#SmallScreenScenes AMC Networks’ Acorn TV Acquires BBC One Detective Drama BLOODLANDS From Hat Trick International
AMC Networks’ streaming service Acorn TV acquires exclusive U.S. and Canadian rights to BBC One Irish detective drama Bloodlands from Hat Trick International and executive producer Jed Mercurio (Line of Duty, Bodyguard). Set in Northern Ireland and written by Chris Brandon (Red Rock), the gripping, four-part Irish crime thriller stars James Nesbitt (The Hobbit, The Missing, Cold Feet) as a veteran detective going into his own dark past to try an solve a cold case. The Acorn TV Original will make its US and Canadian premieres this fall soon after BBC One’s UK Premiere. Bloodlands marks the first commission for Jed Mercurio’s production company, Hat Trick Mercurio Television (HTM).
When an expensive car containing a suicide note – but no body – is pulled from the sea, veteran Northern Ireland police detective Tom Brannick (James Nesbitt) instantly sees the connection to an infamous cold case that holds enormous personal significance for him – a notorious and long-buried series of mysterious disappearances. Bloodlands follows Tom Brannick’s obsessive campaign to identify and unmask the semi-mythical figure behind these events – a figure code-named Goliath, after the giant shipyard cranes, Samson and Goliath that dominate the Belfast skyline. It’s a case that comes from Tom’s – and his country’s – dark past.
Don Klees, SVP of Programming, Acorn TV, said, “After Acorn TV’s success with Line of Duty, we’re thrilled to partner with Jed Mercurio again as well as Hat Trick and talented writer Chris Brandon to bring this excellent crime thriller to US audiences. With a powerhouse lead performance from James Nesbitt and a riveting script, we can’t wait for US audiences to see Bloodlands.”
Sarah Tong, Director of Sales at Hat Trick International, commented, “I’m delighted that Bloodlands has landed in the US and Canada on Acorn TV. Created by the exceptional combination of Chris and Jed and starring multiple-award-winning James Nesbitt, Bloodlands is a prime example of the type of dynamic and suspenseful drama that audiences throughout the world are eager to see.”
Besides Mercurio, Bloodlands is executive produced by Jimmy Mulville and Mark Redhead for HTM and Tommy Bulfin for BBC. Pete Travis (Omagh, The Go-Between) is the director and Christopher Hall (The Durrells) is producing. Filming will take place in and around Belfast and Strangford Lough.
AMC Networks’ Acorn TV is North America’s largest streaming service specializing in British and international television with over 1 million paid subscribers in the U.S and Canada as well as subscribers worldwide in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America. Acorn TV adds exclusive new programs every week to a deep library of mysteries, dramas, and comedies with no commercials. In 2020, Acorn TV has featured the Irish period mystery series Dead Still, British dramas Deadwater Fell starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo, Gold Digger starring Julia Ormond, and highly-rated BBC One drama The Nest; as well as several returning favorites including Acorn TV’s first feature film with Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears. Coming up, Acorn TV has the U.S. Premieres BBC One sitcom The Other One (Monday, Aug. 10), French drama Family Business (Monday, Aug. 24), as well as New Zealand thriller The Sounds (Sept. 3) and award-winning Australian drama Mystery Road, Series 2 (Oct.). Website: Acorn.TV
About AMC Networks
Known for its ground-breaking and celebrated original content, AMC Networks (NASDAQ:AMCX) is the company behind the award-winning brands AMC, BBC AMERICA, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, and IFC Films. Its diverse line-up of popular and critically-acclaimed series and independent films include Killing Eve, Better Call Saul and The Walking Dead, which has been the #1 show on basic cable television for ten consecutive years, as well as Documentary Now!, Brockmire, Love After Lockup, and the films Boyhood, Death of Stalin, and many more. Its original series Mad Men and Breaking Bad are widely recognized as being among the most influential and acclaimed shows in the history of TV. The Company also operates AMC Studios, its production business; AMC Networks International, its international programming business; the subscription streaming services Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now; and UMC (Urban Movie Channel); RLJE Films; and Levity Entertainment Group, the Company’s production services and comedy venues business. For more information, visit http://www.amcnetworks.com.
About Hat Trick
Hat Trick International (HTI) was established in 1998 to internationally distribute the award winning formats and finished shows created by Hat Trick Productions. Since then, HTI has gone from strength to strength; representing programming from both Hat Trick Productions and other independent producers, including Keo Films, Plum Pictures and Emporium Productions and now boasts a portfolio of 2000 hours of content. HTI’s hit shows form cornerstones in schedules throughout the globe, including Have I Got News for You, Episodes and Derry Girls, plus factual titles such as George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, Killer Women with Piers Morgan, Hugh’s War on Waste and the multi award winning Exodus: Our Journey to Europe. www.hattrickinternational.com
