"Bergerac"
Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, announced it has signed a landmark premium scripted and factual package deal with Australian public broadcaster ABC. The agreement comprises Welsh crime drama "The One That Got Away", family saga "The Hardacres", the modern re-imagining of iconic detective series "Bergerac", the forthcoming "Grantchester" season 10 and revealing documentary series "Picasso".
The deal was negotiated by Lyle Bettson-Barker, SVP Sales, Australia and New Zealand, Banijay Rights, who said: “From gripping thrillers and period dramas to fascinating documentaries, we’re in no doubt this incredible ensemble of premium Banijay Rights programmes will captivate viewers across Australia. With such a strong and genre diverse line up of scripted offerings, partnerships like this are a testament to our depth and breadth. Once again, we’re proud to secure this deal with our partners at the ABC," explained.
Meanwhile, Head of Programming, Acquisitions & Streaming ABC, Roberta Allan referred to the quality of the slate, “Our audiences will be pulled into mysteries, grandeur and history with these world class series. We are thrilled that these titles will be joining our incredible slate of content on ABC TV and ABC iview," commented.
Finally, Head of Acquisitions ABC, Dallas Krueger, praised their partners: “I’m delighted that ABC audiences will be treated to a stellar line-up of content. This deal underscores the strong collaboration between the ABC and Banijay Rights.”
Set in the west Wales coastal town of Pembroke Dock, "The One That Got Away" brings together a top-class team of Welsh crime drama talent. The shocking murder of a nurse opens old wounds in a small-town community, throwing a historic conviction into doubt, raising the horrifying prospect of a copycat killer and reuniting two former lovers tasked with finding the killer. The series is written by Catherine Tregenna ("The Bench", "Law & Order UK", "Lewis and DCI Banks") and stars Elen Rhys ("The Mallorca Files", "Craith/Hidden"), Richard Harrington ("Y Gwyll/Hinterland") and Rhian Blythe ("Y Golau"/"The Light in the Hall", "Craith"/"Hidden"). All six episodes are directed by Sion Ifan ("Y Gyfrinach"/"The Secret"). Produced by BlackLight TV (a Banijay UK company), the series is the English-language version of Welsh-language drama Cleddau, an original series commissioned by Welsh-language channel S4C, supported by Welsh Government via Creative Wales.
"The Hardacres" chronicles the rags to riches story of a working-class family in 1890s Yorkshire. A sweeping family saga adapted by Amy Roberts and Loren McLaughlan ("The Winter King", "Call the Midwife"), the series follows the lives, loves and fortunes of the Hardacres as they move from a grimy fish dock to a grand country estate. The Hardacre family consists of Claire Cooper ("The Continental", "The Peripheral") and Liam McMahon ("Hunger", "The Secret", "Warrior Nun") as loving married couple Mary and Sam Hardacre, alongside Julie Graham ("Time," "Ridley", "Penance"), as Mary’s wily mother, Ma, and their three kids, Joe, Liza, and Harry, played by Adam Little ("Ackley Bridge", "Coronation Street"), newcomer Shannon Lavelle and Zak Ford-Williams ("Better", "Bridgerton"). The series is produced by Playground, in association with Screen Ireland, Red Berry Productions, Newgrange Pictures and Banijay Rights for Channel 5.
Produced by BlackLight TV, "Bergerac" is based on the original series created by Robert Banks Stewart, which starred John Nettles and ran for nine series on the BBC between 1981 and 1991. The detective drama features Damien Molony ("The Split", "Brassic", "Crashing") in the leading role of Jim Bergerac, alongside Zoë Wanamaker ("My Family", "Shadow and Bone", "Black Ops") as Jim’s mother-in-law Charlie Hungerford, and Philip Glenister ("Steeltown Murders", "Life on Mars") as Arthur Wakefield. The series is written by Toby Whithouse ("The Red King", "Being Human"), alongside Brian Fillis ("Trust", "Sirens"), Catherine Tregenna ("The One That Got Away", "Three Pines") and Polly Buckle ("Love Rat", "A Discovery of Witches"). The six-part U&Original series is produced by BlackLight TV, part of Banijay UK.
Meanwhile, hit crime drama "Grantcheste"r will see Robson Green and Rishi Nair return as DI Geordie Keating and Reverend Alphy Kottaram, respectively, for season 10 as they continue their crime-solving exploits. The series is a co-production of Kudos (a Banijay UK Company) and MASTERPIECE PBS for ITV.
Documentary series "Picasso" is an unflinching look at the life and legacy of the artist. When Picasso died in 1973, the world mourned one of the most celebrated artists of all time. His death left behind a family in turmoil and over 100,000 art works. Since his death, stories of womanising, cruelty and cultural appropriation have made us reassess Picasso. This series provides a look at the life of the artist, whose endlessly inventive revolutionary art and problematic personal life spanned seven of the most tumultuous decades in history. The Series Director is Alice Perman, Producer / Director is John O’Rourke and Executive Producers are Sophie Leonard, Alicia Kerr and Greg Sanderson. The three-part series was produced by Minnow Films for BBC Two.