ITV Studios signs content deal with Sundance Now and Acorn TV

ITV Studios has secured a major package deal with AMC Networks’ Sundance Now and Acorn TV, who have acquired three World Productions’ dramas, "The Suspect," "Showtrial" and "Anne." “We’re delighted to grow our relationship with ITV Studios with these sought-after titles packed with riveting storylines, breath-taking performances and top-quality production,” Shannon Cooper, Vice President, Programming, Sundance Now, said.

Both series will premier exclusively on Sundance Now and AMC+ in the USA later this year. Sundance Now will also be the exclusive home for The Suspect in Canada. "Anne," the inspiring story of Anne Williams who dedicated her life to campaigning for the victims of the Hillsborough Disaster following her son’s death, will premiere exclusively on Acorn TV. “We are delighted to announce this content deal with our partners at Sundance Now and Acorn TV,” Rob Kaplan, Senior Vice President Sales, US & Global Accounts, ITV Studios, said. “It follows hot-on-the-heels of AMC+ becoming the home of the forth-coming spy thriller The Ipcress File, by Altitude Television, starring Joe Cole, Lucy Boynton and Tom Hollander.”

Last year, the top three most-watched dramas in the UK were all produced by award-winning World Productions, part of ITV Studios. The finale of "Line of Duty" Series 6 became the most watched episode of any drama since modern records began in 2002, while submarine thriller Vigil became the BBC’s highest-rated new drama launch since 2018 and "The Pembrokeshire Murders" was the biggest new drama launch on ITV since 2006. "World Productions has been producing some of the best and most successful British dramas of recent years and it is great to see ‘The Suspect,’ Showtrial and Anne also traveling to wider audiences around the globe," Kaplan continues.

"The Suspect" sees Aidan Turner playing Joseph ‘Joe’ O’Loughlin, who appears to have the perfect life – a beautiful wife, a loving daughter and a successful career as a clinical psychologist. But nothing can be taken for granted. Even the most flawless existence is only a loose thread away from unravelling. All it takes is a murdered girl, a troubled young patient and the biggest lie of his life. Caught in an increasingly complex web of deceit, Joe risks everything as he embarks upon a search for a killer that will take him into the darkest recesses of the human mind. It is written by Peter Berry (Gangs of London), directed by James Strong.

"Showtrial" tells the story of a murder trial that grips the nation. High Street Criminal Solicitor Cleo Roberts, played by Tracy Ifeachor, is called on to represent Talitha Campbell, played by Celine Buckens, the estranged daughter of a wealthy property developer - arrested in connection with the disappearance of fellow student Hannah Ellis. "Anne" is written by Kevin Sampson, author of the book Hillsborough Voices, and directed by BAFTA winner Bruce Goodison. The four-part drama tells the extraordinary story of Anne Williams, a Liverpool housewife whose 15-year-old son Kevin was tragically crushed to death at the FA Cup semi-final in 1989 between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.