Australian Deal for ITV’s The 39 Steps

LONDON: Australia’s ABC Television has landed the network premiere of BBC Television’s The 39 Steps from ITV Global Entertainment.

The 90-minute drama, based on the espionage novels by John Buchan, stars Rupert Penry-Jones (Spooks) as the dashing Richard Hannay. Produced by BBC Scotland in association with ITV Global Entertainment, the modern-day classic was originally brought to the screen by Alfred Hitchcock.

ABC Television additionally acquired Wuthering Heights, an adaptation of Emily Bronte’s novel. The project is executive produced by Mammoth Screen and ITV Global Entertainment.

Augustus Dulgaro, the senior VP of Australia, Japan and New Zealand for ITV Global Entertainment, said: “The 39 Steps is an exceptional piece of high-quality television drama, with proven ratings success. The 39 Steps received its world premiere in prime time on BBC One during the hyper-competitive 2008 Christmas season. Delivering over 35 percent of all premium demographic eyeballs, the drama scored number one with a 30-percent share of all viewers. We’re confident it’ll be equally as popular with ABC viewers.”

ITV Global is presenting The 39 Steps and its all-new lineup of high quality drama programming at MIPTV 2009. Further titles include The Prisoner, a reinterpretation of the iconic 1960’s cult classic, and The Take, a four-part adaptation of the best-selling crime thriller by Martina Cole.