything” and the upcoming limited series “Flowers in the Attic: The Origin.” She is also set to star in the feature “The Colour Room” alongside Matthew Goode and Phoebe Dyvenor.
The project is described as a a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907, a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
Woodcock will play Constance, the most magnetic girl in Amsterdam and the undisputed queen of the city’s gilded youth. Kerr will play Piet, tutor to a very troubled child and an extreme empath, with the confidence to back himself against the odds. His smile and sex appeal open doors, but his real superpower is his intuition.
Woodcock will next be seen in the UK series “Tell Me Everything” and the upcoming limited series “Flowers in the Attic: The Origin.” She is also set to star in the feature “The Colour Room” alongside Matthew Goode and Phoebe Dyvenor.
- 4/7/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Hulu has handed a pilot order to History of a Pleasure Seeker, a one-hour musical drama based on Richard Mason’s novel of the same name. Mason is adapting his book himself with Bridgerton director Julie Anne Robinson helming the pilot and exec producing.
Written and executive produced by Mason, History of a Pleasure Seeker is a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907 — a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
2022 Hulu Pilots & Series Orders
ABC Signature is producing the pilot in association with American Gods and The Mosquito Coast producer Fremantle and Hat Trick Productions, the British production company behind series such as Showtime’s Episodes and Anna Paquin’s Flack.
Mason executive produces with Robinson, who will direct, along with The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey, Hat Trick Productions boss Jimmy Mulville and Fremantle. Christopher Read will compose the music,...
Written and executive produced by Mason, History of a Pleasure Seeker is a musical drama set in Amsterdam in 1907 — a tale of a charismatic young man’s explosive adventures through all the temptations of the Belle Époque.
2022 Hulu Pilots & Series Orders
ABC Signature is producing the pilot in association with American Gods and The Mosquito Coast producer Fremantle and Hat Trick Productions, the British production company behind series such as Showtime’s Episodes and Anna Paquin’s Flack.
Mason executive produces with Robinson, who will direct, along with The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey, Hat Trick Productions boss Jimmy Mulville and Fremantle. Christopher Read will compose the music,...
- 3/31/2022
- by Peter White and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
A first look at the third and final season of “Derry Girls” is finally here — and just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 has unveiled the first Season 3 still and trailer for the show, which garnered global popularity via Netflix. The drama is created and written by Lisa McGee, who mined her own experiences growing up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
While Season 1 observed the gang navigating their teens in 1990s Derry against a backdrop of The Troubles, Season 2 charted the group navigating their parents, parties, love interests and school against the backdrop of a precarious peace process. In Season 3 — which still doesn’t have a launch date on Channel 4 — viewers will see that while Northern Ireland is growing up, “this gang of eejits certainly aren’t anytime soon.”
“While there’s hope in the air that The Troubles may finally be over,...
U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 has unveiled the first Season 3 still and trailer for the show, which garnered global popularity via Netflix. The drama is created and written by Lisa McGee, who mined her own experiences growing up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
While Season 1 observed the gang navigating their teens in 1990s Derry against a backdrop of The Troubles, Season 2 charted the group navigating their parents, parties, love interests and school against the backdrop of a precarious peace process. In Season 3 — which still doesn’t have a launch date on Channel 4 — viewers will see that while Northern Ireland is growing up, “this gang of eejits certainly aren’t anytime soon.”
“While there’s hope in the air that The Troubles may finally be over,...
- 3/17/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Streaming
Discovery racked up subscription numbers during the opening week of the ongoing Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, the company has revealed. Eight times more viewers are streaming Olympic content on Discovery’s streaming services compared to the same period for Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, with total new paid subscribers already surpassing 2018 with a week of competition still to go. Three-quarters of a billion streaming minutes have been consumed on Discovery’s subscription services so far, more than 18 times higher than the same period of PyeongChang 2018. Average minutes consumed per viewer across Discovery Plus and Eurosport streaming services has more than doubled, with audiences also n average watching 29% longer on television vs PyeongChang 2018. Discovery’s free Olympic news and short video clips on Eurosport.com have also more than doubled their reach. On the linear TV front, Eurosport audiences have maintained 2018 levels.
Jean-Briac Perrette, president and CEO, Discovery streaming and International,...
Discovery racked up subscription numbers during the opening week of the ongoing Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, the company has revealed. Eight times more viewers are streaming Olympic content on Discovery’s streaming services compared to the same period for Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, with total new paid subscribers already surpassing 2018 with a week of competition still to go. Three-quarters of a billion streaming minutes have been consumed on Discovery’s subscription services so far, more than 18 times higher than the same period of PyeongChang 2018. Average minutes consumed per viewer across Discovery Plus and Eurosport streaming services has more than doubled, with audiences also n average watching 29% longer on television vs PyeongChang 2018. Discovery’s free Olympic news and short video clips on Eurosport.com have also more than doubled their reach. On the linear TV front, Eurosport audiences have maintained 2018 levels.
Jean-Briac Perrette, president and CEO, Discovery streaming and International,...
- 2/15/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
AMC Networks has unveiled a slew of renewals across its streaming services.
Kin, Bloodlands, My Life Is Murder, Creepshow and Slasher have all been picked up for additional seasons.
Slasher, which airs on Shudder, has also set Will & Grace’s Eric McCormack as lead on its latest installment, Slasher: Ripper.
The series, which has been renewed for its fifth season, is heading back in time to the late 19th century — there’s a killer stalking the mean streets, but instead of targeting the poor and downtrodden like Jack the Ripper, The Widow is meting out justice against the rich and powerful. The only person standing in the way of this killer is the newly promoted detective, Kenneth Rijkers, whose ironclad belief in justice may wind up being yet another victim.
McCormack will play Basil Garvey, a charismatic tycoon whose success is only rivaled by his ruthlessness, as he oversees...
