Thirteen Gets Japanese Treatment

BBC Studios and Tokai Television Broadcasting Co. have inked a format deal for the psychological drama miniseries Thirteen.

The local version will be written by Taeko Asano and debuts on June 6 on the Fuji TV Nationwide Network across Japan. Thirteen focuses on a young woman’s life in pieces after 13 years in captivity. Nanami Sakuraba will star in the Japanese version.

Keisuke Tohyama, producer at Tokai TV, commented: “We are excited about this new partnership with BBC Studios by licensing this bold and creative British format. Remaking Thirteen is a significant step for us, as we will be exploring taking local versions of original British drama to Japanese audiences to meet their changing viewing habits and to explore more business opportunities. After the successful remake of Orphan Black – 7 Genes, Thirteen will be the second remake from BBC Studios drama for Tokai TV. Our direct partnership with BBC Studios gives us one step further and we believe that this thriller will be another great success, giving chills down the spines of many Japanese viewers. We won’t let you go to bed without watching this show on Saturdays.”

Geo Lee, BBC Studios’ senior VP and general manager for Northeast Asia, commented: “BBC Studios has an impressive range of formats for programs that have been successful in the U.K. and which can also be successful in this region. We aim to artfully combine BBC Studios’ creativity and boldness with the Asia TV industry’s realism and inclusivity. With the support of our partners Tokai TV, I’m pleased to say that this deal for Thirteen marks the stability and maturity of our format licensing in Asia, and particularly in Japan.”