The real-time thriller is set to launch in 147 markets worldwide.
Following its recent successful premiere in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, Fremantle today announced a multitude of global deals for the high-octane drama series Nightsleeper that will see the thriller launch in 147 territories worldwide.
Joining the previously announced TF1 (France) are the likes of M-Net (Africa), VRT (Belgium), HRT (Croatia), CyBC (Cyprus), DR (Denmark), Yle (Finland), COSMOTE TV (Greece), RUV (Iceland), HOT (Israel), Cellcom (Israel), Yes (Israel), LTV (Latvia), NPO (Netherlands), NRK (Norway), Canais TVCine – NOS (Portugal), Movistar Plus+ (Spain), SVT (Sweden), RTS (Switzerland), Stan (Australia), WOWOW (Japan), Three (New Zealand), PBS Ltd (Malta) and Universal+ (Latin America).
The raft of global sales follows recent successful launches in the UK, Australia, and France to critical acclaim. In the UK, the series was a big hit for the BBC with episode one recording a mammoth 8.5 million viewers (28-day figure), making it one of the UK’s most watched dramas of the year. Viewership continues to surge as the series has audiences gripped, with its captivating storylines drawing viewers back for more.
The series has garnered praise from UK media, with The Daily Express calling the show a “twisted, high-octane hit” and The Guardian saying that the drama “takes the nerve-jangling suspense of 24 and Bodyguard and speeds them up.”
In Australia, the series launched on Stan and quickly became a hit with Australian critics, with Jessica Layt from Australian Community Media calling it “one hell of a ride, and one of the most joyously satisfying things you’ll watch this year,” and The Sydney Morning Herald listing Nightsleeper among the best new shows to stream in October.
Le Parisien urged viewers to “hold on tight as Nightsleeper is a thriller with a frenetic pace’ as the series launched to rave reviews and impressive ratings on TF1 in France on October 9th. Episode one captured 17.4% market share with an incredible 3.25 million viewers, whilst episode two averaged 2.66 million viewers with a 18.3% market share. The first two episodes have showcased the series” broad appeal across audiences having won a 20% share of the 25-49 year old market since launch.
Jens Richter, CEO Commercial and International, Fremantle said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with such an exciting mix of esteemed global broadcasters to continue introducing Nightsleeper to audiences around the world. The series delivers pulse-pounding action, unpredictable twists, whilst featuring the exceptional talents of Joe Cole, Alexandra Roach, and an outstanding ensemble cast. It has become a firm favourite amongst critics and audiences not only in the UK, but oversees too, and we’re confident it will continue to resonate with fans across every market.”
Kate Harwood, Executive Producer, said: “Nick Leather and I are thrilled to hear that our train has arrived successfully into so many global territories. Nightsleeper was a demanding production, but its success has been immensely satisfying and fun to experience.”
Nightsleeper is a real-time thriller about the hacking of a sleeper train travelling from Glasgow to London, and a government agency’s frantic efforts to intervene in the rapidly escalating events onboard. Can two people who’ve never met, one on the train and one not, work together to save the lives of its disparate group of passengers as the Heart of Britain overnight service hurtles towards what might quite literally be its final destination?
Produced by Fremantle’s Euston Films for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, the 6×60 series is written by BAFTA award-winning writer Nick Leather (The Control Room) and stars Alexandra Roach (The Light in the Hall) and Joe Cole (Gangs of London, Peaky Blinders).
Nightsleeper is created and written by Nick Leather with Laura Grace (Episodes 4 and 5). Leather also executively produces alongside Kate Harwood and Jamie Magnus Stone and Gaynor Holmes for the BBC. The series is directed by Jamie Magnus Stone (Dr Who) and John Hayes (Dublin Murders). The producer is Jonathan Curling (The Sister, Baghdad Central) and Co-Producer is Daisy Costello. Fremantle handles global sales.
