FME Picks Up Australian Crime Drama

LONDON, August 19:
FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has acquired the distribution rights to Nine
Network Australia’s new crime drama The Strip.

FME has worldwide rights
to the series, excluding Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The Strip, produced by New Wave Entertainment’s Steve
Knapman and Kris Wyld, will premiere later this year in prime time on Nine
Network Australia. Each of the hour-long episodes features a self-contained
crime story centered on a small detective unit headed by inspector Max Nelson,
played by Frankie J. Holden (Underbelly).

David Ellender, the CEO of FME, said, “The Strip has everything an international drama
needs—great story lines, a strong cast and an amazing setting. Australia
is fast becoming a hot bed for explosive new drama that the world wants to see
and we’re taking full advantage.”

Jo Horsburgh, the head of
drama for Nine Network, added, “The Strip is a great, new Australian drama. Terrific cast and good stories,
it’s entertainment with broad audience appeal and we are excited to be working
with FME in taking this series into the global marketplace.”

—By Jackie Stewart