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Sky Announces Major New Commitment to Original British Drama
Running across Sky's portfolio of entertainment channels, and available on HDTV and VOD, the raft of new drama commissions, complemented by popular returning series, is part of Sky's drive to bring more high-quality, exclusive programmes to customers. It is supported by Sky's commitment to invest £600 million a year in home-grown programming by 2014, an increase of 50% over three years.
Delivering customers some of the most highly respected drama talent working in television today, both on and off screen, the new commissions include:
• (Sky Atlantic), starring Hollywood actor in the lead role in a series based on the life of Bond creator Ian Fleming
• ( Sky Living ), a season of five original dramas from some of
Britain's most renowned and critically-acclaimed female screenwriters, including
, and
• The return of ( Sky Arts ) this year features the directorial debuts of , and , with Elba and Warren both also scripting their films. The season of dramas - which will be complemented by a further collection of one-off comedy films - has again attracted high-calibre casts including , , , and .
• (Sky 1), a two-part conclusion to the BAFTA-nominated drama starring
, ,
and
In addition, a brand new medical drama from , under the working title is currently in development for Sky 1.
These new titles join the previously announced series:
• (Sky 1), a two-part family drama adaptation by ( ,
) of the classic John Meade Falkner story
• (Sky 1), created by ( ), following the adrenaline fuelled and gut-wrenchingly emotional stories of the White Watch crew of a
London fire station.
• (Sky 1) starring and
, returns for a fourth series later this year.
• (Sky Atlantic). ( ,
) heads up the writing team based on the format of and set against the backdrop of
Europe in crisis.
• ( Sky Living ) based on a script from
, the series stars and begins filming this summer.
The slate was commissioned by Sky's Head of Drama, Anne Mensah . She comments: "At Sky we have a strong ambition to deliver modern, original dramas that are both entertaining and intelligent. We seek to bring our customers the most innovative and bold pieces produced by some of the brightest talent in drama programming today. Our broad range of entertainment channels has allowed us to commission this diverse and rich drama slate, providing customers with a wealth of choice and I'm thrilled to be able to unveil this fantastic line up. The most exciting thing is that this is just the part of the growing drama story at Sky."
Stuart Murphy , Director, Entertainment Channels adds: "We're absolutely delighted to be announcing such a strong group of dramas for our customers. These new commissions bring together world-class talent, both on and off screen, and are unique pieces of television that exemplify the scale of our ambition. I am excited and fully supportive of Anne Mensah's vision as she drives forward a strategy that will deliver our customers the highest-quality programming."
Sky's drama team consists of Anne Mensah , Head of Drama; Huw Kennair-Jones , Commissioning Editor, Drama; Madonna Baptiste , Commissioning Editor, Drama; Beverly Booker , Head of Development, Drama; Nicola Larder , Drama Development Executive and Daniel Walker , Development Co-Ordinator.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
FULL BREAKDOWN OF DRAMA SLATE ANNOUNCEMENTS
SKY 1 HD
Joining Sky 1's existing dramas such as which will return for a fourth series (10 x 60', A Sky and Cinemax/HBO co-production from Left Bank Pictures), and brand new programmes such as (2 x 60', Company Pictures) and (8 x 60', Kudos), comes a further series:
* (2 x 60', Left Bank Pictures) - written by Cris Cole . Having launched in 2011 and captivated Sky customers ever since, a thrilling two-part conclusion to the story of the four hapless holidaymakers has now been greenlit. , , and reunite to film the fourth and final instalment in the story this February and Sky 1 HD viewers can catch the third series of this Spring.
SKY ATLANTIC HD
Following on from the channel's first original drama successes; Red Productions' and Mammoth Screen's and adding to the recently announced
(a 10 x 60' co-production with Canal+) Sky is pleased to announce today:
* (4 x 60', Ecosse Films) - Hollywood actor will take up the lead role in this new series based on the life of Bond creator
Ian Fleming . Since was published in 1953, the world has been fascinated with James Bond. This four part series will take a no holds barred look at
Ian Fleming , the man behind the James Bond legend, whose real life was as exciting, eventful and sexually charged as his famous creation.
SKY LIVING HD
Sky Living's previously announced (10 x 60'), a Sky and NBC co-production from Playground Entertainment) starring begins filming this summer. This will be followed with The Reckless Season, which will bring together some of Britain's most renowned and critically-acclaimed female screenwriters for a series of drama pilots. Three dramas are commissioned thus far with a further two to follow:
* (2 x 60', Bonafide Films) - written by ( ,
).
This two parter tells the story of Fiona, a newly qualified detective on her first murder case. Adapted from the Harry Bingham book, this rookie heroine may be set to find out that enthusiasm can prove deadly.
* (1 x 60', a Kudos and Pirate co-production). Written and directed by
( , ), Reubenesque takes an unashamedly naked look at modern women with a story that centres on a female football referee's journey to becoming a plus size model.
* (1 x 60', Red Productions) - written by ( )
This single drama tells the story of two five hundred year old witches battling it out in modern day
Britain . When this powerful duo go to war, everyone else is simply collateral.
SKY ARTS HD
Following on from last spring's hugely successful season of plays, Sky Arts has confirmed a second season of Playhouse Presents featuring a plethora of British talent:
* (1 x 30', Sprout Pictures) - written and directed by ( ) For every star that is born…one has to die. When the star of the show suffers a tragic accident who is to blame? The understudy? A faulty trap door? Or the theatre's lucky cat? This dark comedy drama stars , , , , and
* (1 x 30', Sprout Pictures) - written by ( ) and directed by ( ). This unique piece of poetic realism mines the tragic seam of adolescent love and loss.
* (1 x 30', Eleven Film) - created by . A deeply personal, and comic, drama that follows young transvestite, Andrew, as he battles with self-doubt.
* (1 x 30', Cajun Pictures and Company Pictures) - written by .
follows two coppers as they cruise the streets of
South East London in the wee small hours discussing life, the universe and everything else amidst the surreal world of the night.
* (1 x 30', Sprout Pictures) - written and directed by
Idris Elba .
is a taught and sexy drama about Jenny ( ,
, ), a woman in search of satisfaction, in a world of accounting.
* (1 x 30', Sprout Pictures) - written and directed by , based on a short story by
Leonard B. Francavilla . A disturbance at Union Square leads to some strange encounters for two policemen in this funny and poignant portrait of loneliness in the city. Starring
, ,
and .
These five original dramas will be joined by a raft of new comedies completing this year's strand.
About Sky
Sky is the UK and Ireland's leading home entertainment and communications company. Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.
Sky is the UK's biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.3 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living , Sky Arts , Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News. Around two-thirds of Sky's content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes. More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.
Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator. Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.
Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi. NOW TV, Sky's second consumer brand, builds on the company's leadership in internet TV. Sky is also the UK's fastest-growing home communications company and favourite 'triple-play' provider of TV, broadband and home phone.
Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts. Sky employs 23,000 people, has annual revenues of £6.8 billion and is estimated to support a £5.4 billion contribution to UK GDP. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY). http://www.sky.com/corporate