His House and “Lovecraft Country” star Wunmi Mosaku finds herself an outsider in upcoming crime mystery series “Passenger” that’s heading to BritBox this October. A brand new teaser trailer unveiled today highlights an unsettling atmosphere in the not-so-quaint, snowy town that’s haunted by crime.
The upcoming six-part series hails from creator Andrew Buchan, marking the actor’s screenwriting debut.
The series “explores a close-knit community who are unwilling to face their fears of change, of outsiders and of the unknown. Set in the fictional small Northern town of Chadder Vale, Former Met Police Detective Riya Ajunwa (Wunmi Mosaku) investigates a series of strange and inexplicable crimes that have the townsfolk spinning on an axis. Riya arrived in decaying Chadder Vale five years ago and has since been searching for that ‘one big crime’, the challenge that will make her feel alive again. Then one night local girl Katie Wells (Rowan Robinson) mysteriously disappears.
The upcoming six-part series hails from creator Andrew Buchan, marking the actor’s screenwriting debut.
The series “explores a close-knit community who are unwilling to face their fears of change, of outsiders and of the unknown. Set in the fictional small Northern town of Chadder Vale, Former Met Police Detective Riya Ajunwa (Wunmi Mosaku) investigates a series of strange and inexplicable crimes that have the townsfolk spinning on an axis. Riya arrived in decaying Chadder Vale five years ago and has since been searching for that ‘one big crime’, the challenge that will make her feel alive again. Then one night local girl Katie Wells (Rowan Robinson) mysteriously disappears.
- 5/21/2024
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Robert Schildhouse will serve in an expanded role at streamer BritBox International following the departure of global CEO Reemah Sakaan.
Schildhouse, who previously had stints with Hulu and CBS, joined the streamer in 2022, with his most recent position being general manager, North America, and group editorial for BritBox International, where he was instrumental in driving the service’s business growth in the U.S. and Canada.
From April 1, Schildhouse will serve in the expanded role of president of BritBox North America, and general manager of BritBox International, based in New York. Kerry Ball will continue in her role as chief commercial and strategy officer, based in London. Schildhouse and Ball will now both report to Rebecca Glashow, CEO, BBC Global Media and Streaming. Schildhouse will assume responsibility for product/technology and marketing, in addition to editorial.
The moves have happened after BBC Studios bought British broadcaster ITV‘s 50% stake in...
Schildhouse, who previously had stints with Hulu and CBS, joined the streamer in 2022, with his most recent position being general manager, North America, and group editorial for BritBox International, where he was instrumental in driving the service’s business growth in the U.S. and Canada.
From April 1, Schildhouse will serve in the expanded role of president of BritBox North America, and general manager of BritBox International, based in New York. Kerry Ball will continue in her role as chief commercial and strategy officer, based in London. Schildhouse and Ball will now both report to Rebecca Glashow, CEO, BBC Global Media and Streaming. Schildhouse will assume responsibility for product/technology and marketing, in addition to editorial.
The moves have happened after BBC Studios bought British broadcaster ITV‘s 50% stake in...
- 3/18/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
BritBox International has its new leader following BBC Studios’ takeover of the streamer.
Robert Schildhouse has been promoted to President of BritBox North America and General Manager of BritBox International following the deal, which saw the BBC’s commercial arm pay £255M ($325M) to buy ITV’s 50% stake in the best-of-British streamer and assume full control.
As part of the deal, it was announced current BritBox International Reemah Sakaan would be exiting.
The New York-based Schildhouse is upped from Gm of BritBox North America and Group Editorial for BritBox International, leading the operation in the U.S. and Canada and global content and editorial. In his new role, he will also assume responsibility for product, technology and marketing.
Before joining BritBox, he held roles at CBS, where he struck content deals, and was part of the Hulu launch team.
Kerry Ball will remain as BritBox International’s Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer,...
Robert Schildhouse has been promoted to President of BritBox North America and General Manager of BritBox International following the deal, which saw the BBC’s commercial arm pay £255M ($325M) to buy ITV’s 50% stake in the best-of-British streamer and assume full control.
As part of the deal, it was announced current BritBox International Reemah Sakaan would be exiting.
The New York-based Schildhouse is upped from Gm of BritBox North America and Group Editorial for BritBox International, leading the operation in the U.S. and Canada and global content and editorial. In his new role, he will also assume responsibility for product, technology and marketing.
Before joining BritBox, he held roles at CBS, where he struck content deals, and was part of the Hulu launch team.
Kerry Ball will remain as BritBox International’s Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer,...
- 3/18/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Jesse Whittock with you in London, where the TV world has decamped this week for a series of screenings. Read on, and sign up for the newsletter here.
Unpacking The BritBox Deal & London TV Screenings
Beeb bags BritBox: As we expected, the big news in international entertainment came out of London this week. However, while we were assuming the biggest deal would be a program package emerging from the London TV Screenings (more on that below), BBC Studios and ITV surprised everyone this morning with some tasty M&a. A regulatory statement to the London Stock Exchange revealed the BBC’s commercial arm had paid £255M ($322M) to acquire ITV’s 50% shareholding in their joint venture, best-of-British streamer BritBox International. This, we hear, is the biggest single transaction in BBC Studios’ history and marks a new direction for the seven-year old streamer, which is profitable and has...
Unpacking The BritBox Deal & London TV Screenings
Beeb bags BritBox: As we expected, the big news in international entertainment came out of London this week. However, while we were assuming the biggest deal would be a program package emerging from the London TV Screenings (more on that below), BBC Studios and ITV surprised everyone this morning with some tasty M&a. A regulatory statement to the London Stock Exchange revealed the BBC’s commercial arm had paid £255M ($322M) to acquire ITV’s 50% shareholding in their joint venture, best-of-British streamer BritBox International. This, we hear, is the biggest single transaction in BBC Studios’ history and marks a new direction for the seven-year old streamer, which is profitable and has...
- 3/1/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
BBC Studios has bought out ITV’s 50% interest in streamer BritBox International in a deal worth £255m.
The landmark move gives BBC Studios sole ownership of the previously joint venture platform, which has a subscriber base of around 3.8m across the various territories it operates.
After the transaction has completed it will provide net proceeds including loan repayments and accrued dividends of around £235m after tax to ITV.
BBC Studios will move BritBox International into its global media and streaming division to sit alongside other direct-to-consumer propositions including factual streamer BBC Select. The move will see current global chief executive Reemah Sakaan exiting the company.
The landmark move gives BBC Studios sole ownership of the previously joint venture platform, which has a subscriber base of around 3.8m across the various territories it operates.
After the transaction has completed it will provide net proceeds including loan repayments and accrued dividends of around £235m after tax to ITV.
BBC Studios will move BritBox International into its global media and streaming division to sit alongside other direct-to-consumer propositions including factual streamer BBC Select. The move will see current global chief executive Reemah Sakaan exiting the company.
- 3/1/2024
- ScreenDaily
Britbox offers a wide variety of shows from the BBC, ITV and other content partners. (Courtesy image)
The British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) commercial arm BBC Studios is buying out peer broadcaster ITV’s stake in their streaming-focused joint venture Britbox International, the companies confirmed on Friday.
The announcement was made in a regulatory filing that affirmed BBC Studios will spend £225 million (around $321 million) to acquire ITV’s 50 percent stake in Britbox, giving BBC Studios full control of the streaming service.
As part of the deal, BritBox International CEO Reemah Sakaan will leave the company in the near future, with a new executive leadership team expected to be announced by the BBC in the coming days. She will remain with Britbox through the transitional period, the BBC said.
The deal values Britbox International at just north of £500 million (around $631 million).
“This is an important acquisition for us,” Tom Fussell, the CEO of BBC Studios,...
The British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) commercial arm BBC Studios is buying out peer broadcaster ITV’s stake in their streaming-focused joint venture Britbox International, the companies confirmed on Friday.
The announcement was made in a regulatory filing that affirmed BBC Studios will spend £225 million (around $321 million) to acquire ITV’s 50 percent stake in Britbox, giving BBC Studios full control of the streaming service.
As part of the deal, BritBox International CEO Reemah Sakaan will leave the company in the near future, with a new executive leadership team expected to be announced by the BBC in the coming days. She will remain with Britbox through the transitional period, the BBC said.
