07.01.04
A&E
signs up for third series of Spooks
The
third series of the hit Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE drama, Spooks, has been licensed
to A&E Networks in the US, following a successful run of the
first two series on the channel. The deal was brokered by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sales
Company in New York.
Renamed
MI-5 for the US, series one and two of the show aired on A&E
in Spring/Summer 2003, with a run of 14 episodes, to critical acclaim.
The
life-and-death answers to the second series' exhilarating cliff-hanger
- did Tom Quinn drown? Before he went into the sea, did he kill
his boss Harry Pearce? And, if Tom is alive, is he still on our
side? - will be revealed in the third series, in which the MI5 team
returns with high-tech exploits and top-secret subterfuge.
Ten
new one-hour episodes start filming in the UK in January until July
2004 and will premiere in the US on the A&E Network in late
2004.
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."
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 third series will air on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE in the UK
in autumn 2004. When the second series aired in the UK, it received
huge critical acclaim.
Spooks
is a Kudos production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE. The third series is produced
by Andrew Woodhead and the executive producers are Jane Featherstone
and Simon Crawford Collins 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.
Notes
to editors:
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Worldwide Americas (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔWA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide,
the commercial consumer arm of the British Broadcasting Corporation
(Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ). Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Sales Company, a joint venture of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Americas
(Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔWA) and Discovery Communications, Inc. (DCI) licenses, co-produces
and distributes television programs in the United States and Canada
on behalf of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and DCI.
Nominated
for more Emmy Awards in the past two years than any other basic
US cable network, A&E offers a diverse mix of original movies,
relevant documentary specials and series, including Biography, dramatic
series and contemporary performances. In 2002, A&E Network won
six Emmy Awards, including one for BIOGRAPHY as Outstanding Non-Fiction
Series (Informational). In 2000, A&E Network was awarded the
Governors Award from The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
for The Biography Project for Schools. A&E Network is available
in more than 85 million Nielsen homes in the United States.
Kudos
Film and Television, makers of Spooks (MI-5), is a dynamic UK independent
production company, highly regarded in the British film and television
industry. Led by Joint Managing Directors Stephen Garrett and Jane
Featherstone, Kudos prides itself on its investment in new talent
and its ability to make distinctive, original and award-winning
film and television drama. Spooks has consistently attracted high
ratings and critical acclaim across the world, and the third series
is currently in production in the UK. The DVD of series one is released
in America in January.
Kudos' reputation is exemplified by its portfolio of award-winning
productions: Channel 4 drama Psychos; the International Emmy award-winning
children's series The Magician's House (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE); highly-acclaimed
feature film Among Giants; and the Grammy-nominated film about Radiohead,
Meeting People Is Easy.
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