Sunrise Pictures and eOne cut TV development deal

Movie producer Sunrise Pictures is moving more heavily into TV and has agreed a development deal with Entertainment One.

Sunrise is ostensibly known as a film business and counts Rachel Wesiz movie The Whistleblower and upcoming Kate Beckinsale feature There’s Always Woodstock among its credits. It has already made some TV moves and is preparing to shoot an unscripted show aimed at the Latin market about singer/songwriter and actress, Maria Conchita Alonso. No broadcaster has been announced.

Its deal with eOne is focused on scripted space and will specifically target getting new one-hour dramas away on US cable networks. The companies will codevelop and cofinance scripts and eOne will distribute any resulting shows internationally.

“We are very excited to be working with eOne as our company moves forward into the television platform space. We couldn’t think of a better partnership and collaboration to help us enter into this new frontier,” said Peter Schafer, CEO of Sunrise Pictures.

John Morayniss, CEO Entertainment One Television said: “This new venture supports eOne’s commitment to dramatic programming, like The Walking Dead and Haven (pictured), and we’re looking forward to expanding our portfolio with more compelling content for US and global audiences.”

Joe Dain, head of production for Sunrise Pictures, negotiated the deal and will act as executive producer of new TV projects alongside Schafer and Sunrise head of development, Jim Klock. Television projects will be produced under the company’s new banner, Sunrise TV.