Kin, Bloodlands, My Life Is Murder, Creepshow and Slasher have all been picked up for additional seasons.
Slasher, which airs on Shudder, has also set Will & Grace’s Eric McCormack as lead on its latest installment, Slasher: Ripper.
The series, which has been renewed for its fifth season, is heading back in time to the late 19th century — there’s a killer stalking the mean streets, but instead of targeting the poor and downtrodden like Jack the Ripper, The Widow is meting out justice against the rich and powerful. The only person standing in the way of this killer is the newly promoted detective, Kenneth Rijkers, whose ironclad belief in justice may wind up being yet another victim.
McCormack will play Basil Garvey, a charismatic tycoon whose success is only rivaled by his ruthlessness, as he oversees...
- 2/10/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
AMC Networks announced renewals for six series across multiple platforms: “Kin,” “Bloodlands,” “My Life is Murder,” “London Kills,” “Creepshow” and the “Slasher” franchise. The new “Slasher” installment is entitled “Slasher: Ripper” and will star Eric McCormack as ruthless tycoon Basil Garvey. The announcements were made at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour.
“Kin,” the Irish gang drama streaming on AMC Plus, is returning for its second season. The series centers the Kinsellas, a crime family that wars with and ultimately kills powerful drug kingpin Eamon Cunningham (Ciarán Hinds). Season 2 will begin production this summer and follow the Kinsellas as they become the top dogs in Dublin but must deal with the consequences of Cunningham’s death. Charlie Cox, Clare Dunne and Aidan Gillen star. “Kin” is produced by Bron Studios and Headline Pictures. Peter McKenna serves as showrunner, executive producer, writer and creator.
Irish crime thriller “Bloodlands” has...
“Kin,” the Irish gang drama streaming on AMC Plus, is returning for its second season. The series centers the Kinsellas, a crime family that wars with and ultimately kills powerful drug kingpin Eamon Cunningham (Ciarán Hinds). Season 2 will begin production this summer and follow the Kinsellas as they become the top dogs in Dublin but must deal with the consequences of Cunningham’s death. Charlie Cox, Clare Dunne and Aidan Gillen star. “Kin” is produced by Bron Studios and Headline Pictures. Peter McKenna serves as showrunner, executive producer, writer and creator.
Irish crime thriller “Bloodlands” has...
- 2/10/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Dylan Moran, who wrote and starred in cult show “Black Books” alongside Bill Bailey, is returning to television with a new comedy series “Stuck,” starring Morgana Robinson (“The Windsors”).
The series, which will begin shooting in Belfast this month, is described as “sometimes dark, sometimes surreal.” It is produced by Hat Trick Productions with Ian FitzGibbon (“Hullraisers”) set to direct.
“Stuck” explores the relationship between Dan (played by Moran) and Carla (Robinson) a couple with an age gap who are at a cross-roads. Dan has been made redundant; Carla is dissatisfied with her life. When Carla’s ex-girlfriend Maya re-appears, things start to get even more tricky.
As well as “Black Books,” Moran has appeared in “Shaun of the Dead,” “Notting Hill” and TV series “Uncle.” He can currently be seen as Uthrok One-Nut in “The Witcher: Blood Origin.”
Robinson played Mrs Jenkins in “The Witches” and has appeared in...
The series, which will begin shooting in Belfast this month, is described as “sometimes dark, sometimes surreal.” It is produced by Hat Trick Productions with Ian FitzGibbon (“Hullraisers”) set to direct.
“Stuck” explores the relationship between Dan (played by Moran) and Carla (Robinson) a couple with an age gap who are at a cross-roads. Dan has been made redundant; Carla is dissatisfied with her life. When Carla’s ex-girlfriend Maya re-appears, things start to get even more tricky.
As well as “Black Books,” Moran has appeared in “Shaun of the Dead,” “Notting Hill” and TV series “Uncle.” He can currently be seen as Uthrok One-Nut in “The Witcher: Blood Origin.”
Robinson played Mrs Jenkins in “The Witches” and has appeared in...
- 1/7/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio and his Htm Television partner, Episodes and Flack producer Jimmy Mulville, have struck a first-look deal with 20th Television.
It comes as the pair, who produce series such as BBC drama Bloodlands and ITV drama Trigger Point via Htm, are looking to expand into the U.S.
Deadline revealed in September that Htm was also producing crime drama Di Ray starring ER’s Parminder Nagra and written by Line of Duty’s Maya Sondhi, for ITV.
It marks a return to the U.S. for Mercurio, who had previously written a number of U.S. pilots that never made it. He told Deadline in 2019 that he was looking to the States for projects after he had got his cop thriller Line of Duty running smoothly on BBC One.
He said that he’d written a number of pilots between medical drama Bodies, which was the first collaboration between the pair,...
It comes as the pair, who produce series such as BBC drama Bloodlands and ITV drama Trigger Point via Htm, are looking to expand into the U.S.
Deadline revealed in September that Htm was also producing crime drama Di Ray starring ER’s Parminder Nagra and written by Line of Duty’s Maya Sondhi, for ITV.
It marks a return to the U.S. for Mercurio, who had previously written a number of U.S. pilots that never made it. He told Deadline in 2019 that he was looking to the States for projects after he had got his cop thriller Line of Duty running smoothly on BBC One.
He said that he’d written a number of pilots between medical drama Bodies, which was the first collaboration between the pair,...
- 11/4/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Jed Mercurio and Jimmy Mulville’s Htm Television has signed a multi-year first-look deal with 20th Television.
