Category: BBC One

Production Begins on BBC One, BBC America and Sister’s Third and Final Series of “The Split”

Posted on by Danielle Langer





Production Begins on BBC One, BBC America and Sister’s Third and Final Series of “The Split”
The series will once again be distributed internationally by BBC Studios.
[via press release from BBC]
Production Begins on BBC One, BBC AMERICA and Sister’s Third and Final Series of The Split

Further cast announcements include the return of BARRY ATSMA as Christie, CHUKWUDI IWUJI as Zander and DAMIEN MOLONY as Tyler

Joining the cast will be LARA PULVER (Sherlock)

Dee Koppang O’Leary (Bridgerton, The Crown) begins as lead director

New York, NY – Today, BBC One, BBC America and SISTER are delighted to announce that production has started in London on Abi Morgan’s returning drama – The Split – for the final part of its trilogy. The series will once again be distributed internationally by BBC Studios.

The highly anticipated series, set in the fast-paced, complex world of London’s high-end divorce circuit is created by BAFTA and EMMY award winning writer Abi Morgan (River, Suffragette, The Hour) and Executive Producers Jane Featherstone (Chernobyl, Giri-Haji, Utopia), Lucy Dyke (The Split, Black Mirror, Ripper Street) and Lucy Richer (Small Axe, The Salisbury Poisonings, The A Word).

Alongside the returning three Defoe sisters (Nicola Walker, Annabel Scholey and Fiona Button), their formidable mother Ruth (Deborah Findlay) and Hannah’s husband Nathan (Stephen Mangan), the production today reveals the eagerly awaited return of Christie played by Barry Atsma; the catalyst to the breakdown of Hannah and Nathan’s marriage in series two.

Also returning to The Split for its final series are Damien Molony (Tyler), Chukwudi Iwuji (Zander), Rudi Dharmalingham (James), Elizabeth Roberts (Liv Stern), Ian McElhinney (Prof Ronnie), Anna Chancellor (Melanie Aickman) and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Glen Peters), reprising his role as the Vicar who married Rose and James in season one.

Joining this formidable group is Lara Pulver (Sherlock) playing Kate, a leading child psychologist whose arrival adds a whole new layer of complexity to Morgan’s multi-layered examination of divorce and modern marriage. This farewell series, equal parts electrifying, witty and heart-breaking, continues to put the Defoe sisters and their matriarch at its heart; a group of powerful women working together to help their clients, their colleagues and each other as they continue to navigate the messiness of life.

After audiences were left reeling by the collapse of Hannah and Nathan’s marriage at the end of series two, we join them again ten months on, following the two divorce lawyers as they negotiate their way through their own separation. With Dee Koppang O’Leary (Bridgerton, The Crown) boarding as lead director, Abi Morgan will conclude the trilogy with the most heart-warming and heart-breaking series to date as we watch a divorce lawyer confronted with her own divorce. With Christie making a return combined with a shocking revelation, will Hannah and Nathan repair their broken marriage, or is The Split simply too deep to repair?

Abi Morgan says “For every writer there are characters that stay with them, long after a show is over, Hannah Defoe and her family are just that, and it’s been a welcome balm after a difficult year globally, to reunite this brilliant cast. The Split has been building to this exhilarating final act for the Defoes as they navigate their way through the marital make up and break up, both personally and professionally, at Noble, Hale and Defoe. They say you can’t have new beginnings without endings, and I want to say a big thank you to the BBC and AMC, and the fans who have kept running by our side.”

Sister Co-Founder Jane Featherstone and Executive Producer Lucy Dyke said, “We’re delighted to start production on this glorious third series of The Split. Abi’s scripts are beautiful and we can’t wait for our wonderful cast to bring them to life in the hands of lead-director Dee Koppang O’Leary. We’re also thrilled to be adding Lara Pulver to our Split family this season. Our thanks to the BBC and AMC Networks for their continued commitment and unwavering support. The final part of Hannah and Nathan’s story is, as expected, very emotional – be prepared for tears!”

Lucy Richer, Executive Producer for the BBC, says, “The Split is one of our most-loved and most-talked about drama series and we’re thrilled to be back in production with Series 3. As ever, Abi Morgan’s incredible writing sparkles with truth and honesty, wit and heartbreak. It is fantastic to be back with the Defoes, with Hannah and Nathan facing their biggest challenge yet – how to survive the break up of their marriage, and navigate their own divorce”.

Dan McDermott, president of original programming for AMC Networks says, “We’re excited to start production on The Split’s final series, which will offer BBC America viewers and Sundance Now subscribers the perfect send off for this acclaimed British drama.”

The Split Series 3 will air in 2022. Further TX details to be confirmed.

In the U.S. The Split, Series 3 will air on BBC America and be available to stream on AMC Networks’ streaming service Sundance Now, which also has the first two seasons available now to watch anytime.

About The Split

Created and written by Abi Morgan, The Split is produced by SISTER for BBC One, co-produced with Little Chick and BBC America, and was re-commissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer BBC and Kristin Jones, EVP of international programming, AMC Networks. Series Three is executive produced by SISTER Co- Founder Jane Featherstone (Chernobyl, Giri-Haji, Utopia), writer and creator Abi Morgan (River, Suffragette, The Hour), Lucy Dyke (Black Mirror, Ripper Street) and Lucy Richer for the BBC. Dee Koppang O’Leary (Bridgerton, The Crown) boards as the lead director with Sumrah Mohammed and Emma Genders producing. Casting continues with filming due to start in 2021.

The second series, which averaged over 6 million viewers and over 19 million streams, became the third most watched drama series on BBC iPlayer in 2020 (does not include continuing drama titles).

The Split Series one and two are available on BBC iPlayer to stream now.

About AMC Networks

AMC Networks is a global entertainment company known for its popular and critically-acclaimed content. Its portfolio of brands includes AMC, BBC AMERICA (operated through a joint venture with BBC Studios), IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, IFC Films, and a number of fast-growing streaming services, including the AMC+ premium streaming bundle, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and ALLBLK. AMC Studios, the Company’s in-house studio, production and distribution operation, is behind award-winning owned series and franchises, including The Walking Dead, the highest-rated series in cable history. The Company also operates AMC Networks International, its international programming business, and 25/7 Media, its production services business.

