DRG Makes Drama Push with New Development Deals

LONDON: DRG has inked exclusive first-look deals with three British indies, all aimed at boosting its drama development roster.

One of the deals is with Three River Fiction (TRF), which focuses on creating high-end drama productions and popular returning series for U.K. and international broadcasters. The distributor will have first look on all new drama content and will provide the indie with international co-production expertise and global market support for TRF’s new developments.

The distributor secured an exclusive two-year worldwide development deal with Hillbilly Films & Television, responsible for Random (C4) and Holy Flying Circus (BBC) and the forthcoming Film4 feature film Second Coming. DRG’s investment in the company will see them provide international distribution support for all of Hillbilly’s titles, with a particular focus on scripted drama and comedy.

DRG also inked a two-year development deal with film and television production company Runaway Fridge Productions. The focus of this agreement will be on building strong new writer relationships and working with the production company to realize the development of projects.

Richard Halliwell, the chief operating officer at DRG, said: “We are committed to supporting the U.K. creative industries and in particular, content producers. Three River Fiction, Hillbilly Films and Runaway Fridge are exactly the type of producers that we are looking to work with—all have ambitious, high-end and original projects in development that have real international appeal and global scope. We look forward to working closely with all three companies on realizing their current projects, developing new ideas and taking their shows to global audiences.”