BBC ALBA’s The Island Finds New Partners

All3Media International has signed a host of new deals for BBC ALBA’s An t-Eilean (The Island), which has been renewed for a second season.

All3Media International has agreed to a pan-territory deal with Acorn Media for the U.S., English-speaking Canada and the Caribbean. A second pan-territory deal was signed with CANAL+, covering France, Africa and French-speaking Europe.

In further European deals, the series has been acquired by Antena TV (Romania), DR (Denmark), EITB (Basque Spain), Hellenic Telecommunications (Greece), RTBF (French-speaking Belgium and Luxembourg) and SVT (Sweden). The drama is also on SBS in Australia and Rialto Channel in New Zealand. Dazzler Media acquired DVD Rights for the U.K. and Eire, and Virgin Atlantic has secured in-flight rights.

Season two of An t-Eilean will continue to follow Kat Crichton, now a detective sergeant, as she is thrust into the hunt for a killer stalking the islands. Sorcha Groundsell (His Dark Materials, Shetland, The Innocents) returns as Kat, alongside Sam James Smith as Ruraidh Maclean.

An t-Eilean (The Island) is financed through a multi-partner funding structure supported by MG ALBA, BBC, Screen Scotland, Black Camel Pictures, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Comhairle nan Eielean Siar and All3Media International.

“It’s an honor to create the first high-end Gaelic drama, and we’re delighted that All3Media International is now introducing even more viewers to the exceptional talent, breathtaking landscapes and wonderful language of this part of the world,” said Arabella Page Croft, CEO of Black Camel Pictures. “It is always our ambition here at Black Camel in Scotland to make premium drama that appeals to a local network and global audience, and following the success of An t-Eilean (The Island) both at home and on the international stage, we look forward to returning another gripping instalment of our series.”

Maartje Horchner, executive VP at All3Media International, commented, “We’re very pleased to announce this extensive lineup of new deals for An t-Eilean (The Island). Delivering the perfect combination of tense crime story and enthralling family drama, all brought to screen by the talented team at Black Camel Pictures, this ambitious thriller has attracted a lot of attention among buyers, proving the strength in demand for premium minority-language drama in the global market. We’re looking forward to speaking to buyers about the second series at the upcoming London TV Screenings and hope this will be just the start of this incredible drama’s ongoing success story.”

“We’re delighted to have recommissioned this international award-winning show,” added Bill MacLeod, commissioning editor at BBC ALBA. “An t-Eilean will once again transport viewers to one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world with a taut and twisty story that will keep them on the edge of their seats until the final few frames.”

David Smith, director of Screen Scotland, said, “An t-Eilean delivered Gaelic drama to the world for the first time and has reached further than we could ever have anticipated. Series two will be another step forward, and while Screen Scotland rarely funds second or subsequent series, An t-Eilean has such cultural significance that we have been able to support it.”