The deal values Britbox International at just north of £500 million (around $631 million).
“This is an important acquisition for us,” Tom Fussell, the CEO of BBC Studios,...
- 3/1/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
BBC Studios has bought British broadcaster ITV’s 50% stake in streamer BritBox International for £255 million ($322 million), the companies revealed on Friday.
The streamer was founded in 2017 as a joint venture between BBC Studios, which is the commercial arm of the British broadcaster, and ITV. “The transaction will provide net proceeds including loan repayments and accrued dividends and after tax of around £235 million,” the companies said.
“The sale reflects ITV’s strategy of focusing on supercharging its U.K. advertiser-funded streaming service, Itvx and growing its global Studios division,” ITV added. “The board intends to return the entire net sale proceeds to shareholders through a share buyback which it expects to launch imminently after the full-year results on March 7.”
Under the terms of the agreement, ITV Studios will continue to receive an ongoing revenue stream from BritBox International similar to current levels for the use of ITV content under new extended licensing agreements.
The streamer was founded in 2017 as a joint venture between BBC Studios, which is the commercial arm of the British broadcaster, and ITV. “The transaction will provide net proceeds including loan repayments and accrued dividends and after tax of around £235 million,” the companies said.
“The sale reflects ITV’s strategy of focusing on supercharging its U.K. advertiser-funded streaming service, Itvx and growing its global Studios division,” ITV added. “The board intends to return the entire net sale proceeds to shareholders through a share buyback which it expects to launch imminently after the full-year results on March 7.”
Under the terms of the agreement, ITV Studios will continue to receive an ongoing revenue stream from BritBox International similar to current levels for the use of ITV content under new extended licensing agreements.
- 3/1/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
BBC Studios has paid £255M ($321M) to acquire ITV’s shareholding in their joint venture streamer, BritBox International.
In a regulatory note confirming the sale this morning, ITV confirmed it had sold its 50%, with the proceeds set to return to shareholders through a share buyback scheme that will launch after full-year results are posted on March 7.
BritBox CEO Reman Sakaan will exit the business, which will join the BBC Studios Global Media & Streaming division alongside the likes of BBC.com, BBC Select and BBC Podcast Premium. The BBC said new leaderships plans are “in place to ensure a smooth transition” and will be announced “imminently.”
The deal values BritBox International, which has nearly four million subscribers in eight territories, at over £500M. However, ITV is focusing on growth of its own streamer, Itvx, and its global ITV Studios division will redirect efforts in that direction following the deal.
ITV Studios,...
In a regulatory note confirming the sale this morning, ITV confirmed it had sold its 50%, with the proceeds set to return to shareholders through a share buyback scheme that will launch after full-year results are posted on March 7.
BritBox CEO Reman Sakaan will exit the business, which will join the BBC Studios Global Media & Streaming division alongside the likes of BBC.com, BBC Select and BBC Podcast Premium. The BBC said new leaderships plans are “in place to ensure a smooth transition” and will be announced “imminently.”
The deal values BritBox International, which has nearly four million subscribers in eight territories, at over £500M. However, ITV is focusing on growth of its own streamer, Itvx, and its global ITV Studios division will redirect efforts in that direction following the deal.
ITV Studios,...
- 3/1/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
BritBox has inked a new deal with BAFTA to stream a simulcast of the BAFTA Film Awards through 2025.
This year the awards will be held in London on Feb. 18 with David Tennant hosting. Nominees include “Oppenheimer,” “Poor Things” and “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
For the first time the “best of British” streamer will also simulcast the BAFTA Television Awards, which will be held on May 12. Nominations will be announced in due course.
In the U.K. both ceremonies are broadcast on the BBC with a two-hour delay, although the final four film awards were broadcast live last year for the first time.
The new deal will enable BritBox subscribers in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway to watch the awards shows at the same time they are broadcast in the U.K. It will also mark the first time the BAFTA Television Awards have...
This year the awards will be held in London on Feb. 18 with David Tennant hosting. Nominees include “Oppenheimer,” “Poor Things” and “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
For the first time the “best of British” streamer will also simulcast the BAFTA Television Awards, which will be held on May 12. Nominations will be announced in due course.
In the U.K. both ceremonies are broadcast on the BBC with a two-hour delay, although the final four film awards were broadcast live last year for the first time.
The new deal will enable BritBox subscribers in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway to watch the awards shows at the same time they are broadcast in the U.K. It will also mark the first time the BAFTA Television Awards have...
- 2/8/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The BBC is keeping its Agatha Christie tradition alive by setting Towards Zero as its next adaptation of the great author’s work.
Following on from 2023’s limited series Murder Is Easy, the BBC has commissioned Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited to reimagine the writer’s 1944 novel.
Towards Zero unfolds around the murder of an elderly widow at a clifftop seaside house, linking a failed suicide attempt, a schoolgirl wrongfully accused of theft, and the romantic life of a famous tennis player.
The book will be adapted by Rachel Bennette, the writer behind BAFTA-nominated Zadie Smith adaptation Nw. She has also written on World on Fire and Ripper Street.
Towards Zero will go into production over the summer. The series is co-produced by BritBox International, while Fifth Season will handle international distribution.
Executive producers are James Prichard for Agatha Christie Limited; Damien Timmer and Sheena Bucktowonsing for Mammoth Screen; Rachel Bennette,...
Following on from 2023’s limited series Murder Is Easy, the BBC has commissioned Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited to reimagine the writer’s 1944 novel.
Towards Zero unfolds around the murder of an elderly widow at a clifftop seaside house, linking a failed suicide attempt, a schoolgirl wrongfully accused of theft, and the romantic life of a famous tennis player.
The book will be adapted by Rachel Bennette, the writer behind BAFTA-nominated Zadie Smith adaptation Nw. She has also written on World on Fire and Ripper Street.
Towards Zero will go into production over the summer. The series is co-produced by BritBox International, while Fifth Season will handle international distribution.
Executive producers are James Prichard for Agatha Christie Limited; Damien Timmer and Sheena Bucktowonsing for Mammoth Screen; Rachel Bennette,...
- 2/6/2024
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Tubi Hires Endeavor Exec For International Expansion
U.S. AVoD firm Tubi has hired David Salmon to become its Executive VP and Managing Director for International. The UK-based exec will report into Tubi CEO Anjali Sud. He’ll work on building out the business around the world, looking to capitalize on advertiser-funded growth in the streaming world. Salmon has spent more than a decade at Endeavor, where he was the founder and Cto of Endeavor Streaming, the agency’s video tech group. Tubi is currently available in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, Panama, Australia and New Zealand, and will be pushing into the UK and further into Latin America under Salmon’s guidance. “Tubi has an industry-leading position in the U.S. and we’re looking to replicate that success across international markets,” he said.
BritBox Bags Drama & Nears 3.5M Subs
Best of British...
U.S. AVoD firm Tubi has hired David Salmon to become its Executive VP and Managing Director for International. The UK-based exec will report into Tubi CEO Anjali Sud. He’ll work on building out the business around the world, looking to capitalize on advertiser-funded growth in the streaming world. Salmon has spent more than a decade at Endeavor, where he was the founder and Cto of Endeavor Streaming, the agency’s video tech group. Tubi is currently available in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, Panama, Australia and New Zealand, and will be pushing into the UK and further into Latin America under Salmon’s guidance. “Tubi has an industry-leading position in the U.S. and we’re looking to replicate that success across international markets,” he said.
BritBox Bags Drama & Nears 3.5M Subs
Best of British...
- 12/1/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
As the streaming landscape continues to readjust after a turbulent few years, some platforms are riding the wave more comfortably than others. A case in point is SVOD service BritBox International, which was founded in 2017 as a joint venture by U.K. broadcasters ITV and BBC.
Available in eight markets outside the U.K. including the U.S., Canada and Australia, BritBox offers a uniquely specific output: namely, British content for international audiences. (A sister service with the same name operated solely by ITV is available in the U.K.).
In terms of genre, there’s everything from drama to soaps plus crime, comedy and what BritBox CEO Reemah Sakaan calls “British pastimes,” meaning shows about things like antiques and gardening. The streamer also boasts its own original content, such as upcoming Cary Grant biopic “Archie,” which stars Jason Isaacs (“Harry Potter”) as the Hollywood legend.
