UKTV today announces the acquisition of Hotel Portofino (2 x 6x60') for U and U&DRAMA. The first series will air on Friday 27th September at 9pm, followed by a UK premiere of the second series later in the year. The hit drama, produced by Eagle Eye Drama in association with Beta Film, which also handles international distribution, has been sold to over 70 territories, including Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and North America where is has been released to great acclaim.
The deal was secured by Jimmy Rumble, global acquisitions manager, and overseen by Melanie Rumani, global head of acquisitions, UKTV and BBC Studios, together with Beta's Andreas Khevenhueller and Oliver N. Bachert.
a show that is a little bit like if White Lotus took place in the post-World War I Hotel Portofino is a historical drama about a British family who establish a hotel for upper class travellers on the magical Italian Riviera during the 1920s. In the first series, co-proprietor and moving spirit, Bella Ainsworth (Natascha McElhorne) is short of staff and ready money. Her guests, including the imperious Lady Latchmere (Anna Chancellor), are demanding and hard-to-please; and she's being targeted by a scheming and corrupt local politician, Signor Danioni (Pasquale Esposito), who threatens to drag her into the red-hot political cauldron of Mussolini's Italy. Bella also has her aristocratic but caddish husband, Cecil (Mark Umbers), to deal with as he obsesses over arranging an advantageous marriage for their son to secure the future of the Ainsworth family's estate back in England and finding the money to pay for his dilettante lifestyle.
In series two, Bella is looking forward to her son Lucian's (Oliver Dench) imminent arrival for a vacation and the chance to discuss her plans for the hotel with him. However, a shadow begins to fall over her plans, when her no-good husband Cecil turns up unannounced in Portofino. In the middle of the hot Italian summer, Bella will be forced to confront the reality of her relationship with Cecil and decide whether to accept him back into her life or not. Especially considering her growing friendship with a handsome local architect, Marco Bonacini (Giorgio Marchesi).
The series was written by Matt Baker and directed by Adam Wimpenny while Jo McGrath and Walter Iuzzolino oversee the production as executive producers.
The third series of Hotel Portofino, directed by Jon Jones, is currently airing on PBS in the US, and has been described by The New York Times as a show that is a little bit like if White Lotus took place in the post-World War I.
Melanie Rumani said: This deal is a fantastic opportunity and one that really solidifies our relationship with the brilliant team at Beta Film. We're thrilled to be partnering with them on this series.
Emma Ayech, channel director for U&DRAMA, added: We're excited to be adding Hotel Portofino to our offering of high-quality dramas on U&DRAMA. The beautiful setting of the Italian Riviera is the perfect antidote to those autumnal nights, so we can't wait for our viewers to dive into this one.
Andreas Khevenhueller, VP International Sales & Acquisitions, commented: At Beta we are beyond thrilled to announce that UKTV is the new "port of call" for the sensational drama Hotel Portofino. This captivating series has already won hearts around the globe, and is ready to bring a burst of sunshine, luxury, and thrilling adventures to the UK. We are confident that viewers will be swept away by the charm, intrigue, and breathtaking scenery this show offers.
Hotel Portofino will be available to stream for free on U.
For more information, please contact:
Kelly Phelps, Publicity Manager, UKTV
Notes for Editors:
About U&DRAMA
Sky 143, Virgin Media 130, Freeview 20, Freesat 158
+1 Sky 243, Virgin Media 226, Freeview, 60
On demand on Sky, Virgin Media & U
Free-to-air channel U&DRAMA is passionate about bringing Britain the best quality drama. From period to contemporary, family to comedy, the channel provides an abundance of well-loved classics and modern drama with stories for viewers to fully immerse themselves in.
With programmes including familiar favourites Call the Midwife, The Bill, New Tricks and Silent Witness, and brand new and exclusive hits Sister Boniface Mysteries, Whitstable Pearl and Signora Volpe, this is the channel where viewers can escape and indulge in a handpicked range of the nations most celebrated TV dramas.