Mercurio’s latest series, “Bodyguard” and “Line of Duty,” have both broke ratings records for UK television drama. His other credits include “Bodies,” “Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” “Critical,” “Strike Back,” “The Grimleys,” and “Cardiac Arrest.” Mulville is known for his work on shows like “Whose Line is it Anyway?” “Episodes” starring Matt LeBlanc, “Flack” starring Anna Paquin, “Kate & Koji” starring Brenda Blethyn and Jimmy Akingbola, and the hit Channel 4 comedy “Derry Girls.”
“We are huge fans of Jed and Jimmy’s work at this studio, from Jed’s “Line of Duty” and “Bodyguard” to Jimmy’s “Episodes” and “Whose Line…?,” so we jumped at the chance to be in business with their prolific Htm Television,” said Karey Burke, president of 20th TV. “These guys are artists at the top of their games...
Mercurio’s latest series, “Bodyguard” and “Line of Duty,” have both broke ratings records for UK television drama. His other credits include “Bodies,” “Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” “Critical,” “Strike Back,” “The Grimleys,” and “Cardiac Arrest.” Mulville is known for his work on shows like “Whose Line is it Anyway?” “Episodes” starring Matt LeBlanc, “Flack” starring Anna Paquin, “Kate & Koji” starring Brenda Blethyn and Jimmy Akingbola, and the hit Channel 4 comedy “Derry Girls.”
“We are huge fans of Jed and Jimmy’s work at this studio, from Jed’s “Line of Duty” and “Bodyguard” to Jimmy’s “Episodes” and “Whose Line…?,” so we jumped at the chance to be in business with their prolific Htm Television,” said Karey Burke, president of 20th TV. “These guys are artists at the top of their games...
- 11/4/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
U.K. producers Jed Mercurio and Jimmy Mulville are expanding to the U.S.
The duo and their Htm Television banner have inked a multiple-year, first-look TV deal with Disney’s 20th Television.
Under the pact, Mercurio (Bodyguard, Line of Duty, Bodies, Lady Chatterley’s Lover) and Mulville (Flack, Episodes, Whose Line Is It Anyway?) will create and develop new projects for the studio as they expand from U.K. productions into U.S. originals.
“We are huge fans of Jed and Jimmy’s work at this studio, from Jed’s Line of Duty and Bodyguard to Jimmy’s Episodes and Whose Line…?, so we jumped at the chance to ...
The duo and their Htm Television banner have inked a multiple-year, first-look TV deal with Disney’s 20th Television.
Under the pact, Mercurio (Bodyguard, Line of Duty, Bodies, Lady Chatterley’s Lover) and Mulville (Flack, Episodes, Whose Line Is It Anyway?) will create and develop new projects for the studio as they expand from U.K. productions into U.S. originals.
“We are huge fans of Jed and Jimmy’s work at this studio, from Jed’s Line of Duty and Bodyguard to Jimmy’s Episodes and Whose Line…?, so we jumped at the chance to ...
- 11/4/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
U.K. producers Jed Mercurio and Jimmy Mulville are expanding to the U.S.
The duo and their Htm Television banner have inked a multiple-year, first-look TV deal with Disney’s 20th Television.
Under the pact, Mercurio (Bodyguard, Line of Duty, Bodies, Lady Chatterley’s Lover) and Mulville (Flack, Episodes, Whose Line Is It Anyway?) will create and develop new projects for the studio as they expand from U.K. productions into U.S. originals.
“We are huge fans of Jed and Jimmy’s work at this studio, from Jed’s Line of Duty and Bodyguard to Jimmy’s Episodes and Whose Line…?, so we jumped at the chance to ...
The duo and their Htm Television banner have inked a multiple-year, first-look TV deal with Disney’s 20th Television.
Under the pact, Mercurio (Bodyguard, Line of Duty, Bodies, Lady Chatterley’s Lover) and Mulville (Flack, Episodes, Whose Line Is It Anyway?) will create and develop new projects for the studio as they expand from U.K. productions into U.S. originals.
“We are huge fans of Jed and Jimmy’s work at this studio, from Jed’s Line of Duty and Bodyguard to Jimmy’s Episodes and Whose Line…?, so we jumped at the chance to ...
- 11/4/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: UK studio comedy and entertainment shows are preparing to throw open their doors to live audiences from next week, as the British government relaxes social restrictions amid an easing of the coronavirus crisis.
From May 17, there won’t just be bums on seats in cinema screening rooms and theatres — some of the UK’s biggest television studios will once again welcome members of the public, meaning comedians and performers can get back to what they do best: Playing to a crowd.
Audiences briefly trickled back into television recordings last fall, but as Covid-19 cases rocketed, doors have been shut for months, and shows have largely recorded in front of virtual gatherings or scrapped audiences completely.
There is hope among producers that the latest unlocking will be more sustainable after the UK’s successful vaccination rollout. Some shows are planning to open at full capacity from June 21, when there should...
From May 17, there won’t just be bums on seats in cinema screening rooms and theatres — some of the UK’s biggest television studios will once again welcome members of the public, meaning comedians and performers can get back to what they do best: Playing to a crowd.
Audiences briefly trickled back into television recordings last fall, but as Covid-19 cases rocketed, doors have been shut for months, and shows have largely recorded in front of virtual gatherings or scrapped audiences completely.
There is hope among producers that the latest unlocking will be more sustainable after the UK’s successful vaccination rollout. Some shows are planning to open at full capacity from June 21, when there should...
- 5/12/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
British crime drama series Bloodlands, which stars James Nesbitt and comes from Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio, has been renewed for a second season by the BBC.
This comes after the four-part show became the British public broadcaster’s biggest drama launch ever in Northern Ireland. It launched in the UK with 8.2M viewers, making it the biggest new BBC drama launch since last June with over 50% audience share in Northern Ireland, where the show is set.
The show is set to launch on AMC Networks streamer Acorn TV in the U.S. on March 15. Acorn has the option on future seasons but has yet to commit to the second season.
