AMC & Channel 4 Adapting Israeli Tech Dramedy

LONDON: AMC has come on board as a co-producer for Loaded, based on the Israeli series Mesudarim from Keshet International.

The eight-episode series follows four tech entrepreneurs and childhood friends who become multi-millionaires overnight. A co-production between AMC, Channel 4, Hillbilly Television and Keshet UK, Loaded will be an English-language version of the award-winning Israeli show created by Muli Segev and Assaf Harel.

Jon Brown (Veep, Fresh Meat) has signed on as writer and executive producer. Ian Fitzgibbon (Moone Boy, Raised by Wolves) will direct the first three episodes. The series will soon go into production and is slated to premiere on AMC and Channel 4 in 2017.

Loaded will star Mary McCormack (The West Wing, Deep Impact), Jim Howick (The Aliens, Horrible Histories), Samuel Anderson (Doctor Who, Trollied), Jonny Sweet (Babylon, Together) and Nick Helm (Uncle, Funny Valentines).

Phil Clarke, the head of scripted at Channel 4, said: “After such a successful collaboration on Humans, we’re thrilled to be partnering once again with AMC. Jon Brown is one of the most talented young British writers around, demonstrated by his ability to turn the dream of instant riches into the worst nightmare imaginable. We can’t wait to see the brilliant cast bring to life the motley crew at Idyl Hands. We’re so excited to be working alongside AMC, Hillbilly Television and Keshet UK on this hilarious, astute and timely comedy drama.”

“A smart and somewhat lighthearted look at all of the things that can go wrong when you’re suddenly very, very rich and very, very young felt like a perfect show for our times,” said Joel Stillerman, the president of programming at AMC and SundanceTV. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Channel 4 and Keshet International and to begin a new one with Hillbilly and the very talented writer, Jon Brown, director, Ian Fitzgibbon and this terrific cast.”

Kate Norrish and Polly Leys, producers at Hillbilly Television, said, “We’re delighted to be partnering with AMC, C4, Keshet UK and the fabulously talented Jon Brown on Loaded. It is a fresh, funny and pertinent take on four friends trying to cling on to the slats of their friendship in the eye of a hurricane of money and excess—and with this cast, it’s going to be one hell of a ride. Four freshly minted millionaires working alongside people who still have to bring in their lunch from home. An office of haves and have-nots. Like Downtown Abbey with nerds.”

Howard Burch, the head of drama at Keshet UK, said, “It’s so exciting to be teaming up again with our friends at AMC to bring Loaded to an even wider audience. Great comedies are an important part of the global market and it’s fantastic that AMC is joining us for the ride. Working with Jon, Ian and the Hillbilly team I have little doubt that Loaded will go on to make a fresh and hilarious, excess-laden splash.”