Russian Version of Prison Break in the Works

LOS ANGELES/MOSCOW: Channel One Russia is partnering with Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution for its own version of Prison Break, signing up for a full 22 episodes.

Channel One has commissioned Red Square Cinema and Russian Project Studio to produce the show. A team of producers and writers has been assembled and casting is under way for a tentative fall launch. Executive producers include Konstantin Ernst and Denis Evstigneev, while Andrei Malyukov will direct and Youri Korotkov will act as chief writer.

“Prison Break has been one of this studio’s signature franchises both in the U.S. and abroad and we are excited that it will take on a new life in this Russian version,” said Twentieth Century Fox Television chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden in a joint statement. “It goes to prove what we’ve always believed at the studio—that great storytelling and big ideas will always attract audiences, no matter what culture or country.”

Kontantin Ernst, Channel One Russia’s general director and series executive producer, said, “Prison Break is one of the best series of the past decade. We have been following the success of the show for many years, and now with our long-term partner Twentieth Century Fox we would like to offer our viewers the local version. We always try to create television that can not only deliver the biggest ratings, but is of the highest order of quality and intelligence. We believe that the Russian version will resonate perfectly with our audience.”

Channel One has acquired a number of Fox shows in the past, including 24, Lie to Me, Modern Family, White Collar and Life on Mars.