“You look for real British specificity in the storytelling,...
Available in eight markets outside the U.K. including the U.S., Canada and Australia, BritBox offers a uniquely specific output: namely, British content for international audiences. (A sister service with the same name operated solely by ITV is available in the U.K.).
In terms of genre, there’s everything from drama to soaps plus crime, comedy and what BritBox CEO Reemah Sakaan calls “British pastimes,” meaning shows about things like antiques and gardening. The streamer also boasts its own original content, such as upcoming Cary Grant biopic “Archie,” which stars Jason Isaacs (“Harry Potter”) as the Hollywood legend.
“You look for real British specificity in the storytelling,...
- 11/30/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Dominic Cooper, Tamsin Greig and Eddie Marsan are among the names joining Anne-Marie Duff on season 2 of Channel 4 and BritBox International drama series Suspect.
Filming on the drama’s second run is underway, with Vinette Robinson (Boiling Point, The Lazarus Project), Celine Buckens (Showtrial, The Ex-Wife), Nicholas Pinnock (Top Boy, For Life) and Gina McKee (Bodyguard, Our Friends in the North) joining Cooper (Preacher, Mamma Mia!), Greig (Friday Night Dinner, Belgravia) and Marsan.
Duff stars in the series as Dr Susannah Newman. In the eight-part series, she is on a desperate quest to track down a self-confessed serial killer before he kills again that night. When a mysterious new client Jon (Cooper) admits under hypnosis that he is a murderer and intends on killing another young female that evening, Susannah knows he must be stopped at all costs.
Filming on the drama’s second run is underway, with Vinette Robinson (Boiling Point, The Lazarus Project), Celine Buckens (Showtrial, The Ex-Wife), Nicholas Pinnock (Top Boy, For Life) and Gina McKee (Bodyguard, Our Friends in the North) joining Cooper (Preacher, Mamma Mia!), Greig (Friday Night Dinner, Belgravia) and Marsan.
Duff stars in the series as Dr Susannah Newman. In the eight-part series, she is on a desperate quest to track down a self-confessed serial killer before he kills again that night. When a mysterious new client Jon (Cooper) admits under hypnosis that he is a murderer and intends on killing another young female that evening, Susannah knows he must be stopped at all costs.
- 11/15/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
“Mamma Mia!” star Dominic Cooper has joined the second season of U.K. police drama “Suspect.”
Fronted by Anne-Marie Duff (“Bad Sisters”), “Suspect” tells the story of bereaved psychotherapist Dr Susannah Newman (Duff) as she tries to track down a serial killer before he strikes again. The Channel 4 show is an adaptation of Danish series Forhøret (“Face to Face”) created by Christoffer Boe.
Cooper joins as a mysterious new client, Jon Fallow, who claims under hypnosis to be a murderer. When he reveals his plan to kill again, Susannah knows he must be stopped. Before the police arrive Jon escapes and Susannah sets out on a deadly mission to save his next victim’s life.
“I’m so pleased to be returning to ‘Suspect’ to be able to dig deeper into the character of Dr Susannah Newman,” said Duff. “Expect lots of twists, turns and revelations alongside more questions to be answered.
Fronted by Anne-Marie Duff (“Bad Sisters”), “Suspect” tells the story of bereaved psychotherapist Dr Susannah Newman (Duff) as she tries to track down a serial killer before he strikes again. The Channel 4 show is an adaptation of Danish series Forhøret (“Face to Face”) created by Christoffer Boe.
Cooper joins as a mysterious new client, Jon Fallow, who claims under hypnosis to be a murderer. When he reveals his plan to kill again, Susannah knows he must be stopped. Before the police arrive Jon escapes and Susannah sets out on a deadly mission to save his next victim’s life.
“I’m so pleased to be returning to ‘Suspect’ to be able to dig deeper into the character of Dr Susannah Newman,” said Duff. “Expect lots of twists, turns and revelations alongside more questions to be answered.
- 11/15/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: BritBox International is stacking the shelves with more high-profile UK drama series.
The streamer has acquired North American rights to The Sixth Commandment and U.S. rights to This England. Both series, which are based on real events, have made significant noise in the UK and their acquisition follow on from BritBox’s July captures of cop series Granite Harbour and psychological drama The Ex-Wife.
The Sixth Commandment will play as a BritBox Original. The series, written by Sarah Phelps and directed by Saul Dibb (The Salisbury Poisonings), is inspired by the BAFTA-nominated documentary Catching A Killer: A Diary From the Grave.
It follows one of the most complex criminal cases in recent British history and tells the story of inspirational teacher Peter Farquhar (Timothy Spall), and charismatic young student Ben Field (Éanna Hardwicke), who meet and bond over their love of...
The streamer has acquired North American rights to The Sixth Commandment and U.S. rights to This England. Both series, which are based on real events, have made significant noise in the UK and their acquisition follow on from BritBox’s July captures of cop series Granite Harbour and psychological drama The Ex-Wife.
The Sixth Commandment will play as a BritBox Original. The series, written by Sarah Phelps and directed by Saul Dibb (The Salisbury Poisonings), is inspired by the BAFTA-nominated documentary Catching A Killer: A Diary From the Grave.
It follows one of the most complex criminal cases in recent British history and tells the story of inspirational teacher Peter Farquhar (Timothy Spall), and charismatic young student Ben Field (Éanna Hardwicke), who meet and bond over their love of...
- 8/22/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
“Avoidance,” featuring BAFTA-winning British comedian Romesh Ranganathan, will premiere on BritBox International in North America and South Africa in September.
Created and written by Ranganathan and Benjamin Green (“Romantic Getaway”) and starring Ranganathan, the series follows anti-hero Jonathan who is struggling to get back on his feet after breaking up with partner Claire. After Claire has accused him of being impossible to live with and keen to avoid conflict at all costs, Jonathan moves in with his sister and her wife. For the sake of his nine-year-old son, Spencer, Jonathan starts to rebuild his life and pull himself together.
The series will premiere Sept. 20. “Avoidance” is also available on BritBox in Australia.
BritBox will also debut Season 2 of “The Curse” on September 6. Set 18 months after the first season, which saw the show’s cast accidentally pull off the biggest gold heist in history, this time the action moves to Spain...
Created and written by Ranganathan and Benjamin Green (“Romantic Getaway”) and starring Ranganathan, the series follows anti-hero Jonathan who is struggling to get back on his feet after breaking up with partner Claire. After Claire has accused him of being impossible to live with and keen to avoid conflict at all costs, Jonathan moves in with his sister and her wife. For the sake of his nine-year-old son, Spencer, Jonathan starts to rebuild his life and pull himself together.
The series will premiere Sept. 20. “Avoidance” is also available on BritBox in Australia.
BritBox will also debut Season 2 of “The Curse” on September 6. Set 18 months after the first season, which saw the show’s cast accidentally pull off the biggest gold heist in history, this time the action moves to Spain...
- 8/7/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Filming has begun and the cast has been revealed for Agatha Christie novel adaptation “Murder Is Easy.”
Based on Christie’s 1939 novel, the two-part thriller is adapted by Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre and directed by Meenu Gaur (“World on Fire”).
The cast includes David Jonsson, Morfydd Clark, Penelope Wilton (“Downton Abbey”), Sinead Matthews (“The Crown”), Tom Riley (“The Nevers”), Douglas Henshall (“Shetland”), Mathew Baynton (“Ghosts”), Mark Bonnar (“World on Fire”), Nimra Bucha (“Ms Marvel”), Tamzin Outhwaite (“The Tower”), Jon Pointing (“Big Boys”) and Phoebe Licorish in her screen debut.
The story is set in 1954 England. On a train to London, Fitzwilliam (Jonsson) meets Miss Pinkerton (Wilton), who tells him that a killer is on the loose in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe. The villagers believe the deaths are accidents, but Miss Pinkerton knows otherwise — and when she’s later found dead on her way to Scotland Yard, Fitzwilliam...
Based on Christie’s 1939 novel, the two-part thriller is adapted by Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre and directed by Meenu Gaur (“World on Fire”).