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios, a global content company with bold British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programs and formats made by high-quality UK independents. Award-winning British programs made by the business are internationally recognized across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Dancing with the Stars/Strictly Come Dancing, Top Gear, Doctor Who and Bluey. BBC Studios has offices in 22 markets globally, including ten production bases in the UK and production bases or partnerships in a further nine countries around the world. The company, which ordinarily makes around 2,500 hours of content a year for both the BBC and third parties including Apple, Amazon and China Mobile, is a champion for British creativity around the world. It is also a committed partner for the UK’s independent sector through a mix of equity partnerships, content investment and international distribution for program titles. To the BBC, BBC Studios contributes both cash dividends and funds for program-making, supporting the license fee and enhancing programs for UK audiences.

In the Americas, BBC Studios – with team members across the region – manages joint venture relationships with AMC Networks for flagship channel BBC AMERICA (U.S.) – home of original series Killing Eve and global brands Seven Worlds: One Planet, Doctor Who, and Top Gear – and with ITV for SVoD service BritBox (U.S./Canada), as well as a strategic partnership in Canada with Blue Ant Media for BBC Earth Channel. The company also operates a robust linear and digital content sales and co-productions operation, as well as a franchise management business. In addition, BBC Studios operates a major production unit in Los Angeles responsible for the highly-rated, Emmy(R)-nominated Dancing with the Stars and multi-award-winning Life Below Zero. In Brazil, through a production partnership with Endemol Shine, local production Dancing Brasil has become a breakout hit. In addition, the company has recently launched BBC SELECT in the U.S. and Canada, an ad-free, digital streaming channel offering unrivalled content across culture, politics and ideas, on Amazon Prime Video Channels and the Apple TV app.



Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer to Star in Hugo Blick’s “The English”

Posted on by Danielle Langer





Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer to Star in Hugo Blick’s “The English” from BBC One and Amazon Studios
Rafe Spall, Tom Hughes, Stephen Rea and Valerie Pachner will also star in the six-episode series.
[via press release from Amazon]
EMILY BLUNT AND CHASKE SPENCER TO STAR IN HUGO BLICK’S “THE ENGLISH” FROM BBC ONE AND AMAZON STUDIOS

Also joining the cast are Rafe Spall, Tom Hughes, Stephen Rea and Valerie Pachner

CULVER CITY, Calif. – May 11, 2021 – Produced by the multi-award-winning production company Drama Republic (Doctor Foster, Us, Black Earth Rising), filming has now commenced on The English, a 6×60″ high-octane epic western led by Emily Blunt (Mary Poppins Returns, A Quiet Place) and Chaske Spencer (The Twilight Saga, Banshee) for BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and Amazon Prime Video in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in association with All3Media international.

Written and directed by multi-award-winning Hugo Blick (The Honourable Woman, Black Earth Rising, The Shadow Line) and set in the mythic mid-American landscape in the year of 1890, The English follows Cornelia Locke (Emily Blunt), an Englishwoman who arrives into the new and wild landscape of the West to wreak revenge on the man she sees as responsible for the death of her son. Upon meeting Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer), an ex-cavalry scout and member of the Pawnee Nation by birth, they join together and discover a shared history which must be defeated at all costs, if either of them are to survive.

The cast will also include Rafe Spall (The Salisbury Poisonings, Trying), Tom Hughes (A Discovery of Witches, Victoria), Stephen Rea (The Shadow Line, The Honourable Woman), Valerie Pachner (A Hidden Life, The Kingsman), Toby Jones (Marvellous, Detectorists), Ciaran Hinds (The Terror, The Woman in Black), Malcolm Storry (The Princess Bride, Doc Martin), Steve Wall (Raised by Wolves, The Witcher), Nichola McAuliffe (Tomorrow Never Dies, Doctor Who), Sule Rimi (Black Earth Rising, Strike Back) and Cristian Solimeno (Avenue 5, Guilt).

Hugo Blick said: “The chance to make a Western with Emily Blunt and the cast is so delicious I’m still wondering if it’s one of those weird dreams we were all having during lockdown. If not, a thrilling, romantic, epic horse-opera is heading to your screen sometime next year, and I couldn’t be more excited.”

Greg Brenman, CEO of Drama Republic, said: “Hugo Blick has created a compelling, modern love story set against the epic landscape of a Western. The English is a true adventure that will tell us as much about the times we live in today as the period in which it is set.”

Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, said: “I’m delighted that Hugo’s beautiful scripts are finally coming to life in The English. With a cast led by the exceptional Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer, I have no doubt that this thrilling and compelling story will be a treat for BBC audiences when it hits our screens”.

Brad Beale, Vice President, Worldwide Licensing for Prime Video, said: “We can’t wait to break new ground and bring The English to Prime Video. We know Hugo Blick’s incredible tale of love, loss, and revenge – brought to life on-screen by the talented Emily Blunt, Chaske Spencer, and the entire cast of The English – will captivate Prime members across the globe.”

Louise Pederson, CEO All3Media international, said: “We are incredibly excited to be working with the team at Drama Republic to bring Hugo Blick’s wonderfully epic drama to audiences around the world.”

Greg Brenman will executive produce for Drama Republic alongside Hugo Blick and Emily Blunt. Mona Qureshi will executive produce for the BBC. The producer is Colin Wratten (Killing Eve, The Witness for the Prosecution). The English has been commissioned for the BBC by Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer, and Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning. Amazon Studios is coproducing in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in association with All3Media international. IllumiNative are consulting with production on the series.

The English is currently filming in Spain and further details will follow in due course.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Emily Blunt is represented by Chris Andrews from CAA, David Weber of Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern and Roger Charteris of Artists Partnership.

Chaske Spencer is represented by A3 Artists Agency, ATA Management, & Peikoff Mahan Law Office.

About Prime Video

Prime Video offers customers a vast collection of movies, series, and sports — all available to watch on hundreds of compatible devices.

· Included with Prime Video: Watch movies, series and sports, including Thursday Night Football. Enjoy hits like Coming 2 America, The Boys, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Sylvie’s Love, Upload, and My Spy, as well as Emmy and Golden Globe winners Fleabag and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Golden Globe winner Small Axe, Academy Award winner Sound of Metal, Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, and Academy Award nominees Time and One Night in Miami… Prime members also get access to licensed content.

· Prime Video Channels: Prime members can add channels like CBS All Access, BET+, EPIX, Noggin, NBA League Pass, MLB.tv, STARZ and SHOWTIME—no extra apps to download, and no cable required. Only pay for the ones you want, and cancel anytime. View the full list of channels available at amazon.com/channels.

· Rent or Buy: Enjoy new-release movies to rent or buy, entire seasons of current TV shows available to buy, and special deals just for Prime members.

· Instant access: Watch at home or on the go with your choice of hundreds of compatible devices. Stream from the web or using the Prime Video app on your smartphone, tablet, set-top box, game console, or select smart TV. For a complete list of compatible devices, visit amazon.com/howtostream.

