CBS Studios Inks First-Look Deal with Stampede Ventures

CBS Studios has reached a first-look agreement with the recently launched Stampede Ventures International, a division of Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures.

Per the pact, Stampede Ventures and CBS Studios will focus on sourcing, acquiring and developing premium scripted content for the international market that is creatively anchored outside the U.S. JP Sarni, who heads up international content and worldwide content acquisitions for Stampede Ventures, is developing book properties, original concepts and other IP for local- and English-language production.

The slate represents projects from 15 countries, including Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Mexico, South Africa and the U.K. One of the first projects in the partnership will be the series adaptation of Ragnar Jónasson’s best-selling book The Darkness. An eight-episode crime drama set in Iceland, The Darkness centers around Hulda Hermannsdottir, a detective who is bracing for retirement but is blindsided when she’s told she has two weeks to clean out her desk months earlier than expected. In the meantime, she’s given a cold case that finds her reviewing the files about a young Russian woman who washed up on a remote Icelandic beach that make her begin to question those closest to her.

Meghan Lyvers, senior VP of international co-productions and development at CBS Studios, said: “It is a remarkable opportunity for CBS Studios to partner and develop global content with Stampede Ventures, as we continue to build on our existing international slate. Wonderful content will always stand out, regardless of origin, and The Darkness is a reflection of that fact. We are confident this is the first of many projects in this new partnership with Greg and JP.”

Sarni said: “We are ecstatic to be working with Meghan and the team at CBS Studios. This new relationship will develop and curate international series from top writers, directors, producers and talent. It’s a real opportunity to give voice to local stories that we can celebrate with both traditional broadcasters and streamers.”