The noir-ish drama follows Dci Tom Brannick, played by Nesbitt, a veteran detective who delves into his own dark past to try and solve an infamous cold case with enormous personal significance: a series of mysterious disappearances linked to a...
This comes after the four-part show became the British public broadcaster’s biggest drama launch ever in Northern Ireland. It launched in the UK with 8.2M viewers, making it the biggest new BBC drama launch since last June with over 50% audience share in Northern Ireland, where the show is set.
The show is set to launch on AMC Networks streamer Acorn TV in the U.S. on March 15. Acorn has the option on future seasons but has yet to commit to the second season.
The noir-ish drama follows Dci Tom Brannick, played by Nesbitt, a veteran detective who delves into his own dark past to try and solve an infamous cold case with enormous personal significance: a series of mysterious disappearances linked to a...
- 3/14/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
BBC Three is returning to UK TV screens. The channel is coming back to the air after pivoting to Ott back in 2015, the org confirmed today.
The move has been expected following hits on the platform such as Normal People and Fleabag. There was a campaign back in 2015 spearheaded by notable industry figures including Avalon’s Jon Thoday and Hat Trick’s Jimmy Mulville to reverse the BBC’s decision to put the channel online, and last year talks began about a return to linear.
The BBC’s Annual Plan 2020/21 published last year also outlined research that suggested there was public appetite for BBC Three’s programming to return to linear TV.
The broadcaster has committed to double the investment on BBC Three commissions over the next two years; it makes content aimed at the 16-34 age bracket.
The renewed channel will broadcast 7pm to 4am UK time each day.
The move has been expected following hits on the platform such as Normal People and Fleabag. There was a campaign back in 2015 spearheaded by notable industry figures including Avalon’s Jon Thoday and Hat Trick’s Jimmy Mulville to reverse the BBC’s decision to put the channel online, and last year talks began about a return to linear.
The BBC’s Annual Plan 2020/21 published last year also outlined research that suggested there was public appetite for BBC Three’s programming to return to linear TV.
The broadcaster has committed to double the investment on BBC Three commissions over the next two years; it makes content aimed at the 16-34 age bracket.
The renewed channel will broadcast 7pm to 4am UK time each day.
- 3/2/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
French In Motion Sets Up In LA
Exclusive: French In Motion, the non-profit that brings together French and American professionals from the film and TV industry is launching a chapter in Los Angeles, with Martine Melloul set to run the new office. Headquartered in New York with an existing chapter in Washington DC, the org supports international co-productions and collaborations between France and the United States through its partnership with the Gotham Film & Media Institute and has been doing so since 2016. The org is also creating an honorary board, composed of talent from the independent film and television industry whose work and influence span both sides of the Atlantic. U.S.-based French filmmakers Mathieu Demy and Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire have both joined the board alongside French In Motion’s Founder Nathalie Perus.
Msr Hire
Production outfit Msr Media has appointed Nick Royak to the newly-created role of Vice President of Development.
Exclusive: French In Motion, the non-profit that brings together French and American professionals from the film and TV industry is launching a chapter in Los Angeles, with Martine Melloul set to run the new office. Headquartered in New York with an existing chapter in Washington DC, the org supports international co-productions and collaborations between France and the United States through its partnership with the Gotham Film & Media Institute and has been doing so since 2016. The org is also creating an honorary board, composed of talent from the independent film and television industry whose work and influence span both sides of the Atlantic. U.S.-based French filmmakers Mathieu Demy and Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire have both joined the board alongside French In Motion’s Founder Nathalie Perus.
Msr Hire
Production outfit Msr Media has appointed Nick Royak to the newly-created role of Vice President of Development.
- 2/10/2021
- by Tom Grater and Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV news roundup, Peacock has made various titles from Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Network available, and HBO Max renewed “12 Dates of Christmas” for a second season.
Casting
HBO Max revealed that “Red Bird Lane” has added Crispin Glover to its cast of series regulars, while James Urbaniak, Jamie Clayton, Rya Kihlstedt, Grantham Coleman and Damon Dayoub are set to guest star. Recurring guest stars include . “Red Bird Lane” is a thriller revolving around a house in isolation. Eight different people show up to the house for various different reasons before coming to the realization that they are being met with much more than anticipated. Previously announced series regulars include Susan Sarandon, Kiersey Clemons, Isidora Goreshter, Danny Huston, Ash Santos, Fiana Dourif, Dizzie Harris and Tara Lynne Barr.
Renewals
HBO Max renewed dating reality series “12 Dates of Christmas” for Season 2. The initial season premiered this year on Nov.
Casting
HBO Max revealed that “Red Bird Lane” has added Crispin Glover to its cast of series regulars, while James Urbaniak, Jamie Clayton, Rya Kihlstedt, Grantham Coleman and Damon Dayoub are set to guest star. Recurring guest stars include . “Red Bird Lane” is a thriller revolving around a house in isolation. Eight different people show up to the house for various different reasons before coming to the realization that they are being met with much more than anticipated. Previously announced series regulars include Susan Sarandon, Kiersey Clemons, Isidora Goreshter, Danny Huston, Ash Santos, Fiana Dourif, Dizzie Harris and Tara Lynne Barr.
Renewals
HBO Max renewed dating reality series “12 Dates of Christmas” for Season 2. The initial season premiered this year on Nov.
- 12/17/2020
- by Eli Countryman
- Variety Film + TV
AMC Networks’ streaming service Acorn TV has acquired exclusive U.S. and Canadian rights to BBC One crime thriller series “Bloodlands” from Hat Trick International and executive producer Jed Mercurio.
The four-part series, written by Chris Brandon (“Red Rock”), stars James Nesbitt as a veteran detective in Northern Ireland going into his own dark past to try and solve a cold case.
