Smithsonian Channel Commissions New Series

WASHINGTON, D.C./LONDON, March 17: Smithsonian Channel has
commissioned The True Story, a new
five-hour co-production from Blink Films and Five.

The series investigates the real people and events behind
some of the most popular films and film characters of our time. Among the
characters explored are Indiana Jones; Ian Fleming and his creation, James
Bond; and Eliot Ness of the Untouchables,
among others. The series is produced by Lucy van Beek, with executive producer
Dan Chambers. Producer-directors are David Hickman, Russell England, Virginia
Quinn and Chris Mitchell. BBC Worldwide is handling distribution of the series.

Blink Films was formed in June 2007 by former Five
executives Justine Kershaw and Dan Chambers.

"We're delighted that one of Britain's most respected
producers, Dan Chambers, has brought us one of the first series from his new
company Blink Films," said David Royle, the head of programming and
production for Smithsonian’s new HD channel.

—By Ned Berke