The cast includes David Jonsson, Morfydd Clark, Penelope Wilton (“Downton Abbey”), Sinead Matthews (“The Crown”), Tom Riley (“The Nevers”), Douglas Henshall (“Shetland”), Mathew Baynton (“Ghosts”), Mark Bonnar (“World on Fire”), Nimra Bucha (“Ms Marvel”), Tamzin Outhwaite (“The Tower”), Jon Pointing (“Big Boys”) and Phoebe Licorish in her screen debut.
The story is set in 1954 England. On a train to London, Fitzwilliam (Jonsson) meets Miss Pinkerton (Wilton), who tells him that a killer is on the loose in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe. The villagers believe the deaths are accidents, but Miss Pinkerton knows otherwise — and when she’s later found dead on her way to Scotland Yard, Fitzwilliam...
- 7/10/2023
- by K.J. Yossman and Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Industry and Rye Lane star David Jonsson, Lord of the Rings lead Morfydd Clark and Downton Abbey‘s Penelope Wilton are among the cast of BBC and Britbox International’s latest Agatha Christie adaptation, Murder is Easy.
Filming is now underway in Scotland, with Jonsson playing lead character Fitzwilliam. On a train in 1954 England, he meets Miss Pinkerton (Wilton), who tells him a killer is on the loose in the sleepy village of Wychwood under Ashe. Though the locals believes the deaths are accidents, Miss Pinkerton knows better and is soon found dead on her way to Scotland Yard. Fitzwilliams is convinced he has to find the killer before they strike again.
Clark will play Bridget, Sinead Matthews (Hullraisers, The Crown) is Miss Waynflete, Tom Riley (The Nevers, Ill Behaviour) is Lord Whitfield, Douglas Henshall (Shetland, In Plain Sight) plays Major Horton, Mathew Baynton (Ghosts, Wonka) portrays Dr Thomas, Mark Bonnar (World on Fire,...
Filming is now underway in Scotland, with Jonsson playing lead character Fitzwilliam. On a train in 1954 England, he meets Miss Pinkerton (Wilton), who tells him a killer is on the loose in the sleepy village of Wychwood under Ashe. Though the locals believes the deaths are accidents, Miss Pinkerton knows better and is soon found dead on her way to Scotland Yard. Fitzwilliams is convinced he has to find the killer before they strike again.
Clark will play Bridget, Sinead Matthews (Hullraisers, The Crown) is Miss Waynflete, Tom Riley (The Nevers, Ill Behaviour) is Lord Whitfield, Douglas Henshall (Shetland, In Plain Sight) plays Major Horton, Mathew Baynton (Ghosts, Wonka) portrays Dr Thomas, Mark Bonnar (World on Fire,...
- 7/10/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance and Bella Ramsey don prison-issue tracksuits in the first image from their upcoming series “Time.”
“Doctor Who” star Whittaker, Lawrance (“The Silent Twins”) and Ramsey (“The Last of Us”) star as three inmates in a women’s prison in the U.K. in a follow-up to the Sean Bean series of the same name.
Jimmy McGovern returns to pen the second anthology-style season of the show with some actors from the series’ first outing – including Siobhan Finneran as prison chaplain Marie-Louise – reprising their roles. Helen Black co-writes while Andrea Harkin directs.
Also joining the cast are Sophie Willan (“Alma’s Not Normal”), Julie Graham (“Shetland”), Alicia Forde (“Waterloo Road”), Lisa Millett (“The A Word”), Kayla Meikle (“The Capture”), James Corrigan (“This Is Going to Hurt”), Nicholas Nunn (“Clique”) and Maimuna Memon (“Sherwood”).
Set in the fictional, high-security prison Carlingford, Kelsey (Ramsey), Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance) arrive...
“Doctor Who” star Whittaker, Lawrance (“The Silent Twins”) and Ramsey (“The Last of Us”) star as three inmates in a women’s prison in the U.K. in a follow-up to the Sean Bean series of the same name.
Jimmy McGovern returns to pen the second anthology-style season of the show with some actors from the series’ first outing – including Siobhan Finneran as prison chaplain Marie-Louise – reprising their roles. Helen Black co-writes while Andrea Harkin directs.
Also joining the cast are Sophie Willan (“Alma’s Not Normal”), Julie Graham (“Shetland”), Alicia Forde (“Waterloo Road”), Lisa Millett (“The A Word”), Kayla Meikle (“The Capture”), James Corrigan (“This Is Going to Hurt”), Nicholas Nunn (“Clique”) and Maimuna Memon (“Sherwood”).
Set in the fictional, high-security prison Carlingford, Kelsey (Ramsey), Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance) arrive...
- 6/13/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Bella Ramsey-starring BBC prison drama Time has added BritBox North America as co-producer and revealed more cast plus first-look image (above).
BritBox also co-produced Season 1 of the heartwrenching show, which starred Sean Bean and Stephen Graham and won two BAFTAs in 2022.
Joining The Last of Us star Ramsey, Tamara Lawrance and former Time Lord Jodie Whittaker are BAFTA-award winner Sophie Willan, Julie Graham (Shetland), Alicia Forde (Waterloo Road), Lisa Millett (The A Word), Faye McKeever (The Responder), Kayla Meikle (The Capture), James Corrigan (This Is Going to Hurt), Nicholas Nunn (Clique) and Maimuna Memon (Sherwood).
The three-parter, which is penned by Jimmy McGovern and Helen Black, will move to life inside a women’s prison called Carlingford, where Kelsey (Ramsey), Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance) are thrown together to face an unfamiliar world. With the ever-present threat of violence within its walls, they discover that an unexpected sense of community,...
BritBox also co-produced Season 1 of the heartwrenching show, which starred Sean Bean and Stephen Graham and won two BAFTAs in 2022.
Joining The Last of Us star Ramsey, Tamara Lawrance and former Time Lord Jodie Whittaker are BAFTA-award winner Sophie Willan, Julie Graham (Shetland), Alicia Forde (Waterloo Road), Lisa Millett (The A Word), Faye McKeever (The Responder), Kayla Meikle (The Capture), James Corrigan (This Is Going to Hurt), Nicholas Nunn (Clique) and Maimuna Memon (Sherwood).
The three-parter, which is penned by Jimmy McGovern and Helen Black, will move to life inside a women’s prison called Carlingford, where Kelsey (Ramsey), Orla (Whittaker) and Abi (Lawrance) are thrown together to face an unfamiliar world. With the ever-present threat of violence within its walls, they discover that an unexpected sense of community,...
- 6/13/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
BritBox International has reached three million subscribers across its eight international markets, Variety can reveal.
The “best of British” streamer, which is backed internationally by BBC and ITV, has reached its latest milestone across the U.S., Canada, Australia, South Africa, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.
“Through what’s been a really challenging time for lots of SVODs, we’ve grown by 15% this year, which certainly exceeds that category growth for the U.S., and lots of our competitors in that set,” Reemah Sakaan, the London-based CEO of BritBox International, tells Variety.
BritBox last revealed subs of 2.6 million in March 2022, and prior to that, 2 million in July 2021 and 1 million in March 2020. In the last year, the service has launched in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, and struck new distribution partnerships with Amazon Prime Video and Apple channels across Australia.
The service’s most comparable rival in the U.S. is Acorn TV,...
The “best of British” streamer, which is backed internationally by BBC and ITV, has reached its latest milestone across the U.S., Canada, Australia, South Africa, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.
“Through what’s been a really challenging time for lots of SVODs, we’ve grown by 15% this year, which certainly exceeds that category growth for the U.S., and lots of our competitors in that set,” Reemah Sakaan, the London-based CEO of BritBox International, tells Variety.
BritBox last revealed subs of 2.6 million in March 2022, and prior to that, 2 million in July 2021 and 1 million in March 2020. In the last year, the service has launched in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, and struck new distribution partnerships with Amazon Prime Video and Apple channels across Australia.
The service’s most comparable rival in the U.S. is Acorn TV,...
- 2/22/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Agatha Christie’s “Murder is Easy” is set to be adapted into a two-part film by BBC One, iPlayer and BritBox International.
