BBC America has announced the first two series to come to the cabler as part of the co-development deal between BBC Worldwide and AMC Networks: Peter Moffat’s political thriller “Undercover” and Marnie Dickens’ mystery series “Thirteen.”
A six-part limited series, “Undercover” follows a woman who is about to become the first black woman to hold the highest ranking public prosecutor role in England. It stars Sophie Okonedo and Adrian Lester and is executive produced by Hilary Salmon, head of BBC Drama Production England, for BBC One and BBC America.
“Thirteen” is a five-part mystery thriller and psychological drama that follows Ivy Moxham (Jodie Comer) on the day she escapes from the cellar where she’d been held captive for the last 13 year. It is produced by BBC In-House Drama Production England and executive produced by Elizabeth Kilgarrif for BBC Three and BBC America.
Both will air on BBC America in 2016.
Popular on Variety
Sarah Barnett, BBC America’s president and g.m., announced the news in Los Angeles at the Television Critics Association.
“The scripted TV explosion in recent years has affirmed over and over that strong visionaries are the heart of creative and commercial success. At BBC America we’re doubling down on extraordinary creator-led projects, said Barnett, adding “The BBC is a creative powerhouse and we’re delighted to partner with them on these provocative, contemporary stories. Peter Moffat is one of the UK’s most vibrant and acclaimed screenwriters, while new talent Marnie Dickens brings a singular voice and perspective to her first original series. We can’t wait to launch these shows on the network.”
Barnett announced a hefty development slate that features Max Landis’ adaptation of the Douglas Adams novel “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency” — which she called “weird and wonderful” — and an untitled project from “Deutschland ’83” creator Anna Winger.
BBC America’s development slate includes:
• “Dirk Gently,” an adaptation of Douglas Adams’ (“Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”) wildly successful comic novel, “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency,” is an anthology series set in the unexpected world of the hyper, absurd, ridiculous Dirk Gently. With an utterly fresh, comically self-aware tone, this series is equally sincere in its danger, humor, violence and drama. Penned by Max Landis – the mind behind cult classic Chronicle – this series is produced by IDW, Circle of Confusion and Ideate for BBC America.
• An untitled project from prolific filmmaker Sebastian Silva. Using unconventional storytelling – including real people – Silva explores humorous, absurd and uncomfortably raw stories of 21st century dating in our impulsive era of swiping and liking. Sebastian Silva is the writer/director of 2015 Sundance and Berlinale selection “Nasty Baby” starring Kristen Wiig and Golden Globe®-nominated “The Maid.” A24 is attached to produce.
• “Moths,” which follows a young American woman whose reckless quest for thrill and adventure takes her to the epicenter of Tokyo’s Shibuya sub-culture scene. After an unthinkable crime occurs, she finds herself face-to-face with an unfamiliar, ancient and intractable world. Tony Wood and Cineflix are attached to produce.
• The Greater Good from Oscar-nominated filmmaker Dana Shapiro (“Murderball”) is the provocative, fictionalized story of Cora Jones, lone survivor of the Jonestown massacre where 918 of her fellow cult members died. She was saved, she believes, to rid the world of false prophets but, as her own fame as an atheist preacher grows, she begins to morph into the very thing she’s been railing against. This compelling drama about faith, family, hubris, paranoia and healing is also a cautionary tale about the rise and fall of an American leader. It is produced by Lakeshore Entertainment (“Underworld”).
• An untitled comic-noir thriller from Anders August set in a 1950s resort follows the social climbing of a disarming young woman who turns out to be a dangerous sociopath. Anders August wrote the Oscar-nominated film The Pig and was executive producer of Follow the Money which premiered at the 2015 Berlin Film Festival. Michael London (“The Illusionist,” “Sideways”) is attached to produce.
• An untitled project from Anna Winger. A family drama, an amped up adventure, and a celebration of the city of Berlin today, this journey is a darkly humorous exploration of colliding worlds, the unifying bonds of loss, and the dangerous pursuit of answers in a utopian city. Anna Winger is the creator of international series, “Deutschland ’83.”
