Sphere Abacus has announced a slate of international sales for its premium drama titles "The Game" and "The Family Next Door," which have been picked up by leading broadcasters across North America, Europe, and Australasia.
Jonathan Ford, Managing Director of Sphere Abacus, commented: “We are extremely pleased to report such strong international interest in the gripping detective thriller series 'The Game,' which captivated Channel 5 audiences earlier this year, as well as 'The Family Next Door,' based on the New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth’s novel, which instantly became a huge hit with audiences following the ABC launch in August. The demand for premium scripted drama content remains high and we’re thrilled to see both these series find homes with leading broadcasters worldwide.”
"The Game" (4 x one hour), produced by Clapperboard Studios in the UK, stars Jason Watkins ("Coma," "W1A") and Robson Green ("Grantchester," "Wire in the Blood"). The series premiered to critical acclaim on Channel 5 in May 2025 and has since been acquired by BritBox (North America), Foxtel Group (Australia), YLE (Finland), SVT (Sweden), Pickbox (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia), Virgin Media (Ireland), and Sky Free (New Zealand).
Described as a "deliciously dark psychological drama," the series follows retired police detective Huw Miller (Watkins), haunted by an unsolved case involving the notorious "Ripton Stalker." When a new neighbor, Patrick Harbottle (Green), moves in and utters the stalker’s chilling catchphrase, Miller’s obsession reignites, launching a high-stakes game of psychological chess.
Meanwhile, "The Family Next Door" (6 x one hour), based on the bestselling novel by Sally Hepworth and co-produced by Beyond Entertainment and Muse Entertainment, has been picked up by AMC Networks (USA and Canada), CBC for CBC Gem (Canada), ITV (UK), RTE (Ireland), YLE (Finland), TV4 (Sweden), Proximus (Belgium), Sky Free (New Zealand), and Pickbox across Southeast Europe. Following its recent premiere on ABC Australia, it has become the fastest-growing commissioned drama debut on the ABC iview streaming platform.
Starring Teresa Palmer ("The Clearing," "The Fall Guy"), Bella Heathcote ("The Moogai," "Pieces of Her") and Philippa Northeast ("Territory," "The Newsreader"), the drama explores themes of motherhood, identity, and emotional upheaval. The story centers on Isabelle (Palmer), a mysterious newcomer to a seaside cul-de-sac whose relentless pursuit of the truth threatens to upend the lives of four neighboring families. The series was adapted for television by award-winning screenwriter Sarah Scheller ("Strife," "The Letdown").
With these sales, Sphere Abacus continues to expand its footprint in the global content marketplace, tapping into the ongoing appetite for character-driven, emotionally rich storytelling.
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