BossaNova Presells Mysteries of…, Acquires New Title

BossaNova Media has presold Mysteries of… to SBS in Australia and Channel 4 in the U.K. and acquired the rights to a new history title.

Mysteries of… explores three phenomena: Stonehenge, sinkholes and the Loch Ness Monster. The episodes unpack their history and cultural impact before testing their various origin stories and theories. Using the latest science and research findings, a range of experts then discuss (and discard) the wilder speculations to offer plausible explanations for each mystery.

The series comes from Curve Media and is available in a 6×60-minute format or a 3×120-minute format.

BossaNova has also picked up the rights to Greatest Escapes of World War 2, produced by Australian indie Perpetual Entertainment for Sky History in the U.K. The six-parter looks into some of the most incredible escapes from POW camps during World War II. Each hour-long episode features three ingenious plots from both sides of the conflict.

“We’d love to say this fantastic Mysteries Of… project has come via a bit of magic and clever alchemy, but it’s simple practicality and industry reflecting how BossaNova can bring projects to reality in this era,” said Paul Heaney, CEO of BossaNova. “Curve already had something in early development that chimed with how SBS and Channel 4 wanted a series like this to look and feel. Who knows—if it works for all parties, there may be more.”

Peter Andrews, head of network programming television and online content at SBS Australia, said, “SBS Australia’s audience are fascinated by well-authored, well-researched ‘mystery docs’ like Mysteries Of…. Once we heard the amazing news that our friends at Channel 4 were also interested, we were pretty much at ‘greenlighting’ the project. I’m expecting this series to resonate really well with our core-history and factual-loving audience, the curious-minded audience, and across both linear & digital platforms.”

Regarding Greatest Escapes of World War 2, Heaney said, “Perpetual Entertainment has succeeded in delivering a fresh take on some of the most iconic stories of the Second World War.”