C5 orders Freddie Mercury, Karen Carpenter shows

UK broadcaster Channel 5 has ordered docudrama specials about Freddie Mercury and Karen Carpenter.

Both stars suffered untimely deaths and the films, from ITV prodco Potato, will look at the true stories behind the loss of the Queen and The Carpenters singers.

Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender Revealed and Karen Carpenter: Goodbye To Love will both run to 1x120mins.

Potato has already made Whitney Houston docudrama Whitney & Bobby: Addicted To Love for Channel 5.

Who will sell the films internationally is not clear but it is known that neither ITV Studios nor the sales arm of Channel 5 owner Viacom will handle distribution.

Michael Kelpie, executive producer & managing director, Potato said: “These films tell their stories in a compelling, truthful and respectful way and remind us all of how much we miss them both.”

Guy Davies, commissioning editor, factual, Channel 5 added: “These sensitively told stories will focus on two icons of our time who left their mark on millions of people across the globe.”