“Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light,” formats “Upside Down” and “Shaolin Heroes” and premium doc feature “Front Row,” offering a novel take on the Ukraine War, are potential highlights on Banijay’s powerhouse lineup at what promises to be one of the biggest presentations at next week’s London TV Screenings.
Mixing third-party pick-ups and Banijay productions, further scripted titles take in second seasons of two Banijay hits, the sumptuous and revisionist “Marie Antoinette,” and “Rogue Heroes,” a big WWII special ops adventure story which hit high ratings on BBC.
Unspooling over Wednesday Feb. 28 at BAFTA in three sessions, dedicated to factual, scripted and then formats, the Banijay@BAFTA lineup, as last year, the spread will give audiences a chance to catch up with high-concept adventure reality “The Summit” and “Deal or No Deal Island,” described as an “epic” recast of the format.
Banijay’s lineup features some big names on the current U.K. production scene, led by “Wolf Hall” writer Peter Straughan and director Peter Kosminsky, and “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight, behind “Rogue Heroes” and “The Town” in partnership with Banijay’s Kudos. They are a reminder of the continuing power of U.K. production.
Banijay also promises to shine a light on what it calls its global superbrands and returning formats such as “Survivor,” “Big Brother,” “Star Academy,” and reality formats “Love Triangle” and “The Fifty.”
“This year’s line-up for Banijay @ BAFTA truly illuminates the breadth of our catalogue and ability to showcase outstanding content across multiple genres,” said Cathy Payne, Banijay Rights CEO.
She added: “From high-end dramas to acclaimed factual series, we look forward to coming together later this month to celebrate great talent, captivating storytelling and stand-out IP. We really do have something for everyone.”
“The London TV Screenings provides an incredible opportunity for Banijay to demonstrate its commitment to delivering exciting emerging IP as well as tried and tested formats and reboots, which continue to compel audiences globally,” commented James Townley and Lucas Green, respectively Banijay chief content officers for development and operations.
From“Shaolin Heroes” to“The Summit,” and iconic format “Deal or No Deal,” we are sure to enthral buyers seeking fresh, innovative, and proven formats,” they added.
The lineup in brief:
scripted
“Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light”
The follow-up to “Wolf Hall,” “event television, sumptuous, intelligent and serious, meticulous in the detail, but not humourless or po-faced,” as The Guardian had it. All key cast, led by Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis and creators – writer Peter Straughan, director Peter Kosminsky, returning. Having engineered Anne Boleyn’s execution, Thomas Cromwell, architect of England’s Reformation, bets on her successor, Jane Seymour in an age which Cromwell had helped usher in, where anybody can go to the block, even Cromwell. Made byPlayground and Company Picture for BBC and Masterpiece PBS, one of the most anticipated shows at the London TV Screenings.
“Rogue Heroes,” Season 2
Made forfor the BBC and MGM+, a sophomore instalment for the BBC hit kicking off with the origins of the Special Air Service (SAS) written by “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight. Season 2 will“take the SAS into mainland Europe and will take our heroes to the limits of their endurance,” he has said. Connor Swindells and Jack O’Connell reprise their roles as David Stirling and Paddy Mayne.
“This Town”
Fruit of a creative partnership deal between Kudos, a Banijay UK company and “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight to support Birmingham’s film-TV industry. Starring Michelle Dockery, Nicholas Pinnock and David Dawson, the story of a family and four young people drawn into Coventry and Birmingham’s exploding ska and two-tone music scene in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Billed by Banijay as both “a high-octane thriller and a family saga.” From Kudos and Nebulastar, and co-produced with Mercury Studios, in association with Kudos North, Stigma Films, and Nick Angel for the BBC.
“Marie Antoinette,” Season 2
Backed by the same production combo behind