Channel 4 Makes Raft of Commissions

LONDON: New programming has been commissioned by Channel 4 across a range of genres, spanning factual, drama and comedy, alongside the channel acquiring the U.S. version of The Killing.

Channel 4 acquired the rights to seasons one and two of Twentieth Century Fox Television’s version of The Killing, which is currently airing on AMC in the U.S. The show is based on a Danish drama, Forbrydelsen, which centers on the murder of a young girl and follows the subsequent police investigation. Jay Hunt, C4’s chief creative officer, said: "This intense, atmospheric crime thriller redefines the genre and sits perfectly alongside Channel 4’s stable of award-winning, critically-acclaimed U.S. shows."

In the way of commissioned content, Channel 4 ordered the factual program Drugs Live. The science series looks at the effects of illegal drugs and alcohol on the body. A four-parter, from Renegade Pictures, Drugs Live will explore how addictive different substances are and examine what they do to the human body, both in the long and short term.

The political thriller Coup is from Charlie Brooker (Dead Set) and Robert Jones (Lennon Naked, Party Animals). The four-part series explores the relationship between a democratically elected government, big business and the banks. Produced by Company Pictures/Newscope Films, Coup is based on the novel A Very British Coup by Chris Mullin.

Brooker is also behind the new dark comedic drama Black Mirror. The three-part series, from Zeppotron, an Endemol company, spotlights three separate "what if" stories of how technology has transformed nearly every aspect of our lives.

A first for Channel 4 is the commission of an animated comedy, with Happy Families. The British satire on suburban life is a six-part series from Rough Draft, the company behind The Simpsons Movie.

Channel 4 is also boosting its digital slate, with a cross-platform specialist factual commission. The Food Hospital looks at the science behind using food as medicine. Patients suffering from a range of ailments will be prescribed specific diets to find out if their health problems can be solved by altering the food they eat.

Hunt commented, "I believe Channel 4’s future lies in pieces that take risks. Risks on new talent, risks on difficult subject areas, risks with style and execution. It’s more important than ever that Channel 4 is prepared to challenge the status quo, to provoke debate and, above all, to be brave."