U&DRAMA also offers a charming collection of U&Originals, with the TV adaptation of Robert Thorogood's hit novel The Marlow Murder Club starring Samantha Bond, Jo Martin, Cara Horgan and Natalie Dew, and the true story of the Mitford sisters in Outrageous, starring Bessie Carter, Joanna Vanderham, James Purefoy and Anna Chancellor. Viewers will get the chance to delve back into the world of Bergerac in a brand-new re-imagined series written by Toby Whithouse and starring Damien Molony in the leading role. Content can also be streamed for free on U.
About U
U is UKTV's free streaming service, providing instant access to shows from UKTVs free-to-air channels - U&Dave, U&DRAMA U&W and U&YESTERDAY. Viewers can browse 8,500 hours of programming - including exclusive content, award-winning originals, premiere acquisitions and iconic BBC programmes across drama, (Whitstable Pearl, Marlow Murder Club, Annika, Sister Boniface Mysteries, Sons of Anarchy, Mike, Madam Secretary, A Million Little Things, The Shield, The Bill, Classic EastEnders, Holby City plus upcoming series in 2025 such as Bergerac and Outrageous), comedy (Meet the Richardsons, Red Dwarf, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, We Are Not Alone, Rosie Jones's Comedy Disability Extravaganza),entertainment (Battle in the Box, Big Zuus Big Eats, David Mitchells Outsiders, QI, Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, Worlds Mos
Europe Stories
09/12/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced that it has been named an IDC Innovator in the IDC Innovators: ...
09/11/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced three new members of its executive team. Tara Bryant joins as Chi...
14/10/2024
Since its launch just over a year ago, Spotify's Audiobooks in Premium offer...
14/10/2024
Through our first-of-its kind partnership, Spotify and FC Barcelona are committed to uniting the worlds of music and sport. And when the Bar a men's squad r...
14/10/2024
A green paper published today outlines the governments aim to attract investment...
14/10/2024
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales Alenia Space and ESA sign contract amendment to extend and optimize ESPRIT module
Milan, October 14, 2024 - Thales Aleni...
14/10/2024
14 Oct 2024
VEON Announces Plan to Move its Headquarters to Dubai International...
14/10/2024
14 Oct 2024
VEON appoints Andrey Pyatakhin as the incoming CEO of Beeline Uzbekistan Amsterdam and Tashkent, 14 October 2024: VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON, Euronext...
14/10/2024
Setting the standard for responsible AI: 2025 International AI Standards Summit announced this World Standards Day
The International Organization for Standar...
14/10/2024
A powerful, new television programme on eating disorders entitled Anorexia, My Family & Me will air tonight at 9:35pm on RT One and RT Player.
The compelling...
14/10/2024
RT Radio 1 Folk Awards to take place on Wednesday 26th February 2025, Vicar Str...
14/10/2024
RT Documentary on One has been honoured with prizes in two individual categories at the 2024 Prix Europa Awards in Berlin.
Last Friday night in Berlin, RT Do...
11/10/2024
Earlier this year, Spotify teased a new partnership with A BATHING APE (BAPE), and now both brands are coming together to celebrate the styles and sounds that...
11/10/2024
On and off the pitch, Spotify celebrates the culture around football. Since 2022...
11/10/2024
Apple Immersive Video leverages ultra-high-resolution 3D video and Spatial Audio...
11/10/2024
Today, Apple revealed new episodes, films, series, and music performances captured in Apple Immersive Video that will debut on Apple Vision Pro for free. Apple ...
11/10/2024
The shortlist for the 2024 Oireachtas Media Awards was announced earlier this week and RT has secured 21 nominations across the 13 categories, featuring teams ...
11/10/2024
The soundtrack to the hugely successful podcast series The Real Carrie Jade has just been released as a stand-alone original album. Following on from soundtrack...
11/10/2024
RT today announced that it has commissioned Traitors Ireland, the hit series which enthralled audiences across the world including award-winning versions in th...
10/10/2024
Since the Mexican Revolution at the beginning of the 20th century, one particular style of music has served as a form of cultural storytelling for the Mexican p...
10/10/2024
Desde la Revoluci n Mexicana a principios del siglo XX, un estilo musical en particular ha servido como forma de narraci n cultural para el pueblo de M xico: el...
10/10/2024
Home Applications Beyond the Sound
Louis James-ParkerLouis James-Parker is an award-winning freelance filmmaker, videographer, director, cinematographer, a...
