Bravo U.K. Commissions New Fact Ent. Series

LONDON: Following its rebrand earlier this year, Bravo in the U.K. has ramped up its original programming, with its latest addition, Kung Fu Street Fighters (working title), commissioned from Optomen Television.

The 6×1-hour factual entertainment series has taken more than a year to make and develop. The show is filmed on location in the U.K. and Hong Kong. It spotlights how the ancient discipline of kung fu meets the hard-core street culture of modern Britain. Shaolin monk and martial arts master Matthew Ahmet mentors a group of young men and women from inner-city estates from across the U.K. to teach them self-control, respect and restraint. The idea is to present an alternative lifestyle from violence, crime, drugs and underachievement.

Sophie Wurzer-Williams, Bravo’s commissioning editor, said, “As soon as this project was pitched to me last year, I knew this was an extraordinarily ambitious idea but one we just had to do. Meeting Matthew was the clincher, his skill and passion for this project were overwhelmingly clear, he is definitely an inspirational role model."

Mark Sammon, the head of commissioning for The LIVING TV Group, commented, “This commission demonstrates our ongoing commitment to risky, ambitious and eye catching factual content, tackling crime and social issues in a uniquely Bravo way.”

Ahmet said, "I want to show these kids that the choices they make effect not just their lives, but those of their families and others around them. The goal of life—happiness—is in their hands and only they are responsible for reaching out and finding it.”