Douglas is Cancelled Presells to ARTE

BBC Studios has presold Hartswood Films’ comedy drama series Douglas is Cancelled, written by Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Dracula, Sherlock), to ARTE in France and Germany.

The four-part series stars Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Paddington) as respected news presenter Douglas and Karen Gillan (Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Who) as his sharper, savvier co-anchor. When Douglas makes an ill-advised joke at his cousin’s wedding, a fellow guest overhears him and threatens to expose his comments on social media.

During the ongoing digital storm, Douglas’s alleged indiscretion is dissected, analyzed and blown out of proportion. Douglas struggles to escape the controversy and wonders if he can count on the support of his agent and colleagues.

The cast also includes Ben Miles (Hijack, The Crown), Alex Kingston (A Discovery of Witches, Treason), Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso, Intelligence) and Simon Russell Beale (Firebrand, Thor: Love and Thunder). It is set to air in the U.K. on ITV1 and ITVX. It is produced in association with SkyShowtime, which will broadcast the series across European markets such as the Nordics, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands.

Douglas is Cancelled forms part of the content slate that BBC Studios plans to unveil at its annual showcase. Other highlights from the upcoming slate are Firebird Pictures’ The Jetty, a four-part crime thriller starring Jenna Coleman (Wilderness, The Serpent); season two of House Production’s Sherwood; season two of Two Cities and Gallagher Films’ Blue Lights; Various Artists Limited’s Spent, starring Michelle de Swarte (The Baby); season nine of Inside No.9; and season three of Mandy, written and directed by Diane Morgan, who also stars. A number of factual titles are also on offer.

“We are thrilled to announce a diverse and compelling content slate for BBC Studios Showcase 2024 that has been developed to meet the needs of our wide-ranging, global client base,” said Rebecca Glashow, CEO of BBC Global Media & Streaming. “We have continued to evolve our Showcase event based on a deep understanding of our client’s content needs. Showcase 2024 will feature a curated agenda with exclusive previews and insights so that each customer has an unrivalled and unique experience. We can’t wait to welcome clients and partners once again to Showcase this February.”