Set in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe in 1954, “Murder is Easy” tells the story of Luke Fitzwilliam who finds himself on the trail of a serial killer after meeting Miss Pinkerton on a train to London. She tells him about a series of deaths that have taken place in her village – locals think they are all accidental but Miss Pinkerton knows the truth. When she later turns up dead herself – while on the way to visit Scotland Yard – Fitzwilliam realizes he needs to find the killer before yet more bodies start piling up.
ITV Studios-owned Mammoth Screen (“The Serpent”) and Agatha Christie Limited (“And Then There Were None”) will produce the feature, which is set to go into production this summer.
Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre...
Set in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe in 1954, “Murder is Easy” tells the story of Luke Fitzwilliam who finds himself on the trail of a serial killer after meeting Miss Pinkerton on a train to London. She tells him about a series of deaths that have taken place in her village – locals think they are all accidental but Miss Pinkerton knows the truth. When she later turns up dead herself – while on the way to visit Scotland Yard – Fitzwilliam realizes he needs to find the killer before yet more bodies start piling up.
ITV Studios-owned Mammoth Screen (“The Serpent”) and Agatha Christie Limited (“And Then There Were None”) will produce the feature, which is set to go into production this summer.
Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre...
- 2/22/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC has unveiled its first Agatha Christie adaptation in the post-Sarah Phelps era.
Playwright Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre is penning Murder is Easy for BBC One and BritBox International following a quintet of Phelps-written Christie reworks over the past decade: And Then There Were None, The Witness For The Prosecution, Ordeal By Innocence and The ABC Murders, which have starred the likes of John Malkovich.
Produced by ITV Studios-backed Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited and directed by Meenu Gaur (Zinda Bhaag, World on Fire), the two-parter follows a man who, on a train to London, meets a woman who tells him that a killer is on the loose in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe.
The villagers believe the deaths are mere accidents, but Miss Pinkerton knows otherwise – and when she’s later found dead on her way to Scotland Yard, Luke feels he must...
Playwright Sian Ejiwunmi-Le Berre is penning Murder is Easy for BBC One and BritBox International following a quintet of Phelps-written Christie reworks over the past decade: And Then There Were None, The Witness For The Prosecution, Ordeal By Innocence and The ABC Murders, which have starred the likes of John Malkovich.
Produced by ITV Studios-backed Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited and directed by Meenu Gaur (Zinda Bhaag, World on Fire), the two-parter follows a man who, on a train to London, meets a woman who tells him that a killer is on the loose in the sleepy English village of Wychwood under Ashe.
The villagers believe the deaths are mere accidents, but Miss Pinkerton knows otherwise – and when she’s later found dead on her way to Scotland Yard, Luke feels he must...
- 2/22/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s a Sin exec Nicola Shindler’s Quay Street Productions is producing a six-part thriller about the aftermath of a flood for ITV and BritBox International.
After the Flood comes from BAFTA-nominated writer-actor Mick Ford and stars Sophie Rundle (Peaky Blinders) as PC Joanna Marshall. Following a devastating flood, she finds an unidentified man dead in a lift in an underground car park and, while police assume he became trapped as the waters rose, she becomes obsessed with discovering what happened to him.
After the Flood also stars Philip Glenister as property developer Jack Radcliffe and Lorraine Ashbourne (I Hate Suzie) as Marshall’s mum Molly. Nicholas Greaves and Matt Stokoe also feature. The series will air on ITV 1 and Itvx in the UK and on BritBox in the U.S., Canada, Australia, South Africa and across Nordic markets.
Shindler’s ITV Studios-backed...
After the Flood comes from BAFTA-nominated writer-actor Mick Ford and stars Sophie Rundle (Peaky Blinders) as PC Joanna Marshall. Following a devastating flood, she finds an unidentified man dead in a lift in an underground car park and, while police assume he became trapped as the waters rose, she becomes obsessed with discovering what happened to him.
After the Flood also stars Philip Glenister as property developer Jack Radcliffe and Lorraine Ashbourne (I Hate Suzie) as Marshall’s mum Molly. Nicholas Greaves and Matt Stokoe also feature. The series will air on ITV 1 and Itvx in the UK and on BritBox in the U.S., Canada, Australia, South Africa and across Nordic markets.
Shindler’s ITV Studios-backed...
- 2/16/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The BAFTA Film Awards are set to stream exclusively in the U.S. on streaming platform BritBox, the SVOD confirmed today.
It will also exclusively stream the ceremony in Canada, Australia, South Africa, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway.
The awards show will stream at the same time it is being broadcast on Feb. 17 in the U.K. on BBC One. Most of the ceremony will broadcast as-live with the final four categories broadcast live for the first time.
Richard E. Grant will host the BAFTAs this year while morning show presenter Alison Hammond will host a new BAFTA Studio from the Royal Festival Hall as part of an expanded show format designed to allow viewers to enjoy an “access all areas” experience.
The broadcast is co-produced by BAFTA and Spun Gold TV.
The features battling to take home an award for Best Film this year are “All Quiet On The Western Front,...
It will also exclusively stream the ceremony in Canada, Australia, South Africa, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway.
The awards show will stream at the same time it is being broadcast on Feb. 17 in the U.K. on BBC One. Most of the ceremony will broadcast as-live with the final four categories broadcast live for the first time.
Richard E. Grant will host the BAFTAs this year while morning show presenter Alison Hammond will host a new BAFTA Studio from the Royal Festival Hall as part of an expanded show format designed to allow viewers to enjoy an “access all areas” experience.
The broadcast is co-produced by BAFTA and Spun Gold TV.
The features battling to take home an award for Best Film this year are “All Quiet On The Western Front,...
- 1/24/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Diederick Santer, chief creative officer at streamer BritBox International, has stepped down from his role.
He joined just 18 months ago from Kudos with the mandate of curating a slate of top shows. Among the programs he has overseen are “Stonehouse,” which features “Succession’s” Matthew MacFadyen and is set to launch next week, and the upcoming Cary Grant biopic “Archie,” which stars Jason Isaacs.
Santer, who reported into BritBox CEO Reemah Sakaan, was also tasked with overseeing global programming, across all genres and international markets, including commissions and acquisitions, outside of the U.K.
According to Santer’s LinkedIn, he stepped down earlier this month, moving from his full-time creative role to a part-time executive role. Sources tell Variety that he is set to stay on at BritBox International to help executive produce and manage a handful of shows until the end of February.
Sakaan will step in to cover...
He joined just 18 months ago from Kudos with the mandate of curating a slate of top shows. Among the programs he has overseen are “Stonehouse,” which features “Succession’s” Matthew MacFadyen and is set to launch next week, and the upcoming Cary Grant biopic “Archie,” which stars Jason Isaacs.
Santer, who reported into BritBox CEO Reemah Sakaan, was also tasked with overseeing global programming, across all genres and international markets, including commissions and acquisitions, outside of the U.K.
According to Santer’s LinkedIn, he stepped down earlier this month, moving from his full-time creative role to a part-time executive role. Sources tell Variety that he is set to stay on at BritBox International to help executive produce and manage a handful of shows until the end of February.
Sakaan will step in to cover...
- 1/17/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: BritBox International has tapped Sanjeev Bhaskar as the lead for its latest original drama series, Inspector Singh Investigates, and has picked up docs about legendary acting mavericks Richard Harris and Peter O’Toole.
Inspector Singh Investigates is a three-part drama that BritBox International has co-commissioned alongside UK distributor Dcd Rights and 108 Media. BritBox International, which operates outside the UK, takes North American and Australian rights, we’ve learned.
108 Media London, the UK production wing of international content firm 108 Media is producing the series, which will be shot in Malaysia. Dcd Rights is selling it internationally (excluding North America and Australia).
The crime drama is based on the novel of the same name from author Shamini Flint, following Bhaskar as the titular Inspector Singh as he investigates complex murders rooted in the cultural DNA of exotic Asian countries.
Diederick Santer and Jonathan Karas are executive producers for BritBox International, the...
Inspector Singh Investigates is a three-part drama that BritBox International has co-commissioned alongside UK distributor Dcd Rights and 108 Media. BritBox International, which operates outside the UK, takes North American and Australian rights, we’ve learned.
108 Media London, the UK production wing of international content firm 108 Media is producing the series, which will be shot in Malaysia. Dcd Rights is selling it internationally (excluding North America and Australia).