10/10/2024
The special effects company joins more than 15 businesses based at the Bristol creative hub
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: October 10, 2024
The special ef...
10/10/2024
TVBEurope talks to the team at BBC Studioworks about the technology included in a new flyaway kit for BBC Twos Strictly Come Dancing spin-off, It Takes Two
By ...
10/10/2024
DAmato joined SMPTE in 2001, rising to become director of events and governance liaison in 2016
By Jenny Priestley
Published: October 10, 2024 Updated: Oct...
10/10/2024
The company, which is now being led by Thorsten Sauer, has taken over management of networked multiviewer and monitoring platform R&S Prismon
By Jenny Priestle...
10/10/2024
HMS Networks expands range of embedded communication interfaces with the Anybus ...
10/10/2024
UKTV today releases a selection of first look images for the upcoming U&Original...
10/10/2024
Patented antenna digital twin solution from Rohde & Schwarz and IMST optimizes a...
10/10/2024
The Wasserschloss Klaffenbach in Chemnitz, Germany, is a sixteenth-century moated castle which this summer provided a stunning location for a series of four out...
10/10/2024
WATCH INSTAGRAM CLIP
Here is your host, Patrick Kielty!
Irish comedian and tel...
09/10/2024
Research shows that nature sounds can have a positive impact on your mental health. So, this World Mental Health Day, we're inviting you to take a beat and ...
09/10/2024
Discovery is at the heart of what we do at Spotify, and since 2020, our RADAR program has helped introduce rising artists, burgeoning songwriters, and promising...
09/10/2024
Giovanni Ribisi began acting when he was 9 years old, and in the decades since, he's appeared in projects as varied as Boiler Room, Gone in 60 Seconds, Lost...
09/10/2024
Streaming security, consumer engagement, and consumer cybersecurity were top of mind in NAGRAVISION's IBC 2024 showcase, as highlighted by Tim Pearson in ou...
09/10/2024
Everything you need to know about Lucia, BLAM's new AI assistant.
The Blue Lucy team introduced BLAM's new AI assistant, Lucia to the media and enterta...
09/10/2024
The hub will provide filmmakers with access to the Pinewood Studios ecosystem from camera hire to drone photography and post production
By Jenny Priestley
Pu...
09/10/2024
The award was established in 1982 and recognises individuals of established and outstanding status and reputation in the motion picture and television industrie...
09/10/2024
The latest issue includes features on the US presidential election, IBC2024 Best of Show Awards winners and tackling the industry skills gap
By Matthew Corriga...
09/10/2024
The company remains confident in the strength of its case, which, it said, includes significant investment benefits to the local and national economy
By Matth...
09/10/2024
09 Oct 2024
VEON Launches KINOM Digital Entertainment Platform in Uzbekistan Amsterdam and Tashkent, 09 October 2024 - VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON, Euronext Amster...
09/10/2024
PARIS - 9th October - Technicolor Group is excited to announce its participation...
09/10/2024
Sky and Peacock release Official Trailer for The Day of the Jackal starring Eddi...
09/10/2024
Celebrated independent Live Sound Engineer Jade Payne's career began over 15 years ago in New York's vibrant music scene, where she got her start in som...
09/10/2024
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
The Thales Sophie Ultima long-range handheld thermal imagers have been selected by the Canadian Armed Forces, the first contract...
09/10/2024
This October, Wexford Festival Opera and RT once again join forces to bring a taste of the magic of Wexford Festival Opera to audiences at home and abroad.
Au...
09/10/2024
Celebrating 25 years of the hugely popular festive competition
Join us on RT lyric fm for our annual celebration of community, amateur choral music making fr...
09/10/2024
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
This strategic collaboration includes a fully in...
08/10/2024
In March 2024, SGL Carbon informed the public that CEO, Dr. Torsten Derr, will n...
UKTV today announces the acquisition of Hotel Portofino (2 x 6x60') for U and U&DRAMA. The first series will air on Friday 27th September at 9pm, followed by a UK premiere of the second series later in the year. The hit drama, produced by Eagle Eye Drama in association with Beta Film, which also handles international distribution, has been sold to over 70 territories, including Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and North America where is has been released to great acclaim.