“Bloodlands” will bow as an Acorn TV Original in the U.S. and Canada this fall soon after its U.K. premiere on BBC One. The series is the first commission for Hat Trick Mercurio Television (Htm), the U.K. production company co-owned by Mercurio and Hat Trick.
Don Klees, senior VP of programming, Acorn TV, said: “After Acorn TV’s success with ‘Line of Duty,’ we’re thrilled to partner with Jed Mercurio again as well as Hat Trick and talented writer Chris Brandon to bring this excellent crime thriller to U.
The four-part series, written by Chris Brandon (“Red Rock”), stars James Nesbitt as a veteran detective in Northern Ireland going into his own dark past to try and solve a cold case.
“Bloodlands” will bow as an Acorn TV Original in the U.S. and Canada this fall soon after its U.K. premiere on BBC One. The series is the first commission for Hat Trick Mercurio Television (Htm), the U.K. production company co-owned by Mercurio and Hat Trick.
Don Klees, senior VP of programming, Acorn TV, said: “After Acorn TV’s success with ‘Line of Duty,’ we’re thrilled to partner with Jed Mercurio again as well as Hat Trick and talented writer Chris Brandon to bring this excellent crime thriller to U.
- 8/26/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Jed Mercurio, creator of hit series “Line of Duty” and “Bodyguard,” will executive produce a three-part sequel to BAFTA-winning 1999 single drama “The Murder of Stephen Lawrence,” for U.K. broadcaster ITV.
Titled “Stephen,” the series will be directed by Alrick Riley (“NCIS”) and written by Frank Cottrell Boyce (“The Railway Man”) and Joe Cottrell Boyce (“Vivid”). Paul Greengrass, who directed the 1999 drama, will executive produce alongside Mercurio, Mark Redhead (“The Secret”) and Jimmy Mulville (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?”). Mercurio’s Htm will produce, with Madonna Baptise (“The Stranger”) serving as producer.
“The Murder of Stephen Lawrence” (pictured) recreated the night in April 1993 when 18-year-old student Stephen Lawrence died after being attacked by a gang of youths in south London. The narrative was as seen through the eyes of his parents, Doreen and Neville Lawrence. The sequel will portray the investigation that secures the convictions of two of the gang...
Titled “Stephen,” the series will be directed by Alrick Riley (“NCIS”) and written by Frank Cottrell Boyce (“The Railway Man”) and Joe Cottrell Boyce (“Vivid”). Paul Greengrass, who directed the 1999 drama, will executive produce alongside Mercurio, Mark Redhead (“The Secret”) and Jimmy Mulville (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?”). Mercurio’s Htm will produce, with Madonna Baptise (“The Stranger”) serving as producer.
“The Murder of Stephen Lawrence” (pictured) recreated the night in April 1993 when 18-year-old student Stephen Lawrence died after being attacked by a gang of youths in south London. The narrative was as seen through the eyes of his parents, Doreen and Neville Lawrence. The sequel will portray the investigation that secures the convictions of two of the gang...
- 7/13/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
ITV is to follow-up Paul Greengrass’ BAFTA-winning 1999 drama The Murder of Stephen Lawrence with a sequel series following the pursuit of justice for the murdered teenager.
The UK commercial broadcaster has commissioned three-part series Stephen, which will be made by Hat Trick Mercurio Television, the production outfit co-owned by Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio and Hat Trick Productions, the Jimmy Mulville-run indie behind Matt LeBlanc’s Golden Globe-winning Episodes.
Frank Cottrell Boyce (Hilary And Jackie) and Joe Cottrell Boyce (Treasure) are writing Stephen, while it will be directed by Alrick Riley (The Cops). Madonna Baptiste (The Stranger) is the producer, while Greengrass and Mark Redhead — who produced the original drama — serve as executive producers. Mulville and Mercurio are also executive producers.
With the full support of Doreen and Neville Lawrence, the story will portray events from 2006, 13 years after Stephen’s death in a racially motivated attack while he was waiting...
The UK commercial broadcaster has commissioned three-part series Stephen, which will be made by Hat Trick Mercurio Television, the production outfit co-owned by Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio and Hat Trick Productions, the Jimmy Mulville-run indie behind Matt LeBlanc’s Golden Globe-winning Episodes.
Frank Cottrell Boyce (Hilary And Jackie) and Joe Cottrell Boyce (Treasure) are writing Stephen, while it will be directed by Alrick Riley (The Cops). Madonna Baptiste (The Stranger) is the producer, while Greengrass and Mark Redhead — who produced the original drama — serve as executive producers. Mulville and Mercurio are also executive producers.
With the full support of Doreen and Neville Lawrence, the story will portray events from 2006, 13 years after Stephen’s death in a racially motivated attack while he was waiting...
- 7/13/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: ITV is developing a miniseries on Ian Paterson, the infamous British surgeon who is serving a 20-year prison sentence after performing unnecessary and body-altering operations on more than 1,000 patients over a period of 14 years.
Deadline can reveal that ITV is working on the three-part series with Hat Trick Mercurio Television, the production outfit co-owned by Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio and Hat Trick Productions, the Jimmy Mulville-run indie behind Matt LeBlanc’s Golden Globe-winning Episodes.
Hat Trick Mercurio is in the process of attaching a writer to the project, which will tell an Erin Brockovich-style story of Paterson’s atrocities through the eyes of Debbie Douglas, a woman who helped run victims’ support group Breast Friends after being left “mutilated” by the surgeon.
Douglas and her fellow Breast Friends members initially celebrated the charismatic Paterson, but ultimately turned into his most implacable opponents as they helped uncover his litany of botched operations.
Deadline can reveal that ITV is working on the three-part series with Hat Trick Mercurio Television, the production outfit co-owned by Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio and Hat Trick Productions, the Jimmy Mulville-run indie behind Matt LeBlanc’s Golden Globe-winning Episodes.
