In today’s Global Bulletin, a two-parter on the BBC’s controversial 1995 interview with Princess Diana sells around the world; “Catfish U.K.” plans to premiere four episodes on MTV U.K. this spring; and Women in Film and Television U.K. is to expand its mentoring programs for mid-career women to Scotland and Wales.
U.K. production funding and distribution agency Drive has sold two-part documentary series “The Diana Interview: Revenge of a Princess” to Channel Nine in Australia, REELZ in the U.S., TV 2 in Norway, Servus TV in Austria, RTL Netherlands and TVNOW in Germany, to broadcast this year.
Produced by Minnow Films for U.K. broadcaster ITV, the series focuses on the controversial 1995 interview when Diana, Princess of Wales, poured her heart out on current affairs show “Panorama” to BBC journalist Martin Bashir.
The series looks at what led to this watershed moment and hears from those who witnessed her marriage descend into tragedy and, through previously unseen documents and footage, as well as eyewitness territory from inside the interview room, discover how and why this extraordinary interview came about.
Drive has also sold 13-episode true crime series “Poisonous Liaisons” to AMC Networks’ streamer Sundance Now for North America; coral survival documentary “Reef Rescue” to NHK in Japan and PBS NOVA in the U.S.; LGBTQ focused documentary “Cured” to Israel’s Yes, ORF in Austria and SVT in Sweden; and 30-episode helicopter medics series “Helicopter ER” to Sky New Zealand and Spike in the Netherlands.
“Catfish U.K.”
ViacomCBS International Studios U.K.
SERIES
“Catfish U.K.,” the U.K. version of cult U.S. show “Catfish: The TV Show” will premiere four episodes on MTV U.K. this spring, with six more episodes to follow later in the year.
Produced by ViacomCBS International Studios U.K., “Catfish U.K.” is the first international version of U.S. show. It follows the real-life stories of individuals in online relationships with partners they’ve never met in person.
Radio and TV presenter Julie Adenuga (“Greatness Only”) and writer and filmmaker Oobah Butler (“Vice Life Hacks With Oobah Butler”).
“Catfish U.K.” is commissioned by Craig Orr and Kerry Taylor for MTV International. The show is executive produced by Orr for MTV International and Kate Amarnani for ViacomCBS International Studios U.K.
MENTORING PROGRAM
Women in Film and Television U.K. has expanded its mentoring programs for mid-career women to include Scotland and Wales, complementing those that already exist in England and Northern Ireland.
Forty one mentees have been selected to take part in this year’s U.K. programs – designed for women looking to take a significant step in their careers. Each of the participants are paired up with senior industry professionals for six hours of mentoring contact. This runs alongside peer-to-peer training and seminars, WFTV events, and wider industry networking opportunities over six months.
Mentors taking part in this year’s editions include writer Sally Wainwright, Peter Fincham, co-CEO of Expectation Entertainment, directors Sarah Gavron and Philippa Lowthorpe, David Abraham, CEO of Wonderhood Studios, Channel 4 commissioning editor Fozia Khan, and presenter and journalist Ellie Flynn.
The England program is run in association with ScreenSkills and is supported by BBC, UKTV and Channel 4. The new programs launched in Scotland and Wales are supported by Netflix, who also sponsor the existing program in Northern Ireland.
Heading up the overall program this year is WFTV’s director of mentoring Tracy Forsyth. WFTV has also recruited mentor producers Karen Kelly in Scotland, and running the Welsh program will be Hannah Corneck. Sarah McCaffrey will continue to run the program in Northern Ireland.
ScreenSkills is supporting the Four Nations Mentoring Scheme with National Lottery funds awarded by the BFI.