FremantleMedia making English version of French zombie series

FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) is making an English-language version of French zombie series Les Revenants (They Came Back).

The English version will be made by AbbottVision, State of Play and Shameless creator Paul Abbott’s production company, with which FME has a first-look deal.

They Came Back was originally developed as a movie before being adapted for TV by French producer Haut et Court for Canal+. It launched on the French premium channel last autumn and averaged 1.4 million viewers across its eight-episode run.

The show follows a group of men and women in a small Alpine village in the shadow of a vast dam who are trying to return to their homes. What they do not yet know is that they have been dead for several years.

FME will distribute the new series internationally. No broadcast partners have been announced.

Martin Carr, executive producer at AbbottVision, said: “There has been fierce international interest in the format and we are very fortunate to have been able to forge a relationship with Haut et Court through FME to take the series and remake it. It is a perfect fit for the AbbottVision brand.”

David Ellender, CEO FME said, “They Came Back has all the hallmarks of a successful international drama – a compelling concept, proven track record, some of the world’s most talented producers and a committed distributor.”

Zombie series The Walking Dead has proved there is a huge audience for zombie shows on the small screen. It has been an international hit for Fox and other broadcasters and is hugely popular on AMC in the US.