MTV Picks Up Plain Jane Original & Format

NEW YORK: MTV International is to produce its own English-language version of the reality makeover series Plain Jane from Sony Pictures Television’s (SPT) 2waytraffic, while also taking on the original U.S. version for multi-territory broadcasts.

MTV International is set to air the 6×1-hour U.S. version, produced for The CW by SPT, in the U.K., Europe, Asia and Australia. The newly commissioned MTV treatment will be run as an 8×1-hour series, with production set for spring in a number of major international cities, including London, New York, Paris and Rome. It will be produced for MTV by Gogglebox Entertainment. Executive producers are Mat Steiner and Adam Wood (for Gogglebox) and David Booth, Andrea Speziale-Bagliacca and Ilya Colak-Antic (for MTV International). The original U.S. version featured British fashion expert Louise Roe (MTV’s The City), as mentor for these ordinary "Janes" who are in need of a transformation. Roe is also on board for the new MTV format.

“Plain Jane reflects our audience’s tastes and core attributes that translate well internationally, such as fashion, life transformation and love, to a really engaging and standout host,” said David Booth, the senior VP of MTV content and programming for MTV Networks International. “We are implementing this two-pronged launch strategy for the series—first rolling out the original series to introduce our audience to Louise, followed by our newly produced international version—to create an even deeper local audience connection.” 
 
“Plain Jane is the kind of format that travels so well,” added Kees Abrahams, the president of international production at Sony Pictures Television. “Its proven success in the U.S., both with critics and viewers, combined with the universal themes, give broadcasters everything they need for success.”