Tern Commissioned for Returning Scottish Series

Zinc Media Group’s Tern has been commissioned to produce additional seasons of two series for BBC Scotland, including Scotland’s Sacred Islands with Ben Fogle.

In the second season of the series, broadcaster and adventurer Ben Fogle will continue to explore the connection between beautiful landscapes and spiritual belief across several islands. He will celebrate each place he visits, meeting the locals and learning how each island’s unique religious history is woven into today’s community.

In addition to airing on BBC Scotland, the show also airs on BBC One and iPlayer. It will return with the new season later this year. The show is distributed by DCD Rights.

Tern has also been commissioned to produce Martin Compston’s Northern Fling, which will see the Line of Duty actor and his best friend Phil McHugh go on a Northern adventure from Shetland through Norway. It is a sequel to Martin Compston’s Scottish Fling, which followed the duo around Scotland.

It is set to air on BBC Scotland, BBC Two and iPlayer later this year, and is distributed by TVF International.

David Marshall, head of entertainment at Tern, said: “Making series where big-name talent do counterintuitive things is what Tern is known for, and we are pleased to have secured another series with Martin and Ben, both household names who are able to disarm contributors and make audiences feel they are part of their adventures.”

Harry Bell, managing director of Tern, added: “Tern’s strength is in bringing Nations stories to the Network, as well as marrying top talent with their passions, so these commissions sit perfectly in our sweet spot. Not only that, returnable series form the foundation of our business and allow us to continue to grow and evolve.”

Steve Allen, commissioning editor at BBC Scotland, said: “Viewers loved these series, though they each brought something very different to the table. Martin and Phil’s irrepressible sense of fun, based on their solid friendship, delighted viewers as they travelled across Scotland. While Ben’s serenity as he took a spiritual island tour, with the backdrop of fantastic scenery, engaged people in a different way, but again was very much taken to viewers’ hearts. We are delighted that these wonderful wanderers are returning to BBC Scotland and BBC Network for new series.”