LONDON: Scream Queens is headed to the U.K., where it will debut on E4 this fall. Scream Queens is from award-winning creators Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Horror Story), Brad Falchuk (Glee, American Horror Story) and Ian Brennan (Glee). It stars Emma Roberts (American Horror Story: Freak Show), alongside Jamie Lee …
World Screen
J.K. Rowling Mystery Part of BBC One’s New Drama Commissions
September 23, 2015
LONDON: BBC One has announced a range of new comedy, drama and factual commissions for its fall/winter season, among them an adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s mystery novels The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm. Those books, which were published under the pen name Robert Galbraith, will be turned into the series …
Tony Hall Addresses Creative Industries Federation
September 24, 2015
LONDON: In a speech delivered by Tony Hall to the Creative Industries Federation today, the BBC's director-general said that he wants to see the organization in the next decade "be a magnet for creativity." Hall asserted that the BBC’s "job is to discover and invest in the best British creative …
Two More Seasons of Taskmaster for UKTV’s Dave
September 24, 2015
LONDON: UKTV has ordered second and third seasons of Taskmaster, a popular comedy series led by Greg Davies and Alex Horne, for its entertainment channel Dave. Taskmaster looks on as Davies assigns a variety of wacky challenges to a group of comedians, with Horne serving as his right-hand man. The …
Various Genres Form ZDF Enterprises’ MIPCOM Slate
September 24, 2015
MAINZ: Drama, entertainment formats and factual series are some of the genre highlights ZDF Enterprises is set to present at MIPCOM. ZDFE.drama’s lineup is led by the third season of Bron/Broen (The Bridge), which has been sold to more than 160 countries all over the world. Another Scandinavian thriller is The …
New Development & Acquisitions Consultant for Novovision
September 24, 2015
PARIS: Novovision has appointed industry veteran Valérie Seban as a consultant for its development and acquisitions department. In her new role, Seban will oversee the company’s hidden-camera and format initiatives. She will also be charged with managing publicity. Seban will report directly to the company’s CEO, François-Xavier Poirier. Seban has …
CTC Media to Sell 75 Percent Stake to UTH Russia
September 25, 2015
MOSCOW: Russia's CTC Media has agreed to sell a 75 percent interest in its operating businesses to UTV-Management, which is an affiliate of UTH Russia, for $200 million in cash. The board of directors of CTC Media will recommend that the company’s stockholders approve the transaction at a special meeting …
DRG to Rep BBC’s Upcoming Tracey Ullman’s Show
September 25, 2015
LONDON: DRG has picked up the international distribution rights for the upcoming BBC series Tracey Ullman's Show, an original comedy sketch program. Tracey Ullman's Show will present the titular comedienne's observation of modern life. The 6×30-minute series will feature celebrity impressions and returning comedy characters that the award-winning actress is …
BBC iPlayer Commissions First Original Feature Film
September 25, 2015
LONDON: The Rack Pack marks the first-ever feature film to be made exclusively for the BBC iPlayer. Produced by Zeppotron, the film stars Luke Treadaway (Fortitude, Clash of the Titans), Will Merrick (About Time, Skins), Kevin Bishop (The Kevin Bishop Show, A Few Best Men), Nichola Burley (Death Comes To …
Red Arrow International Unveils MIPCOM Highlights
September 25, 2015
MUNICH: Next month in Cannes, Red Arrow International plans to present a variety of formats and scripted series, including the new espionage thriller The Romeo Section. CBC Canada's The Romeo Section comes from acclaimed showrunner Chris Haddock (Boardwalk Empire). Other scripted titles from the Red Arrow catalogue include Cleverman, a …