The crime drama is based on the novel of the same name from author Shamini Flint, following Bhaskar as the titular Inspector Singh as he investigates complex murders rooted in the cultural DNA of exotic Asian countries.
Diederick Santer and Jonathan Karas are executive producers for BritBox International, the...
- 11/7/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Streamer BritBox International has hired Robert Schildhouse to the joint position of executive vice president for North America, overseeing the company’s U.S. and Canada growth, and general manager of group marketing services.
Schildhouse, who will be based in New York, will report to BritBox International CEO Reemah Sakaan. His remit will be to drive growth, lead business development and opversee programming, performance marketing and commercial relationships for the streamer.
Schildhouse previously joined Hulu just before its 2008 launch, eventually leading its content acquisition team, before moving to CBS Global Distribution Group as SVP of digital licensing and distribution, where he eventually rose to EVP.
Britbox International is a BBC Studios and ITV joint venture bringing the best of British television to the world. Among the original titles the streamer recently commissioned is “Archie,” a drama series about the life of Cary Grant. Britbox recently launched in the Nordics and...
Schildhouse, who will be based in New York, will report to BritBox International CEO Reemah Sakaan. His remit will be to drive growth, lead business development and opversee programming, performance marketing and commercial relationships for the streamer.
Schildhouse previously joined Hulu just before its 2008 launch, eventually leading its content acquisition team, before moving to CBS Global Distribution Group as SVP of digital licensing and distribution, where he eventually rose to EVP.
Britbox International is a BBC Studios and ITV joint venture bringing the best of British television to the world. Among the original titles the streamer recently commissioned is “Archie,” a drama series about the life of Cary Grant. Britbox recently launched in the Nordics and...
- 10/24/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
BritBox International, the streamer run by the BBC and ITV, has hired former Hulu and CBS executive Robert Schildhouse.
Schildhouse joins as EVP, North America and Gm, Group Marketing Services. Based in New York, he reports to BritBox International CEO Reemah Sakaan.
His hire comes after the company restructured earlier this summer. The move saw it move to a two-region structure, which brought with it promotions for Moira Hogan and Neale Dennett, where it signaled its intention to hire a U.S-based Gm.
He will oversee the streaming service in the U.S. and Canada and lead its centralized global marketing team.
Schildhouse joined Hulu prior to its launch in 2008 and becoming leader of its content acquisition team. He then joined CBS Global Distribution Group, where he was EVP, Digital Licensing and Distribution and later EVP, Business Development.
BritBox is behind series such as Hugh Laurie’s Agatha Christie adaptation...
Schildhouse joins as EVP, North America and Gm, Group Marketing Services. Based in New York, he reports to BritBox International CEO Reemah Sakaan.
His hire comes after the company restructured earlier this summer. The move saw it move to a two-region structure, which brought with it promotions for Moira Hogan and Neale Dennett, where it signaled its intention to hire a U.S-based Gm.
He will oversee the streaming service in the U.S. and Canada and lead its centralized global marketing team.
Schildhouse joined Hulu prior to its launch in 2008 and becoming leader of its content acquisition team. He then joined CBS Global Distribution Group, where he was EVP, Digital Licensing and Distribution and later EVP, Business Development.
BritBox is behind series such as Hugh Laurie’s Agatha Christie adaptation...
- 10/24/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Executive previously served in senior roles at Hulu, CBS.
BritBox International has appointed former Hulu and CBS executive Robert Schildhouse EVP North America and general manager of its centralized marking operation.
As EVP and head of the streamer’s group marketing services, Schildhouse will spearhead growth in the US and Canada. He will be based in New York and reports to BritBox International CEO Reemah Sakaan.
His appointment comes after a year of global growth for the BBC Studios and ITV joint venture, which recently launched in Nordic markets to add to its operation in the US, Canada, Australia and South Africa.
BritBox International has appointed former Hulu and CBS executive Robert Schildhouse EVP North America and general manager of its centralized marking operation.
As EVP and head of the streamer’s group marketing services, Schildhouse will spearhead growth in the US and Canada. He will be based in New York and reports to BritBox International CEO Reemah Sakaan.
His appointment comes after a year of global growth for the BBC Studios and ITV joint venture, which recently launched in Nordic markets to add to its operation in the US, Canada, Australia and South Africa.
- 10/24/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Stake
Japan’s biggest film group Toho announced that it has taken a controlling stake in Tia (previously Toho Interactive Animation), a production company behind the “100 Nichikan Ikita Wani,” film and anime series “iii icecrin,” “iii icecrin2” “Ninja Collection” and “That Is the Bottleneck.”
Originally known as I&a, the company was established in 2017 by Ilca and Anima. The name changed to Tia after Toho bought a nearly 35 from the two founders in 2020. Toho has now bought out Anima’s stake, giving it a 67.4 majority holding and cause to rename the company again, this time to Toho Animation Studio. Deal terms were not disclosed.
Keiji Ota, managing executive officer of Toho, in charge of the studio’s video business and digital content division, is to be appointed as president and representative director at Toho Animation Studio.
Toho has been ramping up slowly in animation over the past ten years and...
Japan’s biggest film group Toho announced that it has taken a controlling stake in Tia (previously Toho Interactive Animation), a production company behind the “100 Nichikan Ikita Wani,” film and anime series “iii icecrin,” “iii icecrin2” “Ninja Collection” and “That Is the Bottleneck.”
Originally known as I&a, the company was established in 2017 by Ilca and Anima. The name changed to Tia after Toho bought a nearly 35 from the two founders in 2020. Toho has now bought out Anima’s stake, giving it a 67.4 majority holding and cause to rename the company again, this time to Toho Animation Studio. Deal terms were not disclosed.
Keiji Ota, managing executive officer of Toho, in charge of the studio’s video business and digital content division, is to be appointed as president and representative director at Toho Animation Studio.
Toho has been ramping up slowly in animation over the past ten years and...
- 9/21/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Britain’s major broadcasters and streamers are taking a stand on “clear and disturbing” access issues impacting the industry’s disabled population and have demanded change from studios and post-production facilities.
Deadline can exclusively reveal that the flagship cross-industry initiative to be launched at this week’s Edinburgh Television Festival will be the TV Access Project (Tap), a blueprint to rid the sector of appalling accessibility problems, spearheaded by BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore.
The BBC, Channel 4, Britbox International, Disney+ UK, ITV, Paramount, Prime Video, Sky and UKTV are all signed up to Tap and the project has backing from influential producer trade body Pact and the Creative Diversity Network (Cdn).
Tap began quietly in April when Moore, one of the most powerful people in British broadcasting, helped convene a pan-industry roundtable between disabled creatives, UK industry bosses and groups such as Pact, the Cdn, Triple C...
Deadline can exclusively reveal that the flagship cross-industry initiative to be launched at this week’s Edinburgh Television Festival will be the TV Access Project (Tap), a blueprint to rid the sector of appalling accessibility problems, spearheaded by BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore.
The BBC, Channel 4, Britbox International, Disney+ UK, ITV, Paramount, Prime Video, Sky and UKTV are all signed up to Tap and the project has backing from influential producer trade body Pact and the Creative Diversity Network (Cdn).
Tap began quietly in April when Moore, one of the most powerful people in British broadcasting, helped convene a pan-industry roundtable between disabled creatives, UK industry bosses and groups such as Pact, the Cdn, Triple C...
- 8/23/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
BritBox is hoping to carve out a niche for Anglo-centric programming in the U.S. and its boss has taken a particularly British swipe at rival streamers for their attempts.
Opening the streaming service’s virtual TCA panel, CEO Reemah Sakaan took aim.
“While other streamers have definitely discovered the quality and power of the British genre and in recent years, they’ve been originating some great British shows, they are accessories and not part of the core offering,” she said.
“The streamers are well intentioned. However, they definitely lack a little of what we would define as the essence of British, you might hear the accent see the settings and costumes, but in reality, they’re what we would call British-ish. At BritBox, there’s no extra -ish,” she added. “We were born in America, but we’re wholeheartedly British undeniably authentically and fanatically so. British is in our brand,...
Opening the streaming service’s virtual TCA panel, CEO Reemah Sakaan took aim.
“While other streamers have definitely discovered the quality and power of the British genre and in recent years, they’ve been originating some great British shows, they are accessories and not part of the core offering,” she said.
