Leading independent distributor all3media international has signed further scripted format deals for hit thriller "Liar". Broadcasters in Spain commission new local adaptations. Originally produced by Two Brothers Pictures for ITV, UK and AMC, USA in association with all3media international, the second series of the UK version of Liar delivers early next year.
From Harry and Jack Williams, writers of The Missing, "Liar" is a tale of consent, modern-day gender politics, family life and deceit. Nominated for multiple awards and winner of Best New Drama at the TV Choice Awards, the original drama starred Golden Globe winner Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey) and Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four).
In Spain, Atresmedia has licensed scripted format rights to Liar and has appointed its in-house production company, Atresmedia Studios, to produce a six-part series. The drama will be filmed in Madrid and Majorca, and it will debut on prime time in Antena Tres. Javier Rey (Hache, Cocaine Coast) and Ángela Cremonte (Cable Girls) are confirmed for the lead roles.
Sonia Martinez, executive producer, stated: "At Atresmedia we are very happy to be able to adapt, with Atresmedia Studios, a series of such quality and success as ‘Liar’. It is a thriller with very polyhedral characters and, while the suspense keeps you hooked on the story, a social debate is generated in the viewer that transcends the plot itself. This is a significant factor of the series, which is very current in today’s world. ‘Mentiras’, which will be the title of the series in Spain, will be a faithful adaptation to the original, but with features of the DNA of our fiction label. It is a project that excites us because behind it there are great professionals of the Spanish audiovisual sector”
In India – a Hindi version of the show has been produced by Bodhi Tree Productions for VOOT – Viacom 18s OTT service. This local version is called “Marzi” and also runs 6 x 6 hr. Further details of the Indian version will be release shortly. these latest deals add to the recent adaptation of Liar in Italy, where the drama is known locally as Non Mentire. Produced by Indigo Film for Canale 5, the Italian version, available as 6 x 60’ or 3 x 120’ episodes, aired in February this year and stars Alessandro Preziosi (Medici) and Greta Scarano (La linea verticale). Distribution rights to Non Mentire outside Italy are managed by all3media international.
Stephen Driscoll, EVP EMEA & European Co-Productions at all3media international, commented, “Since we launched Liar at Series Mania Co -Pro Pitch in 2016, the drama has really connected both with critics and audiences around the world. Acclaim for the show has been universal – and in many territories the show has become must watch/ watercooler viewing. The development of the local adaptions is testament to the writing by Jack and Harry Williams – their scripts and characters resonate with international audiences. At its heart this is a contemporary thriller yet the gender politics delivers an additional layer to the drama – and one which is attractive for leading actors around the world to interpret in local adaptions.”
Following its ratings success in the UK, where it outperformed ITV’s benchmark figures by a huge 38%, all3media international has sold the original six-part UK version of Liar into more than 150 territories worldwide. The show was made with Sundance AMC in the USA as co producer. A second series of the show has finished shooting and is primed to tx in 2020 in the UK.
In the first series, schoolteacher Laura (Joanne Froggatt), who has just come out of a serious relationship, is understandably reluctant when she is asked on a date by Andrew (Ioan Gruffudd), the handsome father of one of her students. However, the date goes fantastically well, and Andrew ends up at Laura’s house. Cut to the next day and Laura’s claiming that Andrew raped her. Through the prism of the he-said, she-said dynamic, other secrets and lies come to the fore as Laura’s single-minded determination to get revenge takes shape…