· Enhanced experiences: Make the most of every viewing with 4K Ultra HD- and High Dynamic Range (HDR)-compatible content. Go behind the scenes of your favorite movies and TV shows with exclusive X-Ray access, powered by IMDb. Save it for later with select mobile downloads for offline viewing.

Prime Video is just one of many shopping and entertainment benefits included with a Prime membership, along with fast, free shipping on millions of Prime-eligible items at Amazon.com, unlimited photo storage, exclusive deals and discounts, and access to ad-free music and Kindle ebooks. To sign up or start a 30-day free trial of Prime, visit: amazon.com/prime.



Amazon Prime Video & BBC One Announce Casting for New Psychological Thriller “Chloe”

Posted on by Danielle Langer





Amazon Prime Video & BBC One Announce Casting for New Psychological Thriller “Chloe”
Erin Doherty, Billy Howle, Pippa Bennett-Warner and Jack Farthing topline the six-episode series from Alice Seabright.
[via press release from Amazon]
ERIN DOHERTY, BILLY HOWLE, PIPPA BENNETT-WARNER, AND JACK FARTHING TO STAR IN BBC ONE AND AMAZON PRIME VIDEO THRILLER CHLOE

CULVER CITY, Calif. – April 20, 2021 – Filming has started in Bristol on Chloe, an original psychological thriller from Mam Tor Productions for BBC One and Amazon Studios. The six, one-hour episodes will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and will be available on Amazon Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

A mystery about obsession, deceit, identity and grief from creator and writer Alice Seabright (director, Sex Education), Chloe stars some of the UK’s hottest young acting talent including Erin Doherty (The Crown), Billy Howle (The Serpent), Pippa Bennett-Warner (Gangs of London), and Jack Farthing (Poldark).

The exciting young cast also unites Poppy Gilbert (Stay Close), Akshay Khanna (Grace), Brandon Micheal Hall (Search Party), and newcomer Alexander Eliot.

Having recently drawn critical acclaim for her portrayal of Princess Anne in The Crown, Doherty plays Becky. Still living with her mom and working as a temp, Becky compares herself to the picture-perfect lives on Instagram, compulsively returning to one account: Chloe’s (Gilbert). Becky obsessively watches her seemingly flawless life through social media. But when Chloe dies suddenly, Becky’s need to find out how and why leads her to assume a new identity and engineer a “chance” meeting with Chloe’s best friend, Livia (Bennett-Warner), and infiltrate Chloe’s group of close-knit friends.

Through her alter-ego Sasha, Becky becomes a powerful, transgressive heroine; a popular, well-connected “someone” with a life, and loves, that are far more exciting and addictive than the “no one” she is as Becky. However, the pretense soon obscures and conflates reality, and Becky risks losing herself completely in the game she is playing.

Alice Seabright says: “Becky is a complex, courageous heroine and there is no one better to play her than Erin. All these characters have been a dream to write, and it now feels like they’ve found their soulmates in our amazing cast. I can’t wait to start bringing the show to life with them, and with our wonderful crew. Thank you to the BBC and Amazon, to our brilliant writers, Kayleigh Llewellyn, Poppy Cogan, and Bolu Babalola, and to my partners in crime – the powerhouses Tally Garner and Morven Reid.”

Taking full advantage of Bristol’s rich cultural scene from the art to music, Chloe will also feature the work of artists local to the region, including an original score composed by Will Gregory (Goldfrapp) featuring Adrian Utley (Portishead) and Alison Goldfrapp.

Tally Garner, Executive Producer at Mam Tor Productions, says: “Alice is an exceptionally unique talent. She has built these characters from the ground up and we love them all so much. To see them come to life, played by such a phenomenally talented cast is beyond exciting. They are all amazing. Huge thanks to Ben Irving and Piers Wenger at the BBC, and to Cathy Payne and Simon Cox at Banijay Rights, who have been steadfast partners right from the start, and to the team at Amazon Studios for loving Chloe too, and taking her global. It’s going to be an addictive, emotional rollercoaster of a show.”

Ben Irving said: “It’s been a joy to watch these characters develop on the page through the incredible work of Alice and the whole creative team behind this drama. We couldn’t wish for a more exciting cast to be taking them on their onward journey to the screen. I can’t wait for audiences to meet them all on BBC One.”

Brad Beale, Vice President, Worldwide Licensing for Prime Video, said: “We’re excited to be working with the incredible Alice Seabright and this talented cast on this audacious thriller, Chloe, as well as the teams at BBC One and Mam Tor Productions. We look forward to bringing this gripping and potent series to our Prime Video customers.”

Chloe (6×60′) is a coproduction between BBC One, Mam Tor Productions and Amazon Studios, and was commissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama and Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer. It is created, written, and directed by Alice Seabright who also serves as an executive producer. The series producer is Joanna Crow (Giri/Haji) and second block director is Amanda Boyle (Skins). Executive producers are Tally Garner (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell) and Morven Reid (Pure) for Mam Tor Productions, and Ben Irving for the BBC.

Banjay Rights is the international distributor for Chloe, with the business’ Matt Creasey, EVP Sales and Acquisitions serving as broker of the exclusive worldwide SVOD deal with Amazon Studios.

About Prime Video

Prime Video offers customers a vast collection of movies, series, and sports – all available to watch on hundreds of compatible devices.

· Included with Prime Video: Watch movies, series and sports, including Thursday Night Football. Enjoy hits like Coming 2 America, The Boys, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Sylvie’s Love, Upload, and My Spy, as well as Emmy and Golden Globe winners Fleabag and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Golden Globe winner Small Axe, Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, and Academy Award nominees One Night in Miami… , Time, and Sound of Metal. Prime members also get access to licensed content.

· Prime Video Channels: Prime members can add channels like CBS All Access, BET+, EPIX, Noggin, NBA League Pass, MLB.tv, STARZ and SHOWTIME – no extra apps to download, and no cable required. Only pay for the ones you want, and cancel anytime. View the full list of channels available at amazon.com/channels.

· Rent or Buy: Enjoy new-release movies to rent or buy, entire seasons of current TV shows available to buy, and special deals just for Prime members.

· Instant access: Watch at home or on the go with your choice of hundreds of compatible devices. Stream from the web or using the Prime Video app on your smartphone, tablet, set-top box, game console, or select smart TV. For a complete list of compatible devices, visit amazon.com/howtostream.

· Enhanced experiences: Make the most of every viewing with 4K Ultra HD- and High Dynamic Range (HDR)-compatible content. Go behind the scenes of your favorite movies and TV shows with exclusive X-Ray access, powered by IMDb. Save it for later with select mobile downloads for offline viewing.

