Fifth Season secures global sales for "Best Interests"

Fifth Season has signed the first wave of international sales for the BBC One drama "Best Interests." “Best Interests is television drama at its finest. Sharon Horgan, Michael Sheen, and the rest of this enviable cast bring Jack Thorne’s beautiful vision to life with masterful performances," Arvand Khosravi, SVP, Scripted Television Strategy at Fifth Season, said. "Jack brilliantly depicts a family in the midst of a life-shattering crisis, confronted with an impossible choice."

The first sales secured by Fifth Season for Best Interests include France Télévisions in France, RTÉ in Ireland, ABC in Australia, Hot in Israel, Antenna in Greece, NPO in Netherlands and Now TV in Hong Kong. The series made its worldwide premiere at Series Mania 2023 as part of the festival’s ‘International Competition’ selection, with Michael Sheen taking the award for ‘Best Actor.'

Created and written by BAFTA-winning writer Jack Thorne, the series stars Michael Sheen and Sharon Horgan and is produced by AC Chapter One in association with Fifth Season. The series debuted on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK in June 2023. Executive Producers for AC Chapter One are Sophie Gardiner, Toby Bentley , Jack Thorne for One Shoe Films, Lucy Richer for BBC One with Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen. The series is produced by Jenny Frayn (Help) and directed by Michael Keillor.

"His characteristically skilful way of rendering gut-wrenching drama with sublime tenderness and compassion makes Best Interests an absolute must-watch, especially given Michael Keillor’s outstanding direction," Khosravi said. "It is no surprise to me that this series has resonated with broadcasters from all over the world who agree that audiences of every background will find themselves deeply engrossed by this magnificent production.”

"Best Interests" received multiple five-star reviews in the UK and was hailed by The Guardian as “a wonderful, heart-shattering piece of work” and as a “masterly and profoundly moving series”. The Independent said the series is “anchored by a raft of excellent performances”, and The Times noted that “the beauty of Jack Thorne’s script is in making Marnie not a legal case, but a joyous, rounded person.”

In "Best Interests," Sharon Horgan and Michael Sheen play married couple Nicci and Andrew with two daughters: Katie played by Alison Oliver and Marnie played by Niamh Moriarty. Marnie has a life-threatening condition. The doctors believe it is in her best interests to be allowed to die, but her loving family disagree. And so begins a fight that will take them through every stage of a legal process, as they struggle to contemplate this huge decision.

Additional cast include Noma Dumezweni as Samantha, Chizzy Akudolu as Mercy, Des McAleer  as Eddie, Mat Fraser as Greg, Gary Beadle  as Frank, Jack Morris (Strike) as Tom, Pippa Haywood as Judge Spottiswood, Shane Zaza as Fred, Lucian Msamati as Derek and Lisa McGrillis as Brenda.“It has been a privilege to work on this show from beginning to end – from the nuanced script and elegant direction to the consummate acting across the board," Sophie Gardiner, Executive Producer for AC Chapter One, said. "I am very proud that this important story has received such incredible critical acclaim and I’m delighted to be working with Fifth Season to find an international audience for the show.”