Black Widows Being Remade in Ukraine

DRG’s scripted format Black Widows has landed a deal with STB in Ukraine.

The 12×1-hour Ukrainian version is being made for STB by affiliate Star Light Media Productions. Based on the original series from Finland, which ran to two seasons, it will be the seventh international remake following existing versions in Estonia, Lithuania, the Middle East, Mexico, Scandinavia and the Czech Republic.

The series is currently under license to Zespa Media in China and has also been optioned by Big Synergy in India.

Adam Barth, DRG’s commercial director, commented: “We are thrilled that Black Widows continues its march and is now being remade locally in the Ukraine. Its huge success as a scripted format is down to a clever yet simple idea, one that is instantly relatable and covers universal themes in a compelling way. And of course, it is incredibly well written.

“At a time when everyone is looking for the big new drama, Black Widows serves as a brilliant reminder that great scripted content can be found in many countries around the world, not just the U.S. and U.K. Sometimes the cultural nuances or perspective of another territory can put a unique take on a storyline and, as with this series, really deliver an idea that proves fresh and exciting—in addition to it already being tried and tested.”