Prime Video is just one of many shopping and entertainment benefits included with a Prime membership, along with fast, free shipping on millions of Prime-eligible items at Amazon.com, unlimited photo storage, exclusive deals and discounts, and access to ad-free music and Kindle ebooks. To sign up or start a 30-day free trial of Prime, visit: amazon.com/prime.



Stellar Cast Confirmed for Major New Steven Moffat Drama “Inside Man,” for BBC One and Netflix

Posted on by Danielle Langer





Stellar Cast Confirmed for Major New Steven Moffat Drama “Inside Man,” for BBC One and Netflix
David Tennant, Dolly Wells and Lydia West will lead the cast of a major new thriller alongside Stanley Tucci.
[via press release from BBC]
Stellar cast confirmed for major new Steven Moffat drama Inside Man, for BBC One and Netflix

David Tennant (Des; Staged; Doctor Who), Dolly Wells (The Pursuit Of Love; Dracula; Can You Ever Forgive Me?) and Lydia West (It’s A Sin; Years And Years; Dracula) will lead the cast of a major new thriller from BAFTA and Emmy award-winning writer Steven Moffat (Dracula, Sherlock, Doctor Who), alongside Stanley Tucci (Feud; The King’s Man; Spotlight) in the title role of the Inside Man.
Produced by Hartswood Films for BBC One and Netflix, it will be directed by Paul McGuigan (Sherlock; Dracula; Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool).

The captivating four part mini-series follows a prisoner on death row in the US, a Vicar in a quiet English town, and a maths teacher trapped in a cellar, as they cross paths in the most unexpected way…

Husband and wife team Steven Moffat and Sue Vertue, executive producer for Hartswood Films, say: “We’re a bit stunned, and very excited, at the acting talent we’re managing to assemble for this show. Can’t wait to crawl out of our lockdown bunker and get to work.”

Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, says: “BBC One viewers will already know the television magic created when Steven Moffat writes for David, Dolly and Lydia. With the fantastic Stanley Tucci alongside them as our Inside Man, everything is in place for a series that will have the nation gripped.”

Chris Sussman, UK Original Series, Netflix says: “We’re delighted to team up with the BBC on another brilliant series from the ingenious mind of Steven Moffat. It’s impossible to say too much about Inside Man without giving away spoilers – so let’s just say the scripts are fiendishly clever, the cast is fantastic and at this point in time nobody but Steven knows how it’s going to end. We’re thrilled to continue our fruitful partnership with BBC One, BBC Studios and Hartswood Films and are excited about bringing this series to a global audience.”

Caroline Stone, Director of Independent Drama at BBC Studios, says: “We are very excited to be working once again with Hartswood Films, the BBC and Netflix to bring another fantastic series from Steven Moffat to audiences around the world. Inside Man is set to be an unmissable drama with a hugely talented line-up both on and off screen. From the very successful partnerships we’ve had in the past with Netflix, we are optimistic it will be another hit globally.”

Inside Man is a 4×60 drama for BBC One and Netflix. It is created and written by Steven Moffat, directed by Paul McGuigan, with Alex Mercer as producer. Executive producers are Sue Vertue for Hartswood Films and Ben Irving for the BBC. Chris Sussman will oversee for Netflix. It was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer, and Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama. BBC Studios are the international distributors and brokered the deal with Netflix.

The series will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and on Netflix outside of the UK and Ireland. Filming will take place later this year.



Amazon Prime Video Announces “A Very British Scandal” Starring Claire Foy and Paul Bettany

Posted on by Danielle Langer





Amazon Prime Video Announces “A Very British Scandal” Starring Claire Foy and Paul Bettany
The three, 60-minute episodes will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and will be available on Amazon Prime Video in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
[via press release from Amazon]
BBC One and Amazon Studios confirm Sarah Phelps’ A Very British Scandal, starring Claire Foy and Paul Bettany

CULVER CITY, Calif. – March 11, 2021 – Emmy and Golden Globe award-winner Claire Foy (The Crown, Wolf Hall) and BAFTA-nominated Paul Bettany (WandaVision, Uncle Frank, Avengers: Infinity War) will lead the cast of BBC One and Amazon Studios’ A Very British Scandal, from the makers of the multi-award winning and critically-acclaimed A Very English Scandal, Blueprint Pictures. The three, 60-minute episodes will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and will be available on Amazon Prime Video in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Written by Sarah Phelps (The Pale Horse, Dublin Murders), A Very British Scandal focuses on the divorce of the Duke (Paul Bettany) and Duchess of Argyll (Claire Foy), one of the most notorious, extraordinary and brutal legal cases of the 20th Century.

Famed for her charisma, beauty and style, Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, dominated the front pages as a divorcee featuring accusations of forgery, theft, violence, drug-taking, secret recording, bribery, and an explicit polaroid picture all played out in the white-hot glare of the 1960s media.

A Very British Scandal turns this scandal inside out in order to explore the social and political climate of post-war Britain, looking at attitudes toward women, and asking whether institutional misogyny was widespread at the time. As her contemporaries, the press, and the judiciary sought to vilify her, Margaret kept her head held high with bravery and resilience, refusing to go quietly as she was betrayed by her friends and publicly shamed by a society that revelled in her fall from grace.

Sarah Phelps said: “Writing the story of Margaret’s life and the events leading up to and including her divorce from the Duke has been a passion project of mine since 1993 when I first heard her name and started learning about her. I felt very strongly that she’d been punished for being a woman, for being visible, for refusing to back down, be a good girl and go quietly. This drama is my tribute to her.”

Claire Foy said: “I’m so excited to work with Anne, Sarah and Paul on this extraordinary project, and to explore through this story, how often shame, judgement and controversy surrounds a woman’s sexuality.”

Paul Bettany said: “I’m delighted to be working with the remarkable Claire Foy to tell the fascinating and scandalous story of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll and their very complicated lives. I’m also extremely happy to get the chance to once again be working with the wonderful teams at the BBC and Amazon Studios.”

Pete Czernin, co-founder of Blueprint Pictures said: “We’re thrilled to be able to bring together the uniquely brilliant voices of Sarah Phelps and Anne Sewitsky with the class of Claire Foy and Paul Bettany. Uniting their outstanding talents, A Very British Scandal will shine a new light on the scandalous divorce of Margaret Argyll for a 21st century audience.”

Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, said: “Argyll v Argyll was one of the defining scandals of the 1960s. In the face of vilification in the press, Margaret fought valiantly but often in vain to control the narrative around her. With the help of our incredible writer Sarah Phelps, director Anne Sewitsky, the perfect casting of Claire Foy and Paul Bettany and the team at Blueprint, we are delighted to be able to shine a new light on these events and reframe the life of this infamous character.”

