ZDFE pockets Televisa USA true crime series

ZDF Enterprises has taken rights to new Televisa USA true crime series Deep Undercover, which features the real Donnie Brasco.

The commercial arm of European pubcaster ZDF will be able to sell rights to the show in Germany, Austria and Switzerland following the agreement.

Televisa USA is coproducing Deep Undercover with US indie Bellum Entertainment, and began preselling it at MIPTV in April ahead of an autumn broadcast debut in the States.

Depe Undercover follows host and former undercover agent Joe Pistone (who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family as a jewel thief, ‘Donny Brasco’) as he reveals details of operations involving real agents, using his own network of contacts and sources.

“Deep Undercover fulfils all requirements of our German target audiences, and comes along at the ideal time to replenish our sizable portfolio of documentaries and factual series,” says Ralf Rückauer, VP of ZDFE.factual.

The true crime genre remains one of the most popular in unscripted following the success of series such as Making a Murderer and The Jinx, and podcast Serial.

Televisa USA is the American arm of Mexican broadcaster and content giant Televisa.