Alibi has co-commissioned a second season of the Black Camel detective drama "Annika" with US broadcaster Masterpiece and All3Media International. “We are delighted to be setting sail with our brilliant partners UKTV, Black Camel Pictures and Masterpiece for a second series of Annika," David Swetman, SVP content and commercial strategy at All3Media International said. "A compelling, unique detective drama, Annika is an exciting addition to our bestselling sleuth/detective slate, and we’re thrilled the first series has already sold to such a number of renowned international partners - it’s a testament to the hard work of the whole Annika team. I’m excited for audiences to see the new cases and adventures we have in store for series 2.”
The UKTV Original six-part series has been commissioned by senior drama commissioner Philippa Collie Cousins with head of scripted Pete Thornton, and ordered by Alibi channel director Emma Ayech. Richard Watsham is director of commissioning for UKTV, and Adrian Willis is genre general manager for drama and lifestyle. Arabella Page Croft and Nicole Fitzpatrick are executive producers for Black Camel Pictures, and Kieran Parker is the series producer.“I’m thrilled to get the team back together on a second series of this refreshing, character led crime drama," Philippa Collie Cousins said. "Nicola has such an authentic approach, she brings the character of Annika to life in a unique way and, by breaking the fourth wall with conviction and wit, she adds both real depth and laugh out loud moments. The first series stole the audience’s hearts, and the second series will too!”
All3Media International also announced that further sales across three continents, including sales to France Televisions Outre Mer 1ère, Sky Deutschland has taken the series in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland in a first window deal and ZDF has acquired a second window deal for Germany. Additionally, the series has travelled to AXN in Spain (Sony Pictures Television Networks), Warner Bros. Discovery in Italy where it will air on free television owned channel Giallo, RSI in Italian-speaking Switzerland, Siminn hf in Iceland, HRT in Croatia and COSMOTE in Greece.
Outside of Europe, BritBox has also acquired Annika in South Africa and Australia. In the latter territory the platform has taken the second window, following the series’ Australian premiere on ABC. Sky New Zealand has also acquired the series and ABC Commercial has signed a home entertainment deal covering Australia and New Zealand, whilst WOWOW has taken rights in Japan. “The response to this series has been incredible – Alibi viewers have really embraced the dry humour of Nick Walker’s original series," Ayich said. "We are thrilled to be bringing the wonderful Nicola Walker and the whole Annika team back for a second series. I can’t wait for the Alibi audience to step back into Annika’s world once again.”
"Annika’s" first series will have its broadcast premiere on Masterpiece in the USA on 16th October. Masterpiece is presented on PBS by GBH Boston. The critically-acclaimed series is based on the hugely successful BBC Radio 4 drama, written by Nick Walker. The second series will see the return of Nicola Walker as DI Annika Strandhed, Jamie Sives as DS Michael McAndrews, Katie Leung as DC Blair Ferguson and Ukweli Roach as DS Tyrone Clarke. Silvie Furneaux also reclaims her role as Annika Strandhed’s daughter, Morgan. “We are all looking forward to fighting crime on sea and land with the MHU for a second series and there are secrets closer to home for Annika that will have to be faced. It’s going to be a bumpy ride," Walker said.
Annika follows the sharp, witty and enigmatic DI Annika Strandhed as she leads the specialist Marine Homicide Unit (MHU) that is tasked with investigating the unexplained, brutal, and seemingly unfathomable murders that wash up in the waterways of Scotland. Through the series, Annika makes the audience her confidante by breaking the fourth wall and sharing her wry observations on the case and her life, as she manages her brilliant yet unconventional team, and her equally brilliant yet complex teenage daughter. “Nicola Walker absolutely owns the role of Annika, who comes across as smart, eccentric, and funny," Masterpiece executive producer Susanne Simpson said. "She leads an extraordinary cast of characters that makes this show unique.”
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