Brad Beale, Vice President, Worldwide Licensing for Prime Video, said: “A Very English Scandal was a tremendous success among Prime Video customers and critics alike, and we’re incredibly excited to work with the BBC and Blueprint again. We can’t wait to see Claire and Paul bring the fascinating Duchess of Argyll Scandal to life.”

A Very British Scandal will be directed by Anne Sewitsky and produced by Chris Ballantyne. Executive Producers are Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Diarmuid McKeown and Delyth Scudamore for Blueprint Pictures, Lucy Richer for the BBC, Sarah Phelps, Anne Sewitsky, Claire Foy, Kate Triggs, and Dominic Treadwell-Collins. Amazon Studios is co-producing in the US. It was commissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, and Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer.

Filming will take place across the United Kingdom later this year. Further casting will follow in due course.

About Prime Video

Prime Video offers customers a vast collection of movies, series, and sports – all available to watch on hundreds of compatible devices.

· Included with Prime Video: Watch movies, series and sports, including Thursday Night Football, award-winning Amazon Originals, and other exclusives. Enjoy hits like Coming 2 America, The Boys, One Night in Miami… , Sound of Metal, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Sylvie’s Love, Upload, and My Spy, plus Emmy award-winners Fleabag and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Golden Globe award-winners Borat Subsequent MovieFilm and Small Axe. Prime members also get access to licensed content.

· Prime Video Channels: Prime members can add channels like CBS All Access, BET+, EPIX, Noggin, NBA League Pass, MLB.tv, STARZ and SHOWTIME – no extra apps to download, and no cable required. Only pay for the ones you want, and cancel anytime. View the full list of channels available at amazon.com/channels.

· Rent or Buy: Enjoy new-release movies to rent or buy, entire seasons of current TV shows available to buy, and special deals just for Prime members.

· Instant access: Watch at home or on the go with your choice of hundreds of compatible devices. Stream from the web or using the Prime Video app on your smartphone, tablet, set-top box, game console, or select smart TV. For a complete list of compatible devices, visit amazon.com/howtostream.

· Enhanced experiences: Make the most of every viewing with 4K Ultra HD- and High Dynamic Range (HDR)-compatible content. Go behind the scenes of your favorite movies and TV shows with exclusive X-Ray access, powered by IMDb. Save it for later with select mobile downloads for offline viewing.

Prime Video is just one of many shopping and entertainment benefits included with a Prime membership, along with fast, free shipping on millions of Prime-eligible items at Amazon.com, unlimited photo storage, exclusive deals and discounts, and access to ad-free music and Kindle ebooks. To sign up or start a 30-day free trial of Prime, visit: amazon.com/prime.

Blueprint Pictures Biography

London based Blueprint Pictures was founded in 2005 by Pete Czernin and Graham Broadbent.

Blueprint makes film and television for an international audience, including Martin McDonagh’s multi-award winning Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, featuring an Oscar-winning performance from Francis McDormand, and Sam Rockwell, and the BAFTA-nominated The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

In May 2018, Blueprint produced A Very English Scandal for television, which was broadcast on BBC One and Amazon Prime Video, written by Russell T Davies, starring Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw and directed by Stephen Frears. It has won multiple awards including four BAFTAs, an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a Critics Choice award.

In 2020, Blueprint released Emma, the Jane Austen classic, which received a Golden Globe nomination for Anya Taylor-Joy (Queen’s Gambit), and was directed by Autumn de Wilde.

Upcoming releases include A Boy Called Christmas, based on the best-selling book by Matt Haig, and directed by Gil Kenan, with cast including Jim Broadbent, Maggie Smith, Sally Hawkins and Kristen Wiig, and Last Letter From Your Lover, which stars Felicity Jones and Shailene Woodley, and is directed by Augustine Frizzell.



HBO Max And BBC One To Co-Produce JP Delaney’s THE GIRL BEFORE

Posted on by Danielle Langer





HBO Max And BBC One To Co-Produce JP Delaney’s THE GIRL BEFORE

Limited Series Stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw And Golden Globe® And Emmy® Nominee David Oyelowo

HBO Max and BBC One will co-produce the psychological thriller THE GIRL BEFORE, a four-episode limited series based on the global bestselling book of the same name, from 42 starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw (“The Morning Show,” “Misbehaviour”) and Golden Globe®, BAFTA, and Emmy®-nominated actor David Oyelowo (“Selma,” “Les Misérables”). Emmy nominated Lisa Brühlmann (“Killing Eve,” “Servant,” “Blue My Mind”) will direct.

Logline: THE GIRL BEFORE tells the story of Jane (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who gets the chance to move into a beautiful, ultra-minimalist house designed by an enigmatic architect (David Oyelowo). There’s just one catch: occupants have to abide by his list of exacting rules. Jane starts to feel the house changing her in unexpected ways but, when she makes the shocking discovery that her predecessor Emma died in the house, she’s forced to confront unnerving similarities. As the two women’s timelines interweave, Jane begins to question if her fate will be the same as the girl before…
Jeniffer Kim, senior vice president, International Originals, HBO Max quote: “We jumped at the chance to co-produce JP Delaney’s intricate mind twister, THE GIRL BEFORE, with the BBC and 42. With what will surely be stellar performances from the incomparable Gugu Mbatha-Raw and David Oyelowo, One Folgate Street is about to welcome new house guests from both sides of the pond.”

Gugu Mbatha-Raw quote: “I’m so excited to work with this amazing team on such a compelling story in my debut role as an actor and producer.”

David Oyelowo quote: “This story is mind bending in its clever construction and intricacy. I can’t wait to see it, let alone be in it. Plus, I’d go anywhere to work with my friend Gugu again.”

JP Delaney quote: “Having written for the screen in a previous career, it’s long been a dream of mine to adapt THE GIRL BEFORE, but I was determined to only do it if I could find partners who wanted to pursue high-quality, classy storytelling above all else. You really couldn’t get a more quality-focused line-up than 42, the BBC and HBO Max – and we’ve already attracted world-class talent in the shape of Lisa, Gugu and David. Psychological thrillers can be even more gripping on television than they would be as movies, and I’m incredibly excited to be re-telling this particular story in a visual medium. It’s also been great fun to collaborate on episodes two and three with a brilliant co-writer, Marissa Lestrade.”

Lisa Brühlmann quote: “Can our surroundings, like a special house, affect who we are, even change us? The ability to change our beliefs and our character is highly fascinating to me. I can’t wait to bring this female driven thriller to life.”

