Starz, BBC and Company Pictures team for abduction drama

Production has started on The Missing, a US-European coproduced drama about a man obsessed with finding his abducted son.

The eight-part drama will be a copro between US premium cabler Starz, UK pubcaster the BBC and All3Media-owned prodcos Company Pictures and New Pictures. Two Brothers Pictures and Playground are also attached along with Fortis Film Fund, Czar TV Productions.

The copro has been structured utilising Belgian tax credits and Belgian broadcaster VRT will also take the show. All3Media will distribute the series the internationally and have secondary rights in the US.

The BBC, Starz and All3Media have previously worked together on The White Queen although the UK broadcaster has exited the second series of the period drama.

In The missing James Nesbitt will play the lead, Tony, who spends years searching for his son after he is abducted on a family holiday to France. The series will bow on Starz in the US and BBC One in the UK later this year. Two Brothers Pictures’ Harry and Jack Williams have written the series.

Charlie Pattinson (pictured), who left Company Pictures to set up New Pictures, said: “Harry and Jack Williams have created a wonderfully complex and mature emotional thriller, and I am delighted that New Pictures’ first series highlights their work.”

All3Media International will launch the series at Mipcom. Managing director Louise Pedersen said: “We are thrilled that we can build on our relationship with Starz, with their success and expertise in launching drama to American audiences, in this major coproduction that features strong talent both on and behind the screen.”