NHK buys BBC One Agatha Christie drama

Japanese pubcaster NHK is one of a batch of networks to acquire BBC One period drama Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime from distributor All3Media International.

NHK will launch the 6x60mins on its main terrestrial channel and follows agreements with the ABC in Australia, Sky in New Zealand, BBC Worldwide Channels for pan-Africa, TV2 in Norway, TV4 in Sweden, DR in Denmark, RUV in Iceland, HRT in Croatia, VRT in Flemish-speaking Belgium and Ale Kino in Poland.

The Agatha Christie whodunit, which stars David Walliams (Little Britain, Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple) and Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife, Fortitude), scored 6.4 million – a 29% share – when it launched on the BBC’s flagship channel this summer.

Hilary Bevan Jones’s Endor Productions and Agatha Christie Productions coproduced the show, with All3Media’s sales arm attached for international distribution.

“We are delighted to announce such a strong cast of major broadcasters for this prestigious new crime drama,” said Stephen Driscoll, senior VP, sales, All3Media International. “As one of the first international broadcasters to air the series after the BBC premiere, NHK will give fans of Agatha Christie in Japan a wonderful new series to delight and enthral. “Japan is Christie heartland in terms of a fan-base for the author and this show will introduce a further generation to her work.”