Starz acquires All3Media’s The White Queen

US premium cable network Starz has acquired All3Media International’s period drama The White Queen.

The series, which is an adaptation of Philippa Gregory’s best selling novels series The Cousins War, is produced by Company Pictures for British public broadcaster BBC One.

Starz has come on board the ten episode series and has acquired all US domestic and worldwide multiplatform distribution rights to the series except television rights in the UK and some TV rights across Netherlands and Benelux.

The White Queen, which has been adapted by Shameless writer Emma Frost, tells the story of the women caught up in the conflict for the throne in 1464.

Former HBO Films president Colin Callender will also executive produce the series and, separately, has struck a wider deal with Starz to also join the second season of Magic City through his Playground Entertainment production company.

The deal was brokered by All3Media International managing director Louise Pedersen.

“Phillipa Gregory’s novels have become runaway best sellers with passionate fans the world over, making this a project ripe for reimagining,” said Carmi Zlotnik, managing director of original programming, for Starz. “The period of England’s Wars of the Roses makes for a sensational historical backdrop as a time fraught with violence, mystery and intrigue. We are excited to be working with an incredibly talented team, both in front and behind the camera, that is taking on such an ambitious project and bringing this riveting story to life.”

Starz CEO Chris Albrecht added: “Carmi and I have worked with Colin for many years, and we are excited to have such a world-class movie and television visionary lending his talents to our Starz series.”