UK and US-based producer Playground has gained film and TV rights for Imogen Hermes Gowar’s best-selling novel The Mermaid & Mrs Hancock. The book, which was published earlier this year to rave reviews, is set in 1785 London and tells the story of Jonah Hancock, a prosperous merchant and widower, whose Captain returns having exchanged […]
Long-serving BBC exec Dan Leon has joined London-based producer Playground as head of business affairs and director of operations. The exec spent eleven years with the UK pubcaster, working its rights and business affairs division alongside the drama commissioning and central commercial units, but will now manage Playground’s strategic growth and day-to-day operations. At the […]
Distributors will tell you that if they could have one drama production in their portfolio it would be an evergreen returning franchise that rakes in the cash year after year. But this doesn’t alter the fact that TV movies, minis and limited runs are also regarded as valuable assets and are increasingly getting recommissioned as […]
Starz has come on board the BBC adaptation of Howard’s End and the pair will coproduce the TV adaptation of the E.M. Forster novel. Starz will also sell the series internationally. The US premium cable net and the UK pubcaster have a history of working together, having teamed for Da Vinci’s Demons, Torchwood and The […]
UK pubcaster the BBC has turned to a number of high-profile writers for 35 hours of new drama programming. The Honourable Woman’s Hugo Blick, Doctor Foster creator Mike Bartlett and The Street’s Jimmy McGovern are attached to new projects, alongside the likes of Academy Award nominee Kenneth Lonegran, Playground Entertainment’s Colin Callender, Left Bank Pictures […]
