Scripted round-up: PBS brings hit UK Post Office drama to US; ARTE boards ‘Douglas Is Cancelled’; Peacock to adapt ‘Long Bright River’

Mr Bates Vs The Post Office (Source: ITV)

PBS brings hit UK Post Office drama to US

PBS Masterpiece in the US has acquired impactful UK drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office.

The four-part series, which was broadcast on ITV this month, details one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British legal history in which hundreds of postal workers were wrongly convicted of theft and fraud.

Within eight days of the drama premiering in the UK, the Prime Minister announced a new law to pardon the victims who had been wrongly convicted.

It will debut on PBS Masterpiece on 7 April 2024.

Susanne Simpson, Masterpiece executive producer said: “Mr Bates Vs The Post Office is a testament to the people who persisted in their search for truth and justice.

The producers of this powerful drama have reignited the public interest in the Subpostmasters’ 20-year quest for justice. I’m incredibly proud that Masterpiece will bring this story to the American audience.”

Douglas Is Cancelled (Source: BBC Studios)

ARTE boards ‘Douglas Is Cancelled’

ARTE in France and Germany has struck pre-sale deals with BBC Studios for the comedy drama series Douglas Is Cancelled.

Produced by Hartswood Films and written by Steven Moffatt, the 4 x 45-minute series stars Hugh Bonneville and Karen Gillan.

It follows Douglas, a news reporter who is regarded as national treasure until he makes an ill-advised joke at his cousin’s wedding, which is overheard by a fellow guest, who threatens to expose his comments on social media.
Speculation is rife and during the on-going hysteria and digital storm, Douglas’s alleged indiscretion is dissected, analysed and blown out of all proportion. Everyone appears to have an opinion and Douglas is struggling to escape the controversy.

Peacock to adapt ‘Long Bright River’

US streamer Peacock has ordered Long Bright River, a limited thriller series starring and executive produced by Amanda Seyfried.

The series hails from Sony Pictures Television and UCP and is based on Liz Moore’s New York Times bestselling novel of the same name.

It tells the story of Mickey (Seyfried), a police officer who patrols a Philadelphia neighborhood hard-hit by the opioid crisis. When a series of murders begins in the neighborhood, Mickey realizes that her personal history might be related to the case.

Nikki Toscano and Moore will write and executive produce, with Toscano serving as showrunner. Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty and Amanda Lewis will executive produce for Original Film and Amy Pascal will executive produce for Pascal Pictures. Hagar Ben-Asher will direct and executive produce the first episode.