UKTV commiions Red planet pictures to develop network s first original drama series

Leading UK independent production company, Red Planet Pictures, revealed today that it is developing a new, 10-part drama series for UKTV's flagship entertainment channel, Watch.

The ambitious series, the broadcaster's first original drama commission, was announced by founder of Red Planet Pictures, Tony Jordan, who unveiled details of the supernatural thriller.

Legion is a bold and exciting new drama series which follows criminologist Nathan Jones who, after learning the devastating news that his 10 year old daughter has an inoperable brain tumour, scours the globe in search of a possible treatment. His desperate quest for a cure brings him to the very edge of humanity, forcing him into one last throw of the dice, making a deal with the Devil to save the life of his child.

When Nathan realises that he's been tricked, he undertakes to renegotiate his contract by fighting the Devil's work on earth wherever he finds it, ultimately leading him to a startling discovery - a revelation which will change the world as we know it forever.

Legion will be the first original drama commission for UKTV's Watch as the network looks to bolster its already successful slate of original UK entertainment and factual commissions.

Legion writer and founder of Red Planet Pictures, Tony Jordan says:

Legion is my ultimate passion project; the one that I have been working on and trying to perfect for almost fifteen years; the one that has sat in my bottom drawer just waiting for the right time and place for this story to be told.

UKTV share my passion for storytelling and have been brave enough to take a chance on it for their first ever original drama! I know that something as ambitious and bold as Legion is a risky commission for Watch, but I'm so excited and honoured that they are not just cautiously dipping their toe in the UK drama pool with us; they are diving in head first!

UKTV's Director of Commissioning, Jane Rogerson, said:

Tony is a master of his craft, with an incredible ability to interlace intricate plot details with a compelling and absorbing story arc. I'm personally delighted that we are recognising our drama aspirations with Tony and the Red Planet team and this is another bold move for UKTV in pushing forward with developing ambitious, talked about, original content.

Once co-production partners are on board and the location for the shoot is confirmed, Legion will go into production. Red Planet Pictures and Peter Smith of Cineflix are currently approaching international partners and will be taking the opportunity next month to meet a number of broadcasters interested in the ambitious project at MIPCOM.

UKTV is a multi-award-winning media company that reaches over 42 million viewers per month. The network has recently bolstered its commissioning output and its first original sitcom, You, Me & Them, starring Anthony Head and Lindsay Duncan, is due to air on its comedy channel Gold next month. In addition, at the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival in August, UKTV's Controller Emma Tennant announced Crackanory, a brand new series for its popular entertainment channel Dave that puts a satirical and twisted grown-up spin on story time'.

Red Planet Pictures is one of the few truly independent production companies in the UK and has two dramas currently in production: a third series of hit Caribbean detective drama Death in Paradise and new, thrilling six-part crime series about a clandestine police department who go to any lengths to bring the criminal elite to justice, By Any Means - both of which will air on BBC One. The company has also recently announced two new commissions for BBC One: a five-part drama, The Great War, part of the BBC's programming around the centenary of the First World War; and Dickensian, an ambitious new drama production for the BBC which will be populated by the vivid characters from Dickens' classic novels.

ENDS

For more information please contact: Cristina Dunn, Premier - Cristina.Dunn@premiercomms.com | 020 7292 6469

Kerry Parker, Senior Corporate Communications Manager

Note to Editors: RED PLANET PICTURES: Tony Jordan set up Red Planet Pictures in 2005 as a uniquely writer led, creatively inspiring, drama house. It was conceived to make popular intelligent drama - the type of shows that cemented Tonys reputation as series creator and show runner.

2010s multi-award winning THE NATIVITY received both critical acclaim and commercial success. 2011 saw the arrival of DEATH IN PARADISE - Caribbean-set murder mysteries starring Ben Miller and broadcast on the BBC and FTV in France. This proved a huge success, selling to over 140 territories. 2013 has seen an even more successful second series, drawing the highest midweek ratings for any new drama show on BBC One.

Red Planet Pictures is currently in production for season three of DEATH IN PARADISE and for new BBC One series BY ANY MEANS about a clandestine police department that, when the legal system fails, go to any lengths to bring the criminal elite to justice. The indie is also in pre-production on a new epic BBC drama THE GREAT WAR, a centrepiece production in the broadcasters' programming around the centenary of WWI, and new long-running drama series DICKENSIAN, also for the BBC. The original production will bring the world of Dickens to life in a drama populated by the vivid characters from his classic books.

UKTV UKTV is the multi-award winning media company that reaches over 42 million viewers per month.

UKTV's ten imaginative channel brands - Watch, Dave, Gold, Alibi, Eden, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home and Good Food - include the number one channel in the Factual genre, the number one channel in the Lifestyle genre (pay and free) and the most famous channel and programmes in the Entertainment genre.

UKTV has a tru

LINK:	http://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/uktv-commissions-its-first-or...
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