The darkly comedic Cold War thriller produced by Sid Gentle Films has been acquired by Stan in Australia, Sky in New Zealand, Hot in Israel and OSN+ across the Middle East and North Africa. The six-part series held its world premiere at Mipcom Cannes 2026.
Fifth Season has announced the first wave of international presales for Honey, the new Cold War espionage thriller produced by BBC Studios-owned Sid Gentle Films for BBC iPlayer, BBC One and ZDF, in association with Fifth Season, which handles worldwide distribution.
The agreements include Stan in Australia, Sky in New Zealand, Hot in Israel and OSN+ across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
The six-part, 60-minute series held its world premiere on Monday, October 12, at Mipcom Cannes 2026, with a screening at the Palais des Festivals’ Grand Auditorium.
Set in East Berlin in 1982, Honey follows Martha, a 24-year-old undercover MI6 agent who enters the shadowy world of counterespionage and finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle. The series blends romance, intrigue and dark comedy against the political tensions of the Cold War.
The cast is led by Ann Skelly (House of Guinness, The Nevers), Nate Mann (Masters of the Air, Licorice Pizza), Jannis Niewöhner (Munich: The Edge of War, Napoleon) and Rory Kinnear (The Diplomat, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power).
Emma Moran serves as lead writer and executive producer, with Emme Hoy also contributing to the scripts. Sally Woodward Gentle and Lee Morris executive produce for Sid Gentle Films, with Christopher Hall producing. Toby MacDonald directs the first three episodes, while Michelle Savill directs the remaining three.
“Honey is exactly the kind of bold, distinctive series we want to bring to the international market. It has the sharp wit, complex characters and unexpected turns that audiences respond to, but with its own completely original voice,” said Jennifer Ebell, EVP, Television Distribution at Fifth Season.
“Emma Moran and Sid Gentle team have created a series that is smart, sexy and hugely entertaining, and the response from buyers ahead of its Mipcom premiere has been extremely encouraging,” she added.
The world premiere in Cannes was accompanied by a Q&A featuring Ann Skelly, Sally Woodward Gentle, Emma Moran and Jennifer Ebell.
Alongside Honey, Fifth Season is showcasing a scripted slate at Mipcom that includes Legacy of Spies, the new John le Carré adaptation produced by The Ink Factory and starring Matthew Macfadyen; Recap, the psychological mystery thriller from K Period Media; and a new adaptation of the classic Treasure Island from Playground Entertainment.
