The international distributor has closed a deal for the BBC One period drama with Spanish network Cosmo TV, in addition to other broadcasters in Australia, Benelux, Africa, the Netherlands, the UK and New Zealand.
Keshet International (KI) announced a raft of sales deals for the star-studded BBC One period drama which has just completed its premiere run to rave reviews in the UK.
In Spain, KI has completed a deal with the female-skewing Cosmo TV, which showcases acquired scripted TV and film, for the first window rights of The Trial of Christine Keeler
In Australia, KI has sold the first broadcast window rights for The Trial of Christine Keeler -described by the Radio Times as “an extremely handsome, expensive-looking production that wouldn’t look out of place dropped into a run of The Crown”- to the premium drama channel BBC First, with Australia’s national broadcaster ABC taking the second window.
BBC First has also picked up in the first window rights for Amanda Coe’s retelling of the “Profumo Affair” in Benelux and Africa, with KI selling the second window rights in the Netherlands to Dutch public service broadcaster NPO.
In the UK, Acorn Media International has acquired the home video rights for this six-part series; with KI also selling the home video and digital rights for both Australia and New Zealand to ABC’s Home Entertainment division. Discussions are on-going with various broadcast partners and platforms for the UK’s highest rating drama of the 2019 festive period.
Written by BAFTA award-winning novelist and screenwriter Amanda Coe and starring James Norton, Sophie Cookson, Emilia Fox, Ellie Bamber and Ben Miles, The Trial of Christine Keeler brings one of the most controversial political sex scandals of modern times up to date with a contemporary rendition of the infamous “Profumo Affair”.
Writer Amanda Coe and director Andrea Harkin evocatively recreate London in the Swinging Sixties to retell this compelling true story of sex, politics and power from Christine’s perspective for the very first time. Produced by Ecosse Films and Great Meadow Productions, this high-profile 6×60’ drama received its world premiere screening at Content London 2019 ahead of its debut on BBC One on 29 December.
Keren Shahar, KI’s COO and President of Distribution said: “It’s been an honour bringing this stunning drama to market, and it’s no surprise that many partners came on board early, ahead of the series’ debut on BBC One. By retelling this scandal from Christine’s perspective for the first time, this compelling period piece feels relevant and so very contemporary, despite depicting real-life events from nearly six decades ago.”
Filmed on location in and around Bristol, The Trial of Christine Keeler was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, and Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama. Executive producers are Kate Triggs and Douglas Rae for Ecosse Films; Amanda Coe; and Lucy Richer for the BBC.
Keshet International distributes the series internationally, alongside Endeavor Content in the US. The Trial of Christine Keeler is the first project to be supported by the KI Content Fund.