Hat Trick Mercurio is in the process of attaching a writer to the project, which will tell an Erin Brockovich-style story of Paterson’s atrocities through the eyes of Debbie Douglas, a woman who helped run victims’ support group Breast Friends after being left “mutilated” by the surgeon.
Douglas and her fellow Breast Friends members initially celebrated the charismatic Paterson, but ultimately turned into his most implacable opponents as they helped uncover his litany of botched operations.
- 6/26/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon has acquired the rights of Anna Paquin-led “Flack,” three months after it was canceled by Pop TV.
Pop TV canceled the drama, which stars Anna Paquin as a Don Draper-esque PR maven Robyn, days before it was supposed to premiere its second season. Amazon will get both seasons.
“Flack” also stars Sophie Okonedo, Lydia Wilson, Rebecca Benson, Genevieve Angelson, Rufus Jones, Arinze Kene. Other Season 2 guest stars include Jane Horrocks, Giles Terera and Amanda Abbington, reprising her role as Alexa. Season 2 also features Sam Neill and Daniel Dae Kim.
Also Read: Pop TV Cuts Three Series Including Anna Paquin's 'Flack'
“Flack” is written by Oliver Lansley, produced by Debs Pisani and executive produced by Jimmy Mulville and Helen Williams of Hat Trick Productions. Pete Thornton executive produces for UKTV with Paquin executive producing for Casm alongside Stephen Moyer, Cerise Hallam Larkin and Mark Larkin. Season...
Pop TV canceled the drama, which stars Anna Paquin as a Don Draper-esque PR maven Robyn, days before it was supposed to premiere its second season. Amazon will get both seasons.
“Flack” also stars Sophie Okonedo, Lydia Wilson, Rebecca Benson, Genevieve Angelson, Rufus Jones, Arinze Kene. Other Season 2 guest stars include Jane Horrocks, Giles Terera and Amanda Abbington, reprising her role as Alexa. Season 2 also features Sam Neill and Daniel Dae Kim.
Also Read: Pop TV Cuts Three Series Including Anna Paquin's 'Flack'
“Flack” is written by Oliver Lansley, produced by Debs Pisani and executive produced by Jimmy Mulville and Helen Williams of Hat Trick Productions. Pete Thornton executive produces for UKTV with Paquin executive producing for Casm alongside Stephen Moyer, Cerise Hallam Larkin and Mark Larkin. Season...
- 6/11/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
“Flack,” the comedy-drama starring Anna Paquin, has found a new home.
Around fourth months after Pop TV abruptly canceled the show, Amazon has swooped in to pick it up. Seasons 1 and 2 will now move to the streamer, with the option to renew for a third not out of the question. A premiere date will be announced later.
“Flack” is set in the world of high-stakes celebrity public relations. Paquin stars as Robyn, whose work and home lives collided at the end of season one, when she could no longer resist the temptations of her addictions. Season 2 stars Sophie Okonedo as Caroline, Lydia Wilson as Eve, and Rebecca Benson as Melody. Genevieve Angelson, Rufus Jones and Arinze Kene also star.
Daniel Dae Kim and Sam Neill are joining the show for its second outing. Neill, who is reuniting with his “The Piano” co-star, will have a multi-episode arc as Duncan, who...
Around fourth months after Pop TV abruptly canceled the show, Amazon has swooped in to pick it up. Seasons 1 and 2 will now move to the streamer, with the option to renew for a third not out of the question. A premiere date will be announced later.
“Flack” is set in the world of high-stakes celebrity public relations. Paquin stars as Robyn, whose work and home lives collided at the end of season one, when she could no longer resist the temptations of her addictions. Season 2 stars Sophie Okonedo as Caroline, Lydia Wilson as Eve, and Rebecca Benson as Melody. Genevieve Angelson, Rufus Jones and Arinze Kene also star.
Daniel Dae Kim and Sam Neill are joining the show for its second outing. Neill, who is reuniting with his “The Piano” co-star, will have a multi-episode arc as Duncan, who...
- 6/11/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Anna Paquin’s Flack has found a new home in the U.S. after Amazon picked up the dark comedy drama.
This comes after the series, which was created and written by Oliver Lansley, was surprisingly dropped by ViacomCBS’ Pop TV, a week before the second season was set to air. Seasons one and two will air via Amazon in the U.S. and Canada
Deadline understands that Amazon’s deal also gives it the right to consider a third season of the show, which is produced in association with British broadcaster UKTV.
Set in the world of high-stakes celebrity public relations, Flack stars True Blood’s Paquin as a master of the dark arts of PR. It is produced by Episodes producer Hat Trick Productions and Paquin and Stephen Moyer’s Casm Films.
It marks a nice turnaround for the show, a 45-minute series that sees Paquin take on an anti-hero role,...
This comes after the series, which was created and written by Oliver Lansley, was surprisingly dropped by ViacomCBS’ Pop TV, a week before the second season was set to air. Seasons one and two will air via Amazon in the U.S. and Canada
Deadline understands that Amazon’s deal also gives it the right to consider a third season of the show, which is produced in association with British broadcaster UKTV.
Set in the world of high-stakes celebrity public relations, Flack stars True Blood’s Paquin as a master of the dark arts of PR. It is produced by Episodes producer Hat Trick Productions and Paquin and Stephen Moyer’s Casm Films.
It marks a nice turnaround for the show, a 45-minute series that sees Paquin take on an anti-hero role,...
- 6/11/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jimmy Mulville, the BAFTA-winning British producer who was a ferocious opponent of the BBC’s decision to sideline BBC Three, has applauded the broadcaster for its volte-face over the youth network.
