Factual round-up: BBC orders space doc; Nat Geo boosts slate; TVF Int’l strikes Iberia deals

James Bluemel (Source: BBC)

BBC orders space doc

BBC Factual has commissioned Once Upon A Time In Space, a new docuseries from Keo Films for BBC Two and iPlayer.

Directed by James Bluemel, who was behind Once Upon A Time In Northern Ireland and Once Upon A Time In Iraq, the 4 x 60-minute series will tell the human story of space exploration using unique, unexpected archive, present-day footage and first-hand testimony from around the world.

Clare Sillery, BBC head of commissioning, documentaries, said: “In his Once Upon A Time series of documentaries, film-maker James Bluemel has been clear eyed and fearless in his choices. His distinctive approach has brought a new understanding to the most challenging and complex subjects.”

Limitless With Chris Hemsworth (Source: National Geographic)

Nat Geo boosts slate

National Geographic has commissioned a slew of new and returning unscripted titles.

Among the new orders is true crime docuseries Pathological: Chasing A True-Crime Con Man, from The New Yorker Studios and Left/Right, following the rise and fall of bestselling French author and serial killer expert Stéphane Bourgoin, whose remarkable career was built on a foundation of morbid lies that are finally being unveiled in full.

The factual broadcaster has also given the greenlight to Shark Beach With Anthony Mackie, the next instalment of the Shark Beach franchise, following the actor as he explores the delicate balance between humans, sharks and our ecosystems. The one-hour special is produced in partnership with Nutopia.

Sally, from National Geographic Documentary Films and Story Syndicate, meanwhile, will explore the life and legacy of the groundbreaking astronaut Dr Sally Ride.

And on the format front, Legends (working title) is a new competition series from Meralta Films, Amplify Pictures and 30WEST that follows the high-stakes world of competitive collegiate Bollywood fusion dance.

National Geographic has also recommissioned Limitless With Chris Hemsworth and A Real Bug’s Life, both for second seasons.

Music Voyager (Source: TVF International)

TVF Int’l strikes Iberia deals

TVF International has closed a slew of distribution deals across Iberia.

From its history slate, Castro’s Spies has sold to both RTVE and RTP. RTVE also picked up the docudrama Dun Huang: Ancient Frontier Fortress, along with Neanderthal: In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors.

AMC Networks International Southern Europe, RTVE and MSP have also picked up travel titles including John Torode’s Asia, Music Voyager and No Luggage, whilst Movistar Plus+ took Monster Carp and The Grand Fishing Adventure.

Aerial series such as The World From Above and Aerial Profiles sold to AMC, which also licensed a selection of food titles including In Search of Umami and That’s Wine.

 Space Farmers also sold to Movistar Plus+, as well as The Pill Revolution, while TV Canaria  The New Science of Food, Will a Robot Steal My Job? And The Science of Sleep.

 RTP licensed Why Do We Even Work? and When Titans Clash: A New World Order, as well as Undercover Asia. Nurses Wanted: In Desperate Need Of Nurses During a Pandemic was licensed by TV3.

Meanwhile, RTVE picked up The Truth About Mukbang while both RTVE and SIC picked up The Secret Life of Seals and SIC also licensed Galapagos: Edge of the World and Animal Instincts, among other wildlife titles.