Stan, Amazon & others buy C4 & HBO Max AIDS drama ‘It’s A Sin’

Broadcasters and platforms in Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America and Australasia have signed pre-sale agreements for Studiocanal-owned RED Production Company’s drama It’s A Sin, following deals with distributor All3Media International.

The five-part drama is written and executive produced by Russell T Davies (Queer As Folk, Doctor Who) and executive produced by Nicola Shindler (Happy Valley).

It is due to make its premiere with commissioner Channel 4 in the UK and show exclusively in the US via co-producer HBO Max, which boarded the show last year when it was known as Boys.

Set during the 1980s, the series explores friendship and love during the AIDS crisis and stars Olly Alexander, Keely Hawes, Neil Patrick Harris and Stephen Fry.

It’s A Sin has been picked up by HBO Europe, covering Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe, Portugal and Spain and HBO Latin America, taking the title to territories including Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela. Amazon Prime Video has also acquired the series for Canada.

In Australia, the series is heading to streaming service Stan, while in New Zealand it has been acquired by TVNZ. In Asia, Korean streaming service WATCHA has taken rights in the territory.

Meanwhile, French platform Canal+ has taken right in France, whilst NPO has pre-bought for the Netherlands with RTBF taking the show for French Speaking Belgium. Amedia will broadcast the series in Russia and CIS.

“It’s A Sin is a very British story but the AIDS epidemic was global, and I think audiences will resonate with the poignant story of love, friendship and the highs and lows during this period of time,” commented Shindler.