Universal Networks Int’l acquires E1’s Copper

Universal Networks International has acquired international rights to E1 Entertainment’s police drama Copper. The worldwide channels arm of NBC Universal has picked up exclusive global pay TV rights, excluding US, Canada, France and Germany, to the series, which will air later this year on US network ABC and Canada’s Global Television.

The 13x1hour drama, which stars Reaper’s Missy Peregrym, follows five rookie cops fresh out of police academy that work together, drink together and sleep together. It was created by Morwyn Berbner and Ellen Vanstone who worked with Ilana Frank, who runs Thump Inc, a Canadian production company that has an overall deal at E1. Frank will exec produce the series along with Flashpoint screenwriter Tassie Cameron and E1 Entertainment’s Noreen Halpern and John Morayniss.

Halpern says: “It’s a very different take on a cop show, about rookie cops. We wanted a show that was young, fresh and real with a sense of romance. These characters are kids; what happens when someone gets shot or held hostage? When you’ve been in these situations, it comes out in your personal life.”

This deal follows Universal Networks’ International’s deal with E1 Entertainment to cofinance Stephen King’s Haven, which is set to air later this year.