CBS, TF1, Global, eOne team for Spotnitz drama

A host of international broadcasters are joining forces on Ransom, a new drama series about a crisis negotiator.

The project has been with Canadian net Global since 2014 and TF1 was already on board. US broadcaster CBS has now been added to the list of partners by Entertainment One Television, which is selling the series internationally.

The straight to series project will run to 13 episodes and star Luke Roberts (Black Sails, pictured) as an expert hostage and crisis negotiator.

The series was created by Frank Spotnitz (Man in the High Castle) and David Vainola (Combat Hospital) and is based on the experiences of real-life crisis negotiator Laurent Combalbert.

Spotnitz will exec produce and his prodco, Big Light Productions, eOne, Sienna Films and Wildcats Productions are making the show.

“We are delighted to partner with CBS, TF1 and Global to bring Ransom to screens around the world,” said John Morayniss, CEO, eOne Television. “We are especially grateful to the Wildcats team, who brought the IP on which the show is inspired; Sienna Films with whom we have a longstanding and successful relationship; and Frank Spotnitz whose talent and vast experience will ensure delivery of a top notch show.”

“The world of crisis negotiation is incredibly compelling, as demonstrated by the fascinating real-life cases Laurent Combalbert has negotiated,” said Spotnitz, Big Light. “Laurent has inspired a brilliant and complex character, and you can’t help but be moved seeing all the lives he’s saved around the world.”

For French broadcaster TF1, the series marks another attempt to fill the gap left by the declining number of procedurals coming out of the US. It has already teamed with NBCUniversal and Germany’s RTL to create US procedurals, with details of the first project expected soon.