ITV Studios Global Entertainment launches market-leading MIPCOM slate

Published: Tue 02 Oct 2018

ITV STUDIOS GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES MARKET-LEADING MIPCOM SLATE

World-Beating Drama, Enthralling Non-Scripted and Tried and Tested Formats Abound

02 October, 2018 - In the year that World Productions'* Bodyguard became the highest-rated UK drama in a decade, selling to Netflix in a global first window deal (excluding the UK, Ireland, China) and Love Island entered its eighth territory, the US, where it will be produced by ITV Entertainment for CBS; ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) announces a powerful new slate of MIPCOM programming spanning world-class drama, blue chip natural history and innovative, tried and tested formats.

Ruth Berry, Managing Director of ITV Studios Global Entertainment, said: I couldnt be prouder to unveil this varied slate to the international market. With brand-defining drama from around the world, as well as innovative formats and blue chip factual it is the embodiment of who we are today - an international and diverse, leading content company with a passion for everything we bring to screen.

ITVS GE will unveil a compelling new slate of UK and international drama including more hours of non-English language content than ever before. Headlining the offering is the major new television adaptation of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds (3 x 60). The seminal alien invasion story in literature, this visceral thriller tells the story of George (Rafe Spall, Jurassic World, The Big Short) and his partner Amy (Eleanor Tomlinson, Poldark) who face the escalating terror of an alien attack after a huge meteor strike. Robert Carlyle (T2 Trainspotting) stars as Ogilvy, an astronomer and scientist and Rupert Graves (Sherlock) plays George's elder brother Frederick. Set in Edwardian England, the science fiction period drama is produced by the multi-awarding winning Mammoth Screen* (Poldark, Victoria), and Creasun for BBC One.

Dark Heart (6 x 60), the atmospheric new crime series from critically acclaimed writer Chris Lang (Unforgotten) will also launch to international buyers. It follows DI Will Wagstaffe (Tom Riley), a workaholic whose personal life is as troubled and complex as his day job, as he investigates a string of horrifying murders. Dark Heart is a Silverprint Pictures production in association with Britbox for ITV, will launch in the UK this Autumn.

From Anagram Sweden and Network Movie for ZDF in Germany and SVT in Sweden, comes West of Liberty (6 x 60). This English language thriller, laced with action and suspense, is adapted from the first novel in Thomas Engstr m's acclaimed series centring on Ludwig Licht, a former Stasi agent and CIA informant. Retired from the secret services, Licht is approached by his old partner Clive Berner - Head of the CIA's Berlin office - who asks him to work on a case involving Lucien Gell, the corrupt leader of whistle-blower site Hydraleaks.

More expertly produced, non-English language drama emanating from ITVS' European production will also be showcased. From Beauborg Stories (part of Tetra Media Studios) for TF1 comes the hotly anticipated procedural drama, Balthazar (French, 6 x 60). Police commander He le ne Bach must learn to work with the brilliant yet exasperating Raphael, who can make the dead speak like no-one else. The most talented forensic pathologist of his generation, Raphael has it all - he is charming, handsome and intelligent, both fascinating and infuriating in equal measure.

Also from Beauborg Stories for France 3 is Les Secrets (French, 3 x 60). Young, beautiful and in love, Sarah and Alex have the perfect lives - until tragedy strikes when Alex's body is found at the foot of a cliff. When the investigation rules his death a suicide, cannot understand why her husband would commit such an irredeemable act. But then she receives a passionate love letter from a woman called Ines, and it's addressed to Alex...

From ITVS GE production partners SF Studios and Harmonica Films for C More /TV4 comes Hunters (Swedish, 6 x 60). The prospect of a new mine in a small, troubled town leads to conflict between environmentalists and people who see it as the way to a better future. When Erik, an ex-cop working for the mine company, is confronted with murder, he is torn between his sense of justice and his loyalty towards the town and its people.

In Kieler Street (Norwegian, 10 x 60') from Anagram Norway, former criminal Jonas has started a new life in Scandinavia's most law-abiding neighbourhood. He has it all: a happy family, a great job and the quiet life he always wanted. But the fac ade starts falling apart when Jonas realizes that several other inhabitants also have hidden identities, and they're all prepared to do anything it takes to protect the illusion they have created.

Buyers will also be able to get a first look several high-profile dramas in the ITVS GE coming soon pipeline, ahead of their official international launch. They include the heart-stopping, multi-stranded drama which tells the story of World War Two through the lives of ordinary people, World On Fire (7 x 60). A Mammoth Screen Production for BBC One, it is written by the multi-award-winning Peter Bowker (The A Word, Marvellous).

Noughts & Crosses (6 x 60) is the eagerly anticipated Mammoth Screen adaptation of Malorie Blackman's enthralling story of first love in a dangerous, alternate world. This adrenalin-fuelled drama for BBC One draws on global themes of race, privilege and how we treat each as we follow a couple who are divided by their colour but united by forbidden love and burning injustice.

Alongside the drama slate, a number of engaging new non-scripted series will also make their Cannes debut. Magical Land of Oz (3 x 60') is blue chip natural history at its finest. An Oxford Scientific Films* and Northern Pictures co-production for the

LINK:	https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/itv-studios-global-ente...
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