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09.01.03
Spooks
heads for US
The
hit Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE drama series, Spooks, will debut on A&E Networks
in the US, following a landmark deal brokered by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sales Company
in New York.
Renamed
MI5 for the US, series one and two of the show will air on A&E
in Spring/Summer 2003. A re-edited, two-episode TV movie, followed
by a run of 14 episodes, will start the series on US screens.
This
new deal represents the first of its kind with A&E, with the
network's commitment to two series of a show before the first has
aired in the US.
Candace
Carlisle, Chief Operating Officer, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sales Company, commenting
on the deal said, "the show's fast pace and topical themes,
together with great production values and an attractive cast, gives
the series immense international appeal and a perfect fit for A&E's
schedule. I am delighted the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and A&E are continuing their
long and successful relationship with such a high profile and internationally
successful series."
Abbe
Raven, Executive Vice President/General Manager, A&E Network,
added "We are very excited to add MI5 to our primetime summer
line-up. MI5 is truly riveting. This series is drama that's compelling,
intelligent, and timely. It speaks to the high stakes in the world
around us, and it brings our audience high stakes, high quality
drama in every episode."
Starring
Matthew Macfadyen (Perfect Strangers/US title - Almost Strangers),
Keeley Hawes (Tipping The Velvet), David Oyelowo (A Sound of Thunder),
Peter Firth (Amistad, Hunt For Red October) and Jenny Agutter (A
Respectable Trade), the series is an action-packed thriller about
the undercover world of the British Security Service MI5. As the
team works to thwart the activities of terrorists operating within
the UK, they must also battle with the dangerous and psychologically
demanding aspects of their work and the effect it can have on their
personal lives.
The
recently commissioned second series will air on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE in the UK
in Spring 2003. When the first series aired in the UK in May this
year, it attracted a 41% audience share, with nine million viewers
and received huge critical acclaim from the media:
Spooks
is a Kudos production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE and is currently filming in London
and at Pinewood Studios in the UK for transmission next year. The
producer is Simon Crawford-Collins and the executive producers are
Stephen Garrett and Jane Featherstone for Kudos and Gareth Neame,
Head of Independent Drama Commissioning for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. Spooks was
created by David Wolstencroft. Also writing for the series are Simon
Mirren, Matthew Graham, Steve Bailie, Ben Richards and Howard Brenton.
Jane
Featherstone says of the series: "Spooks is a topical and edgy
drama about passion, jeopardy and the intrigue of people who have
to lie for a living - and who can never tell the truth to their
loved ones about what it is that they do. Our "spooks"
are heroic in the way that only ordinary people doing ordinary things
can be. They are people like you and me, but they are dealing with
a pro-life activist one week, a racist terrorist conspiracy the
next, and an embassy siege the week after that."
Gareth
Neame, Head of Independent Drama Commissioning, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ added, "In
a world where the role of the intelligence services and secret agents
is being thrown into greater relief, Spooks is a timely drama from
a first class creative team and a superb cast. It demonstrates the
kind of smart, edgy, contemporary drama series the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is making
and is evidence of the strength, innovation and quality of British
TV drama."
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