Julian Fellowes’ Titanic Gets Go-Ahead for Production

LONDON: ITV Studios Global Entertainment, ITV Studios, Lookout Point, Global TV and ABC Television Network are on board for the TV event Titanic, written by Julian Fellowes, which is greenlit for production with number of broadcasters already on board.

ITV Studios Global Entertainment is the distributor on the project. The epic drama is being produced as a 2×90-minute and 4×1-hour mini-series. Filming will start in Hungary this spring. Among the broadcasters already slated to air Titanic are ABC in the U.S., ITV1 in the U.K., Channel Seven in Australia, Global in Canada, TV3 in Ireland, TVNZ in New Zealand, SIC of Portugal and SVT in Sweden. The event is scheduled to coincide with the centenary of the Titanic’s sinking and will simulcast on Global and ABC, followed closely by premieres in all other territories.

Maria Kyriacou, the managing director at ITV Studios Global Entertainment, commented, “The fantastic pedigree of the production talent behind this major series has generated huge interest from our global broadcast clients and we are very pleased to announce these new partners today. Providing a vividly different experience of the ship’s last hours alongside a definitive snapshot of what was a unique and uncertain moment in history—Titanic promises to be the must-see original drama for this landmark centenary anniversary and gripping prime-time content for audiences around the world.”

"Despite its legendary fate, on the whole, the Titanic remains a mystery to most, which explains the public’s never ending fascination," commented Barbara Williams, the senior VP of content at Shaw Media (Global). “From the vision of one of the industry’s finest writers, we’re able to delve a little deeper into the grey areas by way of the characters and their unique perspectives. This is an amazing collaboration with our Canadian producers and the international broadcasters, and a befitting tribute to this moment in history.”

Quinn Taylor of ABC Network added: “The tragic tale of the Titanic has retained a powerful hold on people around the world for almost 100 years, and this new miniseries will offer a compelling take on this epic, tragic story. We look forward to bringing this remarkable series to our viewers.”