Prime Video & CBC Buy Sophie Turner-Starring ‘Joan‘
Joan, the ITV and CW drama starring Sophie Turner as jewel thief Joan Hannington, has sold to the likes of Prime Video, CBC and BritBox. In Africa, a pan-territory deal has been struck with Prime Video, while in Australia, Stan has the rights following a deal with distributor All3Media International. BBC Studios struck a deal covering Asia (including India and the Indian subcontinent) for SVOD drama channel BBC First and BBC Player, while in Canada, CBC has premiere rights with BritBox taking a second window. NBCUniversal bought the six-parter in a pan-territory deal in Latin America, while New Zealand’s Sky Network Television snapped it up. In Europe, Magenta TV (Germany), SVT (Sweden), NPO (Netherlands), DR (Denmark), NRK (Norway), YLE (Finland), Canal+ (France and French-speaking territories), Blue Entertainment (German-speaking Switzerland and Lichtenstein), RTÉ (Ireland), Hellenic Telecommunications (Greece) and Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (Cyprus) acquired the show. Israel’s Hot is also on board. Joan, from Snowed-In Productions, follows Turner as Hannington, a fiery and uncompromising mother in the 1980s who adopts a new identity and becomes a master jewel thief. Also starring are Frank Dillane, Kirsty J Curtis, Gershwyn Eustache Jnr, Laura Aikman, Nick Blood, Jack Greenlees, Alex Blake, Caroline Faber and Dorothy Atkinson. Anna Symon is the writer and Richard Laxton is the director.
Ken Ochiai Producing Junayed Alavi’s ‘Terror Tales’
Saigon Bodyguards and Daddy Issues director Ken Ochiai is collaborating with Indian filmmaker Junayed Alavi to produce horror anthology Terror Tales. The 10 stories will deal with social and psychological issues and explore India’s rich folklore. The film is currently in production under Ochiai’s Photosynth Entertainment. Alavi wrote the script. Cast includes Manasi Sinha, Anirban Guha and Aryann Bhowmik who was recently seen in Bollywood biopic Maidaan. Ochiai told Deadline, “From the moment I saw [Alavi’s] earlier works, I knew he had something special. His consistency in creating high-quality short films and his dedication to honing his craft are inspiring. He is truly a hidden gem in Indian cinema.” Alavi is known for horror short Hunger which was championed by Moon Knight writer/producer Peter Cameron. He is also working on his debut feature, Sapiens.
Netflix Film ‘The Shadow Strays’ Gets Trailer
Here’s a teaser trailer for The Shadow Strays, the Netflix action from that’s written and directed by Timo Tjahjanto. The director is known for Night Comes for Us, V/H/S anthologies and May the Devil Take You. He also directed Netflix original The Big 4, which topped the streamer’s Global Top 10 Films (Non-English) chart. The Shadow Strays teaser opens with young assassin with the codename “13” lying on the floor, surrounded by raging flames. She is suspended after botching a mission and soon befriends Monji, a boy who recently lost his mother to a crime syndicate. However, Monji disappears and 13 embarks on a quest to find him, even if it means going against her mentor and the organization she belongs to, called “The Shadows.” The Shadow Strays will screen in the Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness section, before premiering on Netflix on October 17. The film stars Aurora Ribero, Hana Malasan, Ali Fikry, Adipati Dolken and Andri Mashadi. Frontier Pictures is the producer.
‘Murder Trial’ Indie Firecrest Hires Merle Currie
Firecrest Films, the British indie behind doc series Murder Trial, has hired Merle Currie as an executive producer. She is relocating from London to Glasgow to take up the role at Firecrest’s Govan office. Currie has worked for the likes of Minnow Films, The Garden and Label1, developing shows such as BBC Two’s Hospital and World’s Collide: The Manchester Bombing. Production credits include Stacey Dooley Investigates. Firecrest’s new series include political doc Salmond and Sturgeon: A Troubled Union and a recommission of Paramedics on Scene. “Merle’s a real talent and someone I know will fit right in with both our output and our team,” said Firecrest Creative Director Iain Scollay. The news comes a day after UK trade Broadcast reported Label1 has been closed down by parent Fremantle, as the tough local production market claims another indie.
Blink49 Emerges As ‘Beast Games’ Partner
Canada’s Blink49 Studios has emerged as a production partner in MrBeast and Prime Video’s reality show Beast Games. The Fifth Season-backed company acted as services producer on the show, in which 1,000 participants took on challenges to win a $5M prize. Toby Dormer, Executive Vice President, Blink49 Studios, said it was positive to see “such a large-scale production take advantage of Canada’s talented crews and competitive tax credits.” Beast Games has been under fire over treatment on contestants, who claim their were badly treated during the production. A spokesperson for the show told Deadline a formal review of processes had been launched following a scathing New York Times story.
