News round-up: HBO to end ‘Barry’; C4 orders ‘Rise & Fall’ format; Showtime investigates ‘Lightning’ robbery

Barry

HBO to end ‘Barry’

HBO is bringing its dark comedy series Barry to an end with the upcoming fourth season.

The show, which will return for its final run on 16 April, has followed the story of hitman and wannabe actor Barry Berkman (Bill Hader) since its debut in 2018.

In the final season, Cousineau (Henry Winkler) is hailed as a hero as Barry’s arrest has shocking consequences.

Hader also co-created the show and serves as writer, director and executive producer. He commented: “It’s been an amazing journey making this show, and it’s bittersweet that the story has come to its natural conclusion.”

C4 orders ‘Rise & Fall’ format

Channel 4 has ordered Rise And Fall, a new reality format from The Traitors creators Studio Lambert and Motion Picture Group.

Hosted by Greg James, the 18 x 60-minute series follows 16 ordinary British people, from all walks of life and ages, who will begin the game as equals but soon find themselves either in a position of power as a Ruler or as part of the powerless as a Grafter.

While the Rulers live in an opulent penthouse, the Grafters must survive in basic conditions in the basement. And much like life, those in power will be responsible for making decisions that affect those who have none.

James will oversee the action as the Grafters work hard to complete a series of gruelling games and challenges to build a cash prize fund only the Rulers can win. The Rulers must encourage the Grafters to work harder, but if they push them too hard, they might find themselves toppled from power.

Showtime investigates ‘Lightning’ robbery

Showtime has ordered a new docuseries, Catching Lightning, about the life and career of MMA fighter ‘Lightning’ Lee Murray and his role in one of the largest cash heists in history.

The four-part series from Showtime Sports Documentary Films is directed by Pat Kondelis and produced by his Bat Bridge Entertainment label. It tells the story of the Securitas Depot robbery in the UK in 2006, in which nearly £53m in cash ($92m at the time) was stolen, with new interviews, striking revelations and never-before-heard aspects of the heist.

The series makes its streaming premiere on 7 April before its on-air debut on 9 April.

Envision & Scene23 partner on crime-comedy

UK-based Envision Entertainment & South Africa’s Scene23 have partnered to develop Tighthead, an action-comedy crime series.

The Cape Town-set project follows a former Springbok rugby star turned fixer and a junior policeman with terrible social skills.

The two must team up to clear their names when they become suspects in a crime t hey did not commit.

South African author and screenwriter Fred Strydom is writing the show, which is based on a format created by Envision founder Michael Nakan.

Calinos to shop ‘Farah’

Turkey’s Calinos Entertainment has picked up distribution rights to Farah, the local version of Argentinean scripted serie La Chica Que Limpia, from O3 Medya.

Starring Demet Ozdemir and Engin Akyurek, Farah is the story of an Iranian woman, who had to run away from her country and is struggling to live in Istanbul, working as a cleaning lady to look after her son. However, she soon finds she has little choice but to work with the Mafia.

Written by Deniz Dargi, M. Cem Gorgec and S. Cenk Bogatur; Farah is the Turkish remake adapted from the original Argentinean drama, which was also remade as The Cleaning Lady on Fox in the US.