“The streamers are well intentioned. However, they definitely lack a little of what we would define as the essence of British, you might hear the accent see the settings and costumes, but in reality, they’re what we would call British-ish. At BritBox, there’s no extra -ish,” she added. “We were born in America, but we’re wholeheartedly British undeniably authentically and fanatically so. British is in our brand,...
- 8/9/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insider squad. Max Goldbart here back from Glastonbury with all the news, analysis and sunburn you need as we look back on the final week of June. Read on.
Karlovy Vary Kicks Off
Czeching-in: The film festival calendar is in full swing this summer and the picturesque Czech festival of Karlovy Vary kicks off today, ending next Saturday. On the ground for Deadline are Diana Lodderhose and our new Senior International Film Correspondent Melanie Goodfellow, taking in the Prague festival, which will see 33 films from five continents compete across three sections. Italian director Paolo Genovese’s relationship drama Superheroes will open, while George Miller’s Cannes title Three Thousand Years of Longing is set to close, and A-listers Liev Schreiber, Geoffrey Rush and Benicio del Toro are all in attendance. Diana set us up with two excellent primers, as she posed how Kv continues to be an “edgy...
Karlovy Vary Kicks Off
Czeching-in: The film festival calendar is in full swing this summer and the picturesque Czech festival of Karlovy Vary kicks off today, ending next Saturday. On the ground for Deadline are Diana Lodderhose and our new Senior International Film Correspondent Melanie Goodfellow, taking in the Prague festival, which will see 33 films from five continents compete across three sections. Italian director Paolo Genovese’s relationship drama Superheroes will open, while George Miller’s Cannes title Three Thousand Years of Longing is set to close, and A-listers Liev Schreiber, Geoffrey Rush and Benicio del Toro are all in attendance. Diana set us up with two excellent primers, as she posed how Kv continues to be an “edgy...
- 7/1/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
BritBox International, the British content specialist streamer operated by U.K. broadcasters BBC and ITV, has big growth plans.
While unveiling their new slate at an event in London on Wednesday, BritBox CEO Reemah Sakaan and Cco Diederick Santer revealed that the streamer’s spend on programming, via commissions, co-productions and acquisitions, has trebled and that the marketing budget has doubled. At the core of BritBox programming is mystery shows and the aim is to add a dozen of them every year and a further dozen in what the executives describe as the “crime and beyond” genre. The numbers are not set in stone.
“It’s a roadmap rather than a straitjacket,” Santer told Variety. “There’s plenty else going on, with different kinds of titles across different genres.”
While the executives declined to put a financial value to the enhanced programming spend, Sakaan said that the streamer has been...
While unveiling their new slate at an event in London on Wednesday, BritBox CEO Reemah Sakaan and Cco Diederick Santer revealed that the streamer’s spend on programming, via commissions, co-productions and acquisitions, has trebled and that the marketing budget has doubled. At the core of BritBox programming is mystery shows and the aim is to add a dozen of them every year and a further dozen in what the executives describe as the “crime and beyond” genre. The numbers are not set in stone.
“It’s a roadmap rather than a straitjacket,” Santer told Variety. “There’s plenty else going on, with different kinds of titles across different genres.”
While the executives declined to put a financial value to the enhanced programming spend, Sakaan said that the streamer has been...
- 6/29/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
BritBox International, the streamer run by the BBC and ITV, has restructured, talked up U.S. growth and communicated its desire to avoid “transatlantic puddings” to a room of some of the UK’s most successful drama producers.
The streamer, which is behind the likes of Hugh Laurie-starring Agatha Christie adaptation Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, has hired NBCUniversal and Discovery alum Kerry Ball in the newly-created post of Chief Acquisitions & Commercial Officer, while moving to a two-region structure: Bbi North America (covering the U.S. and Canada) and Bbi International Markets.
Meanwhile, BritBox’s Moira Hogan has been promoted to EVP International Markets & General Manager Apac and Neale Dennett is upped to SVP International Markets & General Manager Emea. An EVP North America & General Manager Group Marketing Services will join soon.
Reporting to CEO Reemah Sakaan,...
The streamer, which is behind the likes of Hugh Laurie-starring Agatha Christie adaptation Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, has hired NBCUniversal and Discovery alum Kerry Ball in the newly-created post of Chief Acquisitions & Commercial Officer, while moving to a two-region structure: Bbi North America (covering the U.S. and Canada) and Bbi International Markets.
Meanwhile, BritBox’s Moira Hogan has been promoted to EVP International Markets & General Manager Apac and Neale Dennett is upped to SVP International Markets & General Manager Emea. An EVP North America & General Manager Group Marketing Services will join soon.
Reporting to CEO Reemah Sakaan,...
- 6/29/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The universe of the globally popular “Death in Paradise” series is being expanded with new show “Beyond Paradise.”
The new series follows characters who have moved from sunny Saint Marie to rural Britain. Co-commissioned by BBC One and BritBox International, and reuniting Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton in the lead roles, the six-part “Beyond Paradise,” created by Tony Jordan and Robert Thorogood, will be produced by Red Planet Pictures.
Executive chair of Red Planet, Jordan, will act as showrunner and executive producer alongside Tim Key and Belinda Campbell, and Diederick Santer and Tommy Bulfin will executive produce for BritBox International and BBC respectively. BBC Studios will handle international distribution. The series is produced by Lindsay Hughes and directed by Sandy Johnson. Filming will start on location in the U.K. later this year.
The deal is part of a slate with U.K. broadcasters BBC and ITV unveiled by BritBox...
The new series follows characters who have moved from sunny Saint Marie to rural Britain. Co-commissioned by BBC One and BritBox International, and reuniting Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton in the lead roles, the six-part “Beyond Paradise,” created by Tony Jordan and Robert Thorogood, will be produced by Red Planet Pictures.
Executive chair of Red Planet, Jordan, will act as showrunner and executive producer alongside Tim Key and Belinda Campbell, and Diederick Santer and Tommy Bulfin will executive produce for BritBox International and BBC respectively. BBC Studios will handle international distribution. The series is produced by Lindsay Hughes and directed by Sandy Johnson. Filming will start on location in the U.K. later this year.
The deal is part of a slate with U.K. broadcasters BBC and ITV unveiled by BritBox...
- 6/29/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC and BritBox have commissioned a spin-off of BBC drama favorite Death in Paradise, with Kris Marshall’s Di Humphrey Goodman character making a return in the UK.
Marshall played the lead role in the show’s third-to-sixth season before being replaced by Ardal O’Hanlon and Beyond Paradise will spotlight his return to being a Di in his home nation. Beyond Paradise will be distributed internationally by BBC Studios and be available in all Britbox international markets outside of Australia.
Having recently entered its 11th season, Asacha Media Group-backed Sanditon producer Red Planet Pictures’ Death in Paradise is one of the BBC’s most popular dramas of the past decade and was one of the first shows to return to production after the Covid-induced production hiatus in 2020.
The idea for a spin-off has been floating around for several years and BritBox Chief Creative Officer Diederick Santer, who used to run Broadchurch indie Kudos,...
Marshall played the lead role in the show’s third-to-sixth season before being replaced by Ardal O’Hanlon and Beyond Paradise will spotlight his return to being a Di in his home nation. Beyond Paradise will be distributed internationally by BBC Studios and be available in all Britbox international markets outside of Australia.
Having recently entered its 11th season, Asacha Media Group-backed Sanditon producer Red Planet Pictures’ Death in Paradise is one of the BBC’s most popular dramas of the past decade and was one of the first shows to return to production after the Covid-induced production hiatus in 2020.
The idea for a spin-off has been floating around for several years and BritBox Chief Creative Officer Diederick Santer, who used to run Broadchurch indie Kudos,...
- 6/29/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
BritBox, the ITV and the BBC’s streaming service, is set to roll out across the Nordics with a raft of original programming on April 28.
BritBox International will launch in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, and will include BritBox Originals, exclusive new series, as well as TV classics.
