Beyond to Introduce Body Donors: Life After Death at MIPCOM

LONDON/CANNES: Beyond Distribution is prepared to launch the documentary Body Donors: Life After Death at MIPCOM.

The two-part documentary exposes the little-known world of body donation to medical science. This marks the first time Beyond has worked with producers Daisybeck Studios and GroupM Entertainment. The documentary is slated to premiere on Channel 5 in the U.K. today at 9 p.m. It follows Mike Bowyer and Diana King, who decided to donate their bodies to medical science. Body Donors: Life After Death introduces viewers to their families and brings them along as the bodies are used by anatomy students and surgeons.

Caitlin Meek-O’Connor, the head of acquisitions at Beyond, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Daisybeck and GroupM on this title. The stories told and the access granted are truly unique and the series is hugely affecting. It’s such an important subject and inspires discussion about the very essence of what it means to be human.”

Paul Stead, the managing director at Daisybeck Studios, commented: “We spent over ten years developing this project, securing the access and finding a broadcaster in Britain brave enough to commission the idea. Believe me, it was worth the wait and I doubt I will ever have the privilege to follow quite such incredible journeys as these again in my career.”

In addition, Beyond’s MIPCOM slate includes Love It or List It UK, the first format produced out of the original series that is now in its sixth season. “This property is so versatile that it lends itself to assorted local versioning, and it has an incredible amount of episodes that can be licensed that are already complete,” said Munia Kanna-Konsek, Beyond’s head of sales. The stars of Love It or List It UK are set to join Beyond Distribution at MIPCOM to help promote the show.

The company’s catalogue also includes Chasing Monsters, in which the host seeks out colossal and dangerous underwater creatures in the most remote corners of the planet, and Mountain Rescue, about a squad trained to rescue people who have been hurt or critically injured on one of the world’s most deadly peaks.

“Beyond is celebrating 30 years in the business at MIPCOM,” added Kanna-Konsek. “We have grown greatly with an emphasis on quality programming and maintaining wonderful relationships.”