The Hat Trick Productions boss teamed up with Avalon co-executive chairman Jon Thoday in 2015 to launch an audacious and sometimes fractious bid to buy BBC Three after the BBC said it was slashing the network’s budget and moving it online. Their campaign ultimately failed and the BBC switched off BBC Three’s linear television channel in 2016.
Four years on, and the corporation has performed a screeching u-turn. In its annual plan published today, the BBC said it is doubling BBC Three’s budget from somewhere in the range of £30-40M to £60-80M ($74M-$98) — effectively reversing the funding cut it made in 2016.
The BBC also confirmed it is considering plans to restore BBC Three to television,...
The Hat Trick Productions boss teamed up with Avalon co-executive chairman Jon Thoday in 2015 to launch an audacious and sometimes fractious bid to buy BBC Three after the BBC said it was slashing the network’s budget and moving it online. Their campaign ultimately failed and the BBC switched off BBC Three’s linear television channel in 2016.
Four years on, and the corporation has performed a screeching u-turn. In its annual plan published today, the BBC said it is doubling BBC Three’s budget from somewhere in the range of £30-40M to £60-80M ($74M-$98) — effectively reversing the funding cut it made in 2016.
The BBC also confirmed it is considering plans to restore BBC Three to television,...
- 5/20/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
When a suicide note is discovered in an empty car pulled from the sea, veteran detective Tom Brannick draws a link to an infamous case about a series of mysterious disappearances whose trail went cold years before. As he wages an obsessive campaign to solve it, he becomes embroiled in an investigation that leads him deep into his own dark past and the troubled history of his country.
“Bloodlands” stars James Nesbitt in a drama that shows how the traumas of the past continue to reverberate in the present. The BBC One four-part series is the first commission for Hat Trick Mercurio Television, the production company set up by “Line of Duty” and “Bodyguard” creator Jed Mercurio along with the Jimmy Mulville-run indie Hat Trick Productions. The series was selected to take part in this week’s MipTV Drama Buyers Summit.
The central mystery in “Bloodlands” leads back to The Troubles,...
“Bloodlands” stars James Nesbitt in a drama that shows how the traumas of the past continue to reverberate in the present. The BBC One four-part series is the first commission for Hat Trick Mercurio Television, the production company set up by “Line of Duty” and “Bodyguard” creator Jed Mercurio along with the Jimmy Mulville-run indie Hat Trick Productions. The series was selected to take part in this week’s MipTV Drama Buyers Summit.
The central mystery in “Bloodlands” leads back to The Troubles,...
- 3/31/2020
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Anna Paquin’s dark comedy drama Flack may well find another home in the U.S. after it was abruptly pulled by Pop TV.
Yesterday, it emerged that the ViacomCBS-backed network was pulling three of its five original series, including Flack, Florida Girls and Best Intentions. Flack was set to launch its second season on Pop on March 13.
However, Jimmy Mulville, who runs Flack producer Hat Trick Productions, told Deadline that he was “confident” of finding a new Stateside home for the series, which is co-produced by Paquin and Stephen Moyer’s Casm Films. A co-production with British broadcaster UKTV, it will still air on UKTV’s W network in March.
“It’s sad to end the show on Pop, the first season did well for them and UKTV,” said Mulville. “I’m confident that we’ll be able to find another home for the show. There’s no shortage of platforms.
Yesterday, it emerged that the ViacomCBS-backed network was pulling three of its five original series, including Flack, Florida Girls and Best Intentions. Flack was set to launch its second season on Pop on March 13.
However, Jimmy Mulville, who runs Flack producer Hat Trick Productions, told Deadline that he was “confident” of finding a new Stateside home for the series, which is co-produced by Paquin and Stephen Moyer’s Casm Films. A co-production with British broadcaster UKTV, it will still air on UKTV’s W network in March.
“It’s sad to end the show on Pop, the first season did well for them and UKTV,” said Mulville. “I’m confident that we’ll be able to find another home for the show. There’s no shortage of platforms.
- 3/5/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Line of Duty and This Is England star Vicky McClure is to front a bomb squad drama for ITV, produced by Htm Television, the production company set up by Line of Duty and Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio.
Trigger Point is a six-part thriller, written by new writer Daniel Brierley, that follows counter terrorism policing and the terrifying work of the Metropolitan Police Bomb Disposal Squad.
Set in London, Trigger Point, follows the ‘expo’ officers, who risk their lives daily on the long walk towards danger. Death is always just a heartbeat away.
McClure, who also starred in Broadchurch, plays front line officer Lana Washington, who is an experienced bomb disposal operative. Reckless and out of control, Lana is ex-military and pushed to breaking point dealing with a series of improvised explosive devices which threaten the capital during a terrorist summer campaign. Under extreme pressure and searching for answers, Lana...
Trigger Point is a six-part thriller, written by new writer Daniel Brierley, that follows counter terrorism policing and the terrifying work of the Metropolitan Police Bomb Disposal Squad.
Set in London, Trigger Point, follows the ‘expo’ officers, who risk their lives daily on the long walk towards danger. Death is always just a heartbeat away.
McClure, who also starred in Broadchurch, plays front line officer Lana Washington, who is an experienced bomb disposal operative. Reckless and out of control, Lana is ex-military and pushed to breaking point dealing with a series of improvised explosive devices which threaten the capital during a terrorist summer campaign. Under extreme pressure and searching for answers, Lana...
- 2/20/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
“One Day at a Time” Season 4 will premiere Mar. 24, while “Flack” Season 2 will premiere Mar. 13, Pop TV announced Monday.
The new season of “One Day at a Time” will be the first to air on the ViacomCBS network after it picked the show up post-Netflix cancellation.