The slate will boast true crime dramas “Stonehouse” (pictured), starring Matthew Macfadyen and Keeley Hawes and “The Thief, His Wife, and the Canoe,” starring Eddie Marsan; light-hearted murder mystery series “Sister Boniface Mysteries,” starring Lorna Watson and Jerry Iwu, on top of the lush period drama “The Confessions of Frannie Langton” with Sophie Cookson and Jodhi May. New titles will also bow on the streamer every month, for instance Idris Elba’s “Fight School” and “Anne” starring award-winner Maxine Peake.
Britbox kicked off its international roll out with launches in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
“Adding fresh Originals to...
BritBox International will launch in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, and will include BritBox Originals, exclusive new series, as well as TV classics.
The slate will boast true crime dramas “Stonehouse” (pictured), starring Matthew Macfadyen and Keeley Hawes and “The Thief, His Wife, and the Canoe,” starring Eddie Marsan; light-hearted murder mystery series “Sister Boniface Mysteries,” starring Lorna Watson and Jerry Iwu, on top of the lush period drama “The Confessions of Frannie Langton” with Sophie Cookson and Jodhi May. New titles will also bow on the streamer every month, for instance Idris Elba’s “Fight School” and “Anne” starring award-winner Maxine Peake.
Britbox kicked off its international roll out with launches in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
“Adding fresh Originals to...
- 4/21/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
BritBox International is rolling out to the Nordics after striking a distribution deal with local broadcaster C More, bringing the BBC/ITV streamer’s total number of countries up to eight.
The SVoD, which hosts a wealth of British content, will become available to C More subscribers in Denmark, Finland and Sweden early next year and to Norwegians via TV2, with pricing revealed at a later date. Non-c More subs will be able to sign up directly and shows will be available in English with local language and English subtitles.
BritBox, which launched four years ago in the U.S., is now available in the UK, U.S., Australia, South Africa and the four Nordic countries as it targets 25 territories across Emea and South America.
The service holds older British shows, mainly scripted, and has commissioned tentpole originals such as Irvine Welsh adaptation Crime, New Regency Television/Scott Free’s...
The SVoD, which hosts a wealth of British content, will become available to C More subscribers in Denmark, Finland and Sweden early next year and to Norwegians via TV2, with pricing revealed at a later date. Non-c More subs will be able to sign up directly and shows will be available in English with local language and English subtitles.
BritBox, which launched four years ago in the U.S., is now available in the UK, U.S., Australia, South Africa and the four Nordic countries as it targets 25 territories across Emea and South America.
The service holds older British shows, mainly scripted, and has commissioned tentpole originals such as Irvine Welsh adaptation Crime, New Regency Television/Scott Free’s...
- 12/14/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The bosses of all major UK broadcasters, Discovery UK and Sky have come together to sign a Climate Content Pledge at this week’s COP26, as they attempt to uproot their commissioning processes and teach audiences more about reaching net zero on greenhouse gases.
Twelve networks, which represent more than 70% of time UK audiences spend watching TV and film, have put their names to the pledge, as the CEOs of the major broadcasters appear in a panel session this morning at BBC Scotland.
The pledge reads:
We will reach more of our audiences with content that helps everyone understand and navigate the path to net zero, and inspires them to make greener choices. We will develop processes that help us to consider climate themes when we are commissioning, developing and producing content. We will ensure that our efforts are informed by the science. We will recognise the importance of fair...
Twelve networks, which represent more than 70% of time UK audiences spend watching TV and film, have put their names to the pledge, as the CEOs of the major broadcasters appear in a panel session this morning at BBC Scotland.
The pledge reads:
We will reach more of our audiences with content that helps everyone understand and navigate the path to net zero, and inspires them to make greener choices. We will develop processes that help us to consider climate themes when we are commissioning, developing and producing content. We will ensure that our efforts are informed by the science. We will recognise the importance of fair...
- 11/3/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
IndieWire and Variety announced Wednesday a planned virtual panel discussion about curating content in the global marketplace in order to build a streaming audience, featuring executives from a range of domestic and international executives.
The online panel, titled “Succeeding in Global Content Discovery and Curation to Build Audiences,” is part of the Variety & IndieWire Streaming Room presented by Vuulr and will take place November 10 at 12:30Pm Est/9:30Am Pst. Moderated by Variety International Editor Manori Ravindran, the panel will feature Reemah Sakaan, CEO of BritBox International; Ian McKee, founder and CEO or Vuulr; Jason Kwong, chief strategy and digital officer of Redbox; Amy Kuessner, SVP of content strategy and global partnerships at ViacomCBS Streaming; and Filippa Wallestam, EVP and chief content officer of Nordic Entertainment Group.
Among the topics covered in the discussion will be how today’s TV channels are assessing the best content for their target...
The online panel, titled “Succeeding in Global Content Discovery and Curation to Build Audiences,” is part of the Variety & IndieWire Streaming Room presented by Vuulr and will take place November 10 at 12:30Pm Est/9:30Am Pst. Moderated by Variety International Editor Manori Ravindran, the panel will feature Reemah Sakaan, CEO of BritBox International; Ian McKee, founder and CEO or Vuulr; Jason Kwong, chief strategy and digital officer of Redbox; Amy Kuessner, SVP of content strategy and global partnerships at ViacomCBS Streaming; and Filippa Wallestam, EVP and chief content officer of Nordic Entertainment Group.
Among the topics covered in the discussion will be how today’s TV channels are assessing the best content for their target...
- 10/27/2021
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
BritBox is ramping up its international manpower with the hire of Diederick Santer as its first Chief Creative Officer.
The streaming service, which is a joint venture globally between the BBC and ITV, has appointed Santer to oversee all aspects of programming on the SVOD service globally, including commissioning and acquisition across all genres and for all markets outside of the UK.
Santer was previously CEO of Endemol Shine/Banijay-owned producer Kudos, where he oversaw shows such as AMC and Channel 4 co-pro Humans, Sky’s Tim Roth-fronted drama Tin Star as well as BBC’s Apple Tree Yard, Gunpowder and The Boy With The Topknot. Before taking charge at Kudos, he ran his own production company Lovely Day, within Kudos, where he produced Grantchester.
Earlier this year, he finished an eight-month stint covering BBC drama commissioning. He also previously ran EastEnders, one of the UK’s largest soaps.
The streaming service, which is a joint venture globally between the BBC and ITV, has appointed Santer to oversee all aspects of programming on the SVOD service globally, including commissioning and acquisition across all genres and for all markets outside of the UK.
Santer was previously CEO of Endemol Shine/Banijay-owned producer Kudos, where he oversaw shows such as AMC and Channel 4 co-pro Humans, Sky’s Tim Roth-fronted drama Tin Star as well as BBC’s Apple Tree Yard, Gunpowder and The Boy With The Topknot. Before taking charge at Kudos, he ran his own production company Lovely Day, within Kudos, where he produced Grantchester.
Earlier this year, he finished an eight-month stint covering BBC drama commissioning. He also previously ran EastEnders, one of the UK’s largest soaps.
- 7/13/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
BritBox International, the ad-free SVOD (subscription video on-demand) service from ITV and BBC Studios, has hired Diederick Santer as its first chief creative officer.
Santer will join the company in September and will manage all aspects of BritBox’s programming, including commissioning and acquisition across all genres and for all markets outside of the UK, according to the job description. His role will include building production and distribution relationships with the UK creative sector to secure a future pipeline of shows to accelerate BritBox’s international growth in the SVOD world as part of its planned rollout to multiple countries worldwide.
He’ll report to BritBox International CEO Reemah Sakaan. Together, the two will lead continued global expansion and beef up the service’s original slate.
Santer was CEO of the TV production company Kudos, where he oversaw “Man in an Orange Shirt,” “Humans,” “Apple Tree Yard,” “Gunpowder,” “The Boy...
Santer will join the company in September and will manage all aspects of BritBox’s programming, including commissioning and acquisition across all genres and for all markets outside of the UK, according to the job description. His role will include building production and distribution relationships with the UK creative sector to secure a future pipeline of shows to accelerate BritBox’s international growth in the SVOD world as part of its planned rollout to multiple countries worldwide.
He’ll report to BritBox International CEO Reemah Sakaan. Together, the two will lead continued global expansion and beef up the service’s original slate.
Santer was CEO of the TV production company Kudos, where he oversaw “Man in an Orange Shirt,” “Humans,” “Apple Tree Yard,” “Gunpowder,” “The Boy...
- 7/13/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
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