ITVS GE Dramas Fearless, Bancroft Land in France

Canal+ Group has acquired the ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) dramas Fearless and Bancroft for its free-to-air channel C8.

Fearless follows Emma Blunt (Helen McCrory), a solicitor who is investigating the killing of a schoolgirl and trying to free the man she thinks was wrongly convicted of the girl’s murder. She begins to sense that powerful forces in the police and intelligence services want to keep her from uncovering the truth. The 6×60-minute series was presented to international buyers for the first time at the MIPDrama Screenings. It is produced by BAFTA Award-winning Mammoth Screen, which is also behind Poldark and Victoria.

ITVS GE also secured an early commitment for the brand-new police thriller Bancroft, which began production last month. The 4×60-minute series is produced by the ITV Studios drama label Tall Story Pictures. It follows the story of DCI Elizabeth Bancroft (Sarah Parish) and DS Katherine Stevens (Faye Marsay).

In the U.K., Fearless has been commissioned by ITV, while Bancroft was ordered by ITV Encore.

Dan Gopal, the executive VP of EMEA distribution and global digital partners at ITVS GE, said, “We are delighted to have partnered with Canal+ in France on these two incredible dramas, and look forward to them launching on the C8 free-to-air channel. It is testament to the quality of the writing, and both the on- and off-screen talent of these productions, that C8 has committed to invest in both projects so early. We are confident that French audiences will be gripped by these two very compelling shows, which they will be able to enjoy across a number of platforms and devices.”