“The enthusiastic response from fans since announcing our new season of ‘One Day at a Time’ has been thrilling,” said Brad Schwartz, president, Pop TV. “The series is more important than ever with its unmatched ability to tackle topical social issues through the lens of a relatable, loving family. The exceptionally talented team behind and in front of the camera make us proud to have ‘One Day at a Time’ at home at Pop TV.”
This fourth season will air in the Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. time slot beginning Mar. 24, but it will move to 9 p.m. on April 14, after “Schitt’s Creek” concludes its final season.
The new season of “One Day at a Time” will be the first to air on the ViacomCBS network after it picked the show up post-Netflix cancellation.
“The enthusiastic response from fans since announcing our new season of ‘One Day at a Time’ has been thrilling,” said Brad Schwartz, president, Pop TV. “The series is more important than ever with its unmatched ability to tackle topical social issues through the lens of a relatable, loving family. The exceptionally talented team behind and in front of the camera make us proud to have ‘One Day at a Time’ at home at Pop TV.”
This fourth season will air in the Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. time slot beginning Mar. 24, but it will move to 9 p.m. on April 14, after “Schitt’s Creek” concludes its final season.
- 1/14/2020
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
Pop TV has set 10 p.m. Friday, March 13, for the Season 2 return of dark comedy Flack, starring Anna Paquin. The premiere date was announced Monday during the network’s presentation at TCA.
The six-episode second season also features new cast members Sam Neill, Daniel Dae Kim and guest star Martha Plimpton. Executive producer Stephen Moyer will direct two of the season’s episodes. The entire second season will be available on app Pop Now and via cable and Svpd after the first episode airs on the network.
Season 2 picks up with Robyn (Paquin) putting her life back together after her myriad addictions got the better of her at the end of Season 1. Focusing on rebuilding her relationship with her sister and keeping her clients out of the headlines, she must also face a new and unexpected revelation head-on. Meanwhile, her boss Caroline (Sophie Okonedo) is surprised to see her ex (Neill) return,...
The six-episode second season also features new cast members Sam Neill, Daniel Dae Kim and guest star Martha Plimpton. Executive producer Stephen Moyer will direct two of the season’s episodes. The entire second season will be available on app Pop Now and via cable and Svpd after the first episode airs on the network.
Season 2 picks up with Robyn (Paquin) putting her life back together after her myriad addictions got the better of her at the end of Season 1. Focusing on rebuilding her relationship with her sister and keeping her clients out of the headlines, she must also face a new and unexpected revelation head-on. Meanwhile, her boss Caroline (Sophie Okonedo) is surprised to see her ex (Neill) return,...
- 1/13/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV has commissioned a Robbie Williams Christmas show from Episodes and Derry Girls producer Hat Trick Productions and its new entertainment joint-venture Livewire Pictures.
It’s Not The Robbie Williams Christmas Show will feature the popstar performing his hits and festive songs at the newly restored Alexandra Palace Theatre, where he will be joined by special guests.
Livewire was set up last year as a partnership between Hat Trick, talent agent Anita Land and former BBC Studios executive Guy Freeman. It has previously made Ariana Grande At the BBC.
It’s Not The Robbie Williams Christmas Show will be executive produced by Mark Burton, Anouk Fontaine, Freeman and Jimmy Mulville. It was commissioned by ITV entertainment head Katie Rawcliffe and commissioner Joe Mace.
Mulville said: “Robbie is without a doubt one of the greatest entertainers of the age. To watch him connect with his audience is a sheer pleasure.”...
It’s Not The Robbie Williams Christmas Show will feature the popstar performing his hits and festive songs at the newly restored Alexandra Palace Theatre, where he will be joined by special guests.
Livewire was set up last year as a partnership between Hat Trick, talent agent Anita Land and former BBC Studios executive Guy Freeman. It has previously made Ariana Grande At the BBC.
It’s Not The Robbie Williams Christmas Show will be executive produced by Mark Burton, Anouk Fontaine, Freeman and Jimmy Mulville. It was commissioned by ITV entertainment head Katie Rawcliffe and commissioner Joe Mace.
Mulville said: “Robbie is without a doubt one of the greatest entertainers of the age. To watch him connect with his audience is a sheer pleasure.”...
- 11/8/2019
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
James Nesbitt has been cast as the lead in new BBC One detective drama Bloodlands, which represents the first commission for Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio’s production company.
Dubbed an “Irish noir,” Nesbitt will play Northern Irish police detective Tom Brannick who connects a suicide note with an infamous cold case with enormous personal significance. The discovery sparks an explosive hunt for a legendary assassin.
Bloodlands is written by newcomer Chris Brandon, who has only penned a handful of episodes of TV3’s Irish police drama Red Rock, and is Hat Trick Mercurio Television’s debut commission.
Hmt Television was set up in 2015 and is co-owned by Mercurio and Hat Trick Productions, the Jimmy Mulville-run indie behind shows including Have I Got News For You and Matt LeBlanc’s Golden Globe-winning Episodes.
Mercurio, Mulville and Mark Redhead are the executive producers for Htm, while Tommy Bulfin will executive produce for the BBC.
Dubbed an “Irish noir,” Nesbitt will play Northern Irish police detective Tom Brannick who connects a suicide note with an infamous cold case with enormous personal significance. The discovery sparks an explosive hunt for a legendary assassin.
Bloodlands is written by newcomer Chris Brandon, who has only penned a handful of episodes of TV3’s Irish police drama Red Rock, and is Hat Trick Mercurio Television’s debut commission.
Hmt Television was set up in 2015 and is co-owned by Mercurio and Hat Trick Productions, the Jimmy Mulville-run indie behind shows including Have I Got News For You and Matt LeBlanc’s Golden Globe-winning Episodes.
Mercurio, Mulville and Mark Redhead are the executive producers for Htm, while Tommy Bulfin will executive produce for the BBC.
- 11/6/2019
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
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