±«Óãtv

Joint press release from the ±«Óãtv and ±«Óãtv Worldwide

Ambitious eight part drama series Death In Paradise announced today from new television writer Robert Thorogood, produced by Red Planet Pictures and Atlantique Productions in association with ±«Óãtv Worldwide and Kudos Film and Television for ±«Óãtv One and France Televisions, produced with support from the region of Guadeloupe.

Death In Paradise is a fish-out-of-water story about a quintessential English cop posted to the Caribbean island of Sainte Marie. To anyone else it would be paradise, but for Detective Inspector Richard Gill it's hell! Totally unsuited to the Caribbean way of life, Richard hates the sun, sea and sand and isn't used to their style of policing. But he is a brilliant detective whose first case on the island is investigating the murder of a British cop. Working with the exotic local Camille, each week Richard goes about solving an intricate and intriguing murder.

The announcement follows a deal brokered by ±«Óãtv Worldwide to secure a co-production agreement with French public broadcaster France Televisions. The series will be co-developed with both broadcasters for audiences in the UK and France.

Tony Jordan, Executive Producer, Red Planet Pictures, says: "I'm thrilled that we've brought the ±«Óãtv and FTV together for this project, we are all on the same page creatively which has made the process much easier and it will be a show that plays well on both networks. It's not just a ground breaking deal, it's also a platform for creatives from both regions to collaborate and to explore ways we can work together in the future."

Polly Hill, ±«Óãtv Executive Producer, ±«Óãtv says: "Death In Paradise is a wonderful mix of a fish out of water tale and great crime puzzles. We are thrilled to be making this with Red Planet and FTV and to be bringing Robert's wonderful scripts to screen. We hope it will prove a real treat for the ±«Óãtv One audience next year."

This is the first time that France Televisions is co-producing a drama series with the ±«Óãtv and the collaboration between the broadcasters and Red Planet Pictures is taking place across all phases; script, production and casting. The filming is set to take place in Guadalupe, a French overseas département and the post production will take place in London.

Sophie Gigon from France Televisions says: "This is a great example of our international co-production work, based on the universal theme of crime investigation with a comedy touch. We've combined English and French creative talent to aim for a production that will be light hearted but meaningful. We are thrilled, this is our first ever drama series co-production with ±«Óãtv and ±«Óãtv Worldwide, and hopefully the first of many."

Ben Donald, Executive Producer International Drama, ±«Óãtv Worldwide, says: "I am delighted France Televisions has come on board to co-produce this superb title. France Televisions has long been a valued co-production partner of ±«Óãtv Worldwide in the factual genre and we are thrilled to break new ground by bringing them together with ±«Óãtv Drama and Red Planet Pictures on this series."

Klaus Zimmermann, CEO, Atlantique Productions, says: "It's very rare to come across a concept like Death In Paradise that has the potential for a co-production between different countries. This joint development and production between the UK and France is unique and will most certainly be the first of many. Cross border productions, creatively and economically, will increasingly become a reality and as producers it is part of our job to encourage and stimulate broadcasters and talent to explore these opportunities."

Casting is still to be announced and filming will start next Spring. Commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller, ±«Óãtv Drama Commissioning, executive producers are Tony Jordan for Red Planet Pictures and Polly Hill at the ±«Óãtv. Death In Paradise is a Red Planet Pictures/Atlantique Productions in association with ±«Óãtv Worldwide and Kudos Film and TV for ±«Óãtv and France Televisions.

Notes to Editors

Death In Paradise is Robert Thorogood's first television screen credit; he was discovered through Red Planet Pictures annual writing competition "The Red Planet Prize" and selected as one of the finalists who was then mentored by Executive Producer Tony Jordan and Simon Winstone (Head of Development).

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