News round-up: CMP draws ‘Civil Blood’; ‘Love Catcher’ lands in Japan; Paramount+ Canada preps Boat Rocker comedies

Jonathan Entwhistle (Source: Caryn Mandabach Productions)

Caryn Mandabach draws ‘Civil Blood’

Peaky Blinders producer Caryn Mandabach Productions is making Civil Blood, a historical drama set in the 17th century and following a young woman growing up in a time of war.

Directed by Jonathan Entwistle (The End Of The F****ing World) and written by Cat Clarke (Good Omens) and Michael Hirst (Vikings), the series is currently in the latter stages of the development. Civil Blood is described by the producers as “a mash-up of coming-of-age story with high-stakes action and world-changing ideas”.

Entwistle said: “This script has history, heart, family and war – all wrapped up in a punk attitude. This is a period of history not often explored, and certainly not from this point of view. There’s a sense of the American western in this world. At its heart is an iconic lead with a great pop sensibility – someone who thinks that history only happens to other people, until cataclysmic events bring history rushing in to the present.”

‘Love Catcher’ comes to Japan

CJ ENM reality dating format Love Catcher has been remade in Japan for the Abema Special channel.

Abema has produced the new version, titled Love Catcher Japan, which originated in Korea in 2018 on Mnet.

The format follows ten men and women spending eight days together in Malaysia to find true love. With their true identities hidden, the participants begin their journey of discovering a “Love Catcher,” seeking love, and a “Money Catcher” aiming for money.

In the end, if the final couple is paired up with “Love Catchers,” true love will bloom, while if a “Love Catcher” and a “Money Catcher” are paired up against each other, the “Money Catcher” wins a prize of 5 million yen. If two “Money Catchers” end up together, their journey ends without love or money.

Jeong Min-seok, the producer of the original version, said, “It is thrilling and glad to learn that Love Catcher has been remade in Japan. I sincerely appreciate the Abema team for understanding and acknowledging the show’s overall concept and value.”

Paramount+ Canada developing Boat Rocker comedies

Paramount+ is in development on two new Canadian original comedy titles from Boat Rocker.

Bensen, created and written by Clara Altimas, is a scripted dramedy about a struggling limo driver who tries to maintain fun dad status after the death of his wife and with the help of his dysfunctional family.

Meanwhile, Elected, from Michael McGowan, is about an A-list actor who unexpectedly has an opportunity to become the Prime Minister of Canada.