MIPCOM to debut Sky/Amazon drama Britannia

Big-ticket Sky and Amazon drama Britannia will have its world premiere at MIPCOM in October.

The screening is set for the opening Monday (October 16) of the confab in Palais des Festivales in Cannes, France. This year’s MIPCOM runs from October 16-19.

Britannia joins 26x11mins kids series Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! in having a premiere screening during the annual conference and market.

Britannia comes from Edge of Tomorrow writer Jez Butterworth and is billed by Jane Millichip, managing director of the series’ distributor, Sky Vision, as “Sky’s most ambitious drama ever”.

The epic nine-part series is set in 43AD when Britannia (Great Britain) was ruled by druids and warrior queens, and follows the rise to power of a king’s daughter as the Roman Empire prepare to invade.

It comes from Amazon Studios, Vertigo Films and All3Media-owned Neal Street Productions.

Kelly Reilly (True Detective), David Morrissey (The Walking Dead) and Zoë Wanamaker (My Family) will star in the show, which will air on pay TV provider Sky in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany and Austria and on subscription VOD service Amazon in the US, marking the first time Amazon has entirely produced a drama outside of the States.

Since that time, Sky has launched major dramas such as Guerrilla and Riviera – the latter of which debuted at MIPTV in April – and Amazon has launched American Gods.

“We look forward to welcoming the creators and talent involved in Britannia on the Croisette,” said Laurine Garaude, director of the TV division at MIPCOM organiser Reed MIDEM.