Boat Rocker & Deadpan Pictures Producing Video Nasty

Boat Rocker has teamed up with Ireland’s Deadpan Pictures to produce the comedy drama Video Nasty for BBC Northern Ireland, BBC Three, Virgin Media Television and WDR.

Set in 1985, the six-part series will tell the story of three mostly normal but slightly weird teenagers who go on a quest to complete their cult VHS collection. In the process, they get mixed up in a murder investigation and become chief suspects and public enemies.

Production for Video Nasty is set to begin in April, with filming taking place in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It is being produced with Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann. Boat Rocker will handle international distribution of the series.

Video Nasty is written and created by Hugh Travers (Your Mother Should Know, Red Rock). Christopher Smith (Spy/Master, Triangle) and Megan K. Fox (Too Good to be True) are directing.

“We’re excited to work with the fantastic team at Deadpan Pictures and our wonderful commissioning partners at the BBC, Virgin Media Television and WDR to bring audiences back to 1985 for an unforgettable quest full of adventure, love and true friendship,” said Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier, co-executive chairmen for Boat Rocker Media and co-chairmen for Boat Rocker Studios.

Ailish McElmeel, co-founder and producer at Deadpan Pictures, commented, “Deadpan are delighted to work with Hugh Travers and Julie Baines again, and with veteran director Christopher Smith at the helm, Video Nasty is sure to be a horror-filled treat for BBC, Virgin Media Television and WDR audiences early next year.”

“With a perfect mix of ’80s nostalgia, dark humor and murder mystery, this coming-of-age story takes a very exciting approach to issues more relevant today than ever before,” added Sinéad Stimpfig, head of commissioning and acquisitions at Virgin Media Television. “As funny as it is suspense filled, this story of three ‘mostly normal’ Irish teens is anything but normal, and Virgin Media Television are delighted to be on board to bring it to Irish audiences.”