Eleanor Moran and Rory Aitken, executive producers for 42 quote: “We’re thrilled to have the chance to bring JP Delaney’s adaptation of his unforgettable bestseller to the small screen. Gugu Mbatha-Raw always brings such emotional complexity to her roles, and having an actor as accomplished as David Oyelowo as her co-lead is a dream come true. Lisa Brühlmann’s singular vision will add a whole other layer to the show. We can’t wait to introduce a global audience to the extraordinary secrets hidden behind the walls of One Folgate Street.”

Piers Wenger, director of BBC Drama quote: “The scripts JP Delaney has prepared for THE GIRL BEFORE are just as addictive and unputdownable as his riveting novel. To have Gugu and David leading the cast, Lisa Brühlmann directing and Marissa Lestrade co-writing episodes really underlines the quality of this production and I can’t wait to see One Folgate Street on screen.”
The limited series will stream in the U.S. on HBO Max and will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, with WarnerMedia also controlling rights for additional select territories around the world.
A global bestseller, “The Girl Before” has sold over one million copies since its publication in 2016. It is published by Quercus in the UK and Ballantine in the U.S.

Credits: Created, written and executive produced by JP Delaney, THE GIRL BEFORE is adapted from Delaney’s own best-selling novel of the same title. Additional executive producers include Eleanor Moran, Rory Aitken and Ben Pugh for 42, Ben Irving for the BBC, and Lisa Brühlmann. Rhonda Smith will produce and Gugu Mbatha-Raw is an associate producer. Marissa Lestrade (“White Stork,” “Deep State 2”) will co-write episodes of the series. ITV Studios is the international distributor and brokered the co-commission deal with HBO Max.

About Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Gugu Mbatha-Raw is an award-winning actor of the stage and screen. Her stage performances include “Hamlet,” alongside Jude Law in the West End, “Elsinore” in Denmark and Broadway, and “Nell Gwynn,” for which she was nominated for ‘Best Actress’ at the 2015 Evening Standard Theatre awards.

In film, Gugu has starred in “Larry Crowne” alongside Tom Hanks, as well as the period drama, “Belle,” for which Gugu won Best Actress at the 2014 BIFA Awards. She has also starred in “Concussion,” alongside Will Smith, “The Whole Truth,” starring Keanu Reeves and Renée Zellweger, “Miss Sloane” with Jessica Chastain, “Free State of Jones” with Matthew McConaughey and “Beauty and the Beast.” Additional roles include Disney’s ground-breaking blockbuster fantasy, “A Wrinkle in Time,” opposite Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon, “Cloverfield Paradox,” Stephanie Laing’s “Irreplaceable You,” “Fast Color,” “Motherless Brooklyn,” “Come Away,” “Misbehaviour” and “Summerland.”

In television, Gugu starred in “San Junipero,” an episode from the critically-acclaimed Netflix anthology series, “Black Mirror,” which won two Primetime Emmy® Awards. Gugu also starred in the fan favorite and award-winning Apple TV+ drama series, “The Morning Show.” Upcoming TV projects include “Seacole,” Marvel’s “Loki” on Disney+ opposite Tom Hiddleston, and “Surface,” an eight-part series written by Veronica West, which Gugu will also co-produce alongside Reese Witherspoon.

Outside of her acting credits, Gugu has recently become a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.

About David Oyelowo
David Oyelowo, a multiple Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Emmy-nominated actor and producer, is one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents. Oyelowo recently made his directorial debut with “The Water Man,” which premiered at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival to much critical acclaim, and will be released day-and-date in theaters and PVOD on May 7, 2021 by RLJE Films in the U.S., and by Netflix internationally later this year. Oyelowo stars alongside Lonnie Chavis and Rosario Dawson, as well as produces under his Yoruba Saxon banner with ShivHans Pictures and Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films.  This is the sixth film to be produced by his production company, Yoruba Saxon, along with prior films: “Come Away,” “A United Kingdom” and “Nightingale,” amongst others. Oyelowo can currently be seen in George Clooney’s “The Midnight Sky,” which was one of the most-watched titles on Netflix during the holidays and is on course to be watched by 72M households within its first four weeks.  Next, he will be seen in Lionsgate’s “Chaos Walking” with Daisy Ridley and Tom Holland, as well as, Sony’s “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway” with Rose Byrne and Domhnall Gleeson, both being released this year. Oyelowo is presently in production on Searchlight Pictures untitled murder mystery thriller, in which he stars alongside Saoirse Ronan and Sam Rockwell.   

Additional film credits include: “A United Kingdom,” “Queen Of Katwe,” “Selma,” “Interstellar,” “A Most Violent Year,” “Captive,” “The Butler,” “Lincoln,” “Don’t Let Go,” “The Middle of Nowhere,” “Jack Reacher,” “The Paperboy,” “Red Tails,” “The Help” and “The Last King Of Scotland.”

About 42
42 is a London and LA-based management and production company. Established in 2013, 42 produces films and television dramas, and represents an eclectic range of high-profile and emerging talent. 42’s television credits include the Emmy-award-winning animated miniseries “Watership Down” (BBC/Netflix), adapted by Tom Bidwell; Bash Doran’s spy thriller “Traitors” (C4/Netflix), starring Emma Appleton and Keeley Hawes; and “Wild Bill” (ITV) starring Rob Lowe. 42’s drama about the birth of football, “The English Game,” written and created by Julian Fellowes, is currently available on Netflix.

The company released “Military Wives” starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan in the UK and globally last year, and next up is Cold War thriller “The Courier” starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Rachel Brosnahan. Sci-fi action adventure “Outside The Wire,” starring Anthony Mackie and Damson Idris, recently opened on Netflix as its Number One film globally. Also for Netflix is Adam Randall’s “Night Teeth,” in post-production. The company is producing “The Silent Twins,” starring Letitia Wright and Tamara Lawrence, which will start shooting later this month.The company has a multi-year first-look development, financing and production deal with MGM for television. On the film side, 42 has a multi-year first-look development, financing and production deal with Netflix.



“Toast of Tinseltown” Confirmed for BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Posted on by Danielle Langer





“Toast of Tinseltown” Confirmed for BBC One and BBC iPlayer
The six-episode series succeeds “Toast of London,” which originally aired between 2013 and 2015.
[via press release from BBC]
Toast of Tinseltown confirmed for BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Matt Berry reprises his role of Steven Toast as he moves to Hollywood and attempts to become a movie star in a new six-part series coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Written and created by Arthur Mathews and Matt Berry and produced by Objective Fiction in association with wiip, Toast of Tinseltown (w/t) will feature a mix of new and returning cast members and is set to be filmed later this year.

