EO ORDERS KESHET INTERNATIONAL’S “THE A WORD”

Dutch public broadcaster EO has ordered a local adaptation of Keshet International’s “The A Word,” from Fiction Valley. Based on Keren Margalit's hit family drama “Yellow Peppers” by July-August Productions for Keshet Broadcasting, Fiction Valley’s six-part adaptation will also dramatise a family’s painful and often humorous journey of denial and introspection, after their young son is diagnosed with autism. It follows in the footsteps of Fifty Fathoms’ and Keshet Productions’ award-winning adaptation for BBC One, which has run to three series and sold in over 80 territories worldwide to date.

Known locally as “Het A Woord” and written by Karin van der Meer and Myranda Jongeling, the 6x50’ series will be directed by Anna van der Heide (episodes 1 & 2) and Remy van Heugten (episodes 3-6) with Fiction Valley’s Annemieke van Vliet as executive producer. “Het A Woord” was commissioned by EO’s Jacomien Nijhof and Arnoud Brunier, and is expected to premiere in the Netherlands this year on NPO1.

“‘Het A Woord’ touches on important themes- showing a family’s struggle in raising a special needs child- and does so entertainingly and with a lot of love. Fiction Valley has brought a strong team to the project and we are grateful for the trust that Keren Margalit has given us in bringing this universal story to our local audiences,”  EO’s Arnoud Bruinier said.

Fiction Valley’s Annemieke van Vliet added: “It has been a joy developing and producing Keren Margalit’s fantastic drama for EO with our talented team of writers, cast and crew. As with previous adaptations, so many of them have brought their own personal experiences of autism to ‘Het A Woord’ to help us create an authentic, heart-warming and genuinely moving family drama that is sure to connect with Dutch audiences”.

Lastly, Keren Shahar, COO and President of Distribution at KI, commented: “‘The A Word’ is one of our most enduring shows that has already engaged millions of viewers around the globe. Fiction Valley’s re-imagining is a faithful homage to Keren Margalit’s original and we are so thrilled that it has found a home on NPO via EO”.