Quizzical Pictures to launch its newest project "Murder By The Sea" at Content London

South African production company Quizzical Pictures announces its newest project "Murder By The Sea", an eight-part, colourful ‘cosy crime’ series that it will be launched to the international co-production market at Content London next week.

This news comes hot on the heels of the completion of two other major crime thrillers: season two of "Reyka" (8x60), the internationally acclaimed drama starring Kim Engelbrecht ("The Flash"), and "White Lies" (8x60), a new series starring Natalie Dormer ("Game of Thrones". Both series were produced for Fremantle and M-Net. Season one of "Reyka" sold to more than 140 territories, received two International Emmy Award nominations, and won four South African Film and Television Awards while "White Lies" was a Hot Pick at MIPCOM this year and is being featured as a Hot Property at Content London.

"Murder By The Sea" is currently in development and being scripted by writer Darrel Bristow-Bovey, based on an original idea from Bristow-Bovey and Joanna Simon. Set in Blaasgat, a fictional coastal town named after its giant blowhole, and with the spectacular backdrop of the South African Garden Route, "Murder By The Sea" is a warm, gently comedic and character-driven series that’s packed with sunshine, whales, mountains and of course, murder.

Nimrod Geva, producer and head of development at Quizzical Pictures comments: "We are excited to be in development on 'Murder By The Sea' and to once again be working with the incredibly talented Darrel Bristow-Bovey, along with Joanna Simon. This new series leans into our expertise in bringing compelling crime stories to the screen but moves away from the more recent dark, tense productions such as 'Reyka' and 'White Lies' to create something light, bright, funny and fresh.”

Harriet Gavshon, Quizzical Pictures co-founder and creative director adds: “Cosy crime is increasingly popular with international broadcasters and streamers. From early conversations, we are confident that this original piece of IP will tick many boxes with the potential co-production partners we’ll meet next week. Furthermore, with our skilled talent base, production economies, great weather and incredible locations – such as the Garden Route – South Africa is fast becoming an attractive destination for international producers.”

Darrel Bristow-Bovey, who also serves as executive producer on the series adds: “Joanna and I have thoroughly enjoyed creating the world of 'Murder By The Sea', with its small-town idiosyncrasies and eccentric characters, and we’re delighted to be collaborating once again with the fantastic team at Quizzical. With their beautifully crafted shows, a creative and commercial vision that is both ambitious and meticulous, and their profoundly respectful approach to creative partnership, Nimrod, Harriet and the Quizzical team are doing more than anyone I know to bring authentically entertaining contemporary South African stories to audiences around the world, and I’m very proud to be associated with them.”