The 6×30′ series stars Matt as Steven Toast, an eccentric and arrogant actor determined to win the recognition he mistakenly believes he deserves.

Three series of Toast Of London originally aired between 2013 and 2015, all written by Arthur and Matt, who scooped the Bafta Best Male Comedy Performance for his role.

Matt Berry says: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to not only be working with Arthur and the rest of the Toast family again, but to also be taking the show to the BBC which I know Toast himself would very much approve.”

Arthur Mathews says: “It was a thrill to be writing Toast again after a long gap. Hollywood is a brave new world for Toast. There will be triumphs and tribulations (but mostly tribulations – and indeed humiliations).”

Shane Allen, Controller of BBC Comedy Commissioning says: “This sitcom is one of the stand-out comedy gems of the last decade. His name belongs in the pantheon of celebrated British comedy character buffoons – Partridge, Brent and Toast.”

Ben Farrell, Chief Creative Officer, Objective Fiction, says: “I’m thrilled to be working with wiip and the BBC to bring Toast’s adventures to the ultimate actor’s playground – Hollywood!”

Further broadcast and casting details will be announced in due course.

Toast of Tinseltown (w/t) is an Objective Fiction production in association with wiip, created and written by Arthur Mathews and Matt Berry, commissioned by Shane Allen, Controller, BBC Comedy Commissioning and Kate Phillips, Acting Controller BBC One. The Executive Producers for Objective Fiction are Ben Farrell, Matt Berry and Arthur Mathews with Paul Lee and David Flynn acting as executive producers for wiip. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Kate Daughton.

Objective Fiction is part of Objective Media Group, an All3Media Company.

CM2



BBC One Announces “The Split” Is to Return for Third and Final Series

Posted on by Danielle Langer





BBC One Announces “The Split” Is to Return for Third and Final Series
Created and written by Abi Morgan, “The Split” is produced by Sister for BBC One and co-produced with Little Chick and SundanceTV.
[via press release from BBC]
BBC One announces The Split is to return for third and final series

Nicola Walker and Stephen Mangan reprise their roles for one last legal battle as Dee Koppang O’Leary boards as lead director

BBC One, SundanceTV and Sister are thrilled to announce that much-loved The Split, from Bafta and Emmy Award-winning writer Abi Morgan (River, Suffragette, The Hour) and Executive Producers Jane Featherstone (Chernobyl, Giri-Haji, Utopia), Lucy Dyke (The Split, Black Mirror, Ripper Street) and Lucy Richer (Small Axe, The Salisbury Poisonings, The A Word) is set to return for its third and final series.

The second series, which averaged over six million viewers and over 19 million streams, became the third most watched drama series on BBC iPlayer in 2020*. With Dee Koppang O’Leary (Bridgerton, The Crown) boarding as lead director, Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan, Annabel Scholey, Fiona Button, Deborah Findlay and Chukwudi Iwuji are all set to reprise their roles, with more casting to be confirmed.

Set in the fast paced, complex world of London’s high-end divorce circuit, The Split is an authentic, multi-layered, witty examination of modern marriage and the legacy of divorce. Following the messy lives of the three Defoe sisters, Hannah (Nicola Walker), Nina (Annabel Scholey) and Rose (Fiona Button) and their formidable mother Ruth (Deborah Findlay), Abi Morgan is set to conclude proceedings with the most dramatic and heartbreaking series to date, as we watch a divorce lawyer confronted with her own divorce.

Fans were left devastated as Hannah and Nathan’s (Stephen Mangan) formerly rock-solid marriage finally fell apart as the depth of Hannah’s betrayal was revealed. Ten months on, the two professional divorce lawyers have been respectfully negotiating their separation and seemed to have reached an amicable agreement. As she and Nathan begin to divide up their 20 years together, Hannah faces what she is about to lose. However, a shocking revelation dramatically changes the stakes. And, as the battlelines are redrawn, their dream of achieving the ‘good divorce’ is left in tatters.

As Hannah and Nathan prepare to go head to head in the legal fight of their lives, will they find a path through the wreckage, or is The Split simply too deep to repair?

Abi Morgan says: “It’s great to be back writing for the Defoe Family, and to dive once more into to the complications of their lives and those of their clients. In the final series of this bittersweet trilogy, Hannah faces the heartbreak of her own divorce, and the fight to save her family and her marriage. Siblings clash, past mistakes are exposed and hearts are broken as Noble Hale Defoe notches up more billable hours in the divorce capital of the world.”

Nicola Walker says, “I can’t wait to be back in the Defoe Family, we are all looking forward to the journey Abi has planned for us. I don’t know if Hannah will cling to the wreckage or walk away, but I do know it’s going to be a fantastic ride.”

Sister co-founder Jane Featherstone and Executive Producer Lucy Dyke say: “When Abi first came to us with The Split, she envisioned it as a trilogy. And it’s been a constant joy to work so closely with her to bring to life her beautifully truthful study of modern marriage.

“None of this, of course, would have been possible without the conviction and support of the BBC and AMC Networks who have always trusted the narrative and given total freedom to the way in which Abi wanted to tell it. We are so grateful to our wonderful cast for their passionate commitment across three series. We’re incredibly excited to be embarking on this final part of Hannah and Nathan’s story with Nicola, Stephen and all of the returning cast, and the brilliant Dee Koppang O’Leary on board as lead director. But be warned, there are going to be tears!”

Lucy Richer, Executive Producer for the BBC, says: “The Split is one of our most loved and most talked about drama series and we’re thrilled to be back in production with series three. As ever, Abi Morgan’s incredible writing sparkles with truth and honesty, wit and heartbreak. It is fantastic to be back with the Defoes, with Hannah and Nathan facing their biggest challenge yet – how to survive the break up of their marriage, and navigate their own divorce.”

Dan McDermott, president of original programming for AMC Networks, says: “With its incredible cast, addictive storytelling and insight into modern marriage, The Split has been extremely popular with SundanceTV and Sundance Now subscribers. We’re thrilled to work with our partners at Sister and BBC One on its highly anticipated final series.”

Created and written by Abi Morgan, The Split is produced by Sister for BBC One, co-produced with Little Chick and SundanceTV, and was re-commissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer BBC and Kristin Jones, EVP of international programming, AMC Networks. Series Three is executive produced by Sister Co- Founder Jane Featherstone (Chernobyl, Giri-Haji, Utopia), writer and creator Abi Morgan (River, Suffragette, The Hour), Lucy Dyke (Black Mirror, Ripper Street) and Lucy Richer (Small Axe, The Salisbury Poisonings, The A Word) for the BBC. Dee Koppang O’Leary (Bridgerton, The Crown) boards as the lead director with Emma Genders stepping into her first producing role. Casting continues with filming due to start in 2021.

The Split series one and two are available to view on BBC iPlayer.

*does not include continuing drama titles



BBC Two Commissions “Unsolved Histories with Lucy Worsley”

Posted on by Danielle Langer





BBC Two Commissions “Unsolved Histories with Lucy Worsley”
PBS will co-produce the four-part series, which will see historian Lucy Worsley turn sleuth by reopening and completely re-evaluating infamous mysteries.
[via press release from BBC]
BBC Two commissions Unsolved Histories With Lucy Worsley

Lucy Worsley will reinvestigate and reveal new evidence about some of British history’s biggest unsolved mysteries in a new four-part series for BBC Two from BBC Studios’ The Documentary Unit, co-produced by PBS.
Who killed the Princes in the tower in 1483? What actually caused the Black Death? Why did a witch craze sweep 16th century Britain? Was George III really mad?

These are some of the most enduring and perplexing questions that have baffled academics and fascinated history fans for years – and this new series will see historian Lucy Worsley turn sleuth by reopening and completely re-evaluating these infamous mysteries. The factual series will unfold like a thrilling investigation, keeping audiences guessing at every twist and turn.

In each episode Worsley will take a deep dive into a single event, mounting a comprehensive reinvestigation by assembling historical and contemporary evidence, following paper trails, re-examining scenes of crimes, tracking down lost records, and calling on the very best experts to help her reframe the past. She will reveal cutting-edge discoveries that will shed new light on the cases.

Unsolved Histories with Lucy Worsley (working title) puts a modern lens on the past, exploring if these incidents have been obscured by centuries of historical thinking. Each episode will bring a contemporary perspective to topical and complex societal issues asking how changing attitudes to children, gender politics, class, inequality and mental health have obscured the answers to these cases. It will uncover new victims and new victors, challenging our perceptions and providing answers to each renowned mystery.

Lucy Worsley says: “I’m thrilled to be revisiting some of the big-hitting stories from history that just keep sucking us in, and like everyone who works at the Tower of London, I just can’t wait to share the next twist in the tale of what we think we know about the ‘murder’ of the Bloody Tower’s ‘Little Princes’. But I also really love the fact that this isn’t just a series about the past. It’s also about what the past means today: an investigation of our own 2021 ideas about childhood, feminism, pandemics and mental health.”

Abigail Priddle, Commissioning Editor for the BBC, says: “With her enquiring mind and historical expertise, Lucy will strip back the layers of history to explore these renowned moments afresh, in search of a definitive answer to some of our most intriguing historical mysteries.”

Unsolved Histories with Lucy Worsley (working title) is a 4×60′ series for BBC Two and PBS and is being made by BBC Studios’ The Documentary Unit. It was commissioned by Patrick Holland, Controller BBC Two. The Commissioning Editor is Abigail Priddle and the Executive Producer is Julia Harrington. Bill Gardner is Executive in Charge for PBS.

SW2



HBO And BBC One Renew HIS DARK MATERIALS For A Third Season

Posted on by Danielle Langer





HBO And BBC One Renew HIS DARK MATERIALS For A Third Season

HBO and BBC One have renewed the drama series HIS DARK MATERIALS for a third season, it was announced today by Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming. Production on the eight-episode third season is slated to begin in Cardiff in 2021.

“Bringing Phillip Pullman’s epic, intricate and culturally resonant body of work to television has been a tremendous privilege,” said Orsi. “We thank our incredible partners at the BBC and the entire Bad Wolf team, led by the indefatigable Jane Tranter, for their exceptional work on the first two seasons. We look forward to completing the trilogy with this final chapter in Lyra’s journey.”

“It’s been a joy to see how HIS DARK MATERIALS has brought British TV audiences of all ages together on BBC One and BBC iPlayer,” said Ben Irving, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor, Wales. “Fans of Phillip Pullman’s incredible books, and newcomers alike, have been enthralled by adventuring with Lyra and Will through multiple worlds. We are thrilled that they will be able to continue their journey in a third series of this beautifully realized drama. Our thanks to our partners at HBO and the dedicated creative team at Bad Wolf for making a landmark series that will continue to be watched and enjoyed on the BBC for years to come.”

“HIS DARK MATERIALS has been a truly global TV experience and a personal career highlight,” said Executive Producer Jane Tranter. “The creative team at Bad Wolf in Cardiff made the impossible possible and brought Philip Pullman’s worlds into vivid life. To see that hard work and dedication applauded and embraced by fans around the world has made all the hard work worthwhile. None of this would have been possible without the wonderful commitment and conviction of the BBC and HBO. I am excited, thrilled and honoured to be making the third part of Philip Pullman’s trilogy with their support and encouragement. Diolch”

Adapting Philip Pullman’s award-winning trilogy of the same name, which is considered a modern masterpiece of imaginative fiction, HIS DARK MATERIALS returned for its seven-episode second season on November 16, 2020. The series follows Lyra (Dafne Keen), a seemingly ordinary but brave young woman from another world. Season two began as Lyra, distraught over the death of her best friend, embarks upon a journey in a strange and mysterious abandoned city. There she meets Will (Amir Wilson), a boy from our world who is also running from a troubled past. Lyra and Will learn their destinies are tied to reuniting Will with his father but find their path is constantly thwarted as a war begins to brew around them. Meanwhile, Mrs. Coulter (Ruth Wilson) searches for Lyra, determined to bring her home by any means necessary.

GQ called this season of HIS DARK MATERIALS “a towering success,” while Paste Magazine hailed it as “more epic than ever before.” Mashable praised the show’s “absorbing cast,” while Slashfilm called this season “essential viewing.”

HIS DARK MATERIALS will conclude its second season Monday, December 28 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. Season one and season two episodes to date are currently available to stream on HBO Max. Most HBO subscribers in the U.S. have access to HBO Max as part of their HBO subscription and can visit HBOMax.com for more details.
Season two series regulars include Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, Amir Wilson, Ariyon Bakare, Andrew Scott, Will Keen, Ruta Gedmintas and Lin-Manuel Miranda. New cast members this season included Terence Stamp, Jade Anouka and Simone Kirby.

HIS DARK MATERIALS is produced by Bad Wolf in association with New Line Cinema for BBC One and HBO. Executive producing the series are Jane Tranter, Dan McCulloch, Joel Collins and Julie Gardner for Bad Wolf; Philip Pullman, Jack Thorne, Tom Hooper; Deborah Forte, Toby Emmerich and Carolyn Blackwood for New Line Cinema; and Ben Irving for the BBC.