StarzPlay Takes Fremantle Package for MENA

StarzPlay has partnered with Fremantle to bring a collection of new dramas to viewers in the MENA region.

The agreement includes Euston Films’ crime series Baghdad Central, written and created by the BAFTA-nominated writer Stephen Butchard and based on the novel by Elliott Colla. Set in 2003, when Baghdad was occupied by U.S.-led coalition forces for six months, the thriller follows Iraqi ex-policeman Muhsin al-Khafaji who finds himself embarking on a wider quest for justice in a society that’s become truly lawless.

The deal also features the epic drama The Luminaries, starring Eva Green and Eve Hewson. Based on the Man Booker Prize-winning novel by Eleanor Catton, the series tells a story of love, murder and revenge, as men and women traveled across the world to make their fortunes.

The psychological thriller Dublin Murders is now available on StarzPlay in MENA. Adapted from Tana French’s first two novels in the Dublin Murder Squad crime series, the show is from Euston Films and is written and created by Sarah Phelps (And Then There Were None, The Casual Vacancy).

Maaz Sheikh, co-founder and CEO of StarzPlay, said: “Since we first launched, we have always retained a focus on the provision of in-demand, watchable content for our subscribers and this latest partnership is testament to that commitment. Responsible for some of the most viewed content in the world, we are excited about our latest partnership with Fremantle and look forward to unveiling future shows on the platform over the course of the year and beyond.”

“StarzPlay is one of the leading platforms in the MENA region for showcasing premium and in-demand programming, so we are proud to be partnering with them on these world-class dramas,” said Anahita Kheder, senior VP for the Middle East, Africa and Southeastern Europe, International, Fremantle. “At Fremantle, bringing bold and cutting-edge shows to the forefront has long been at the very core of what we do, and in this sense, we are very much aligned with StarzPlay’s goals, making them the perfect home for these high-end titles. Their audiences will soon be able to enjoy the compelling characters and powerful storylines that these series offer.”