ZDFE to Rep Bryncoed’s The Athena

ZDF Enterprises (ZDFE) has come on board to internationally distribute Bryncoed Productions’ tween drama The Athena, which has already been presold into the U.K.

Bryncoed Productions, Foz Allan’s newly launched scripted company, presold The Athena to Sky Kids in the U.K., marking its first commission for a tween series. Slated for transmission in spring 2019, the live-action series will be produced by Bryncoed in association with Sky Kids.

The partnership marks ZDFE’s second collaboration with Allan following their success working together with Wolfblood.

Arne Lohmann, the VP of ZDFE.junior, said, “We are delighted to work again with Foz Allan on The Athena. Children all over the world will fall in love with Nyela and her friends, especially as this show goes below the surface of the superficial fashion world.”

Lucy Murphy, the head of kids content for the U.K. and IRL at Sky, commented, “We had been looking for the right drama for our 9 to 12 tween audience and when Foz brought in The Athena, we were immediately captivated by the rich drama offered by this creative environment, British cast and the high production values Bryncoed could bring. It’s an ambitious project, but we know our tween audience will love the characters and as they navigate that tricky transition to secondary school, will value the storylines of learning to be independent, friendships and finding their own voice.”

Holly Philips (Dance Academy 2), who serves as lead writer on the series, remarked, “Young people are increasingly being told to be more practical and sensible. But in The Athena, I get to tell stories about young people expressing themselves, changing, growing and being creative. I love that.”

Allan added, “Helping young people, particularly girls, to discover their own voice is not only exciting, but important. In the case of The Athena, it’s also helped to attract first-rate talent to the project—names of the caliber of production designer Janice Flint and Poldark DoP Cinders Forshaw. The Athena has a ‘Euro cool’ feel to it, making it a significant addition to the tween live-action drama slate. We can’t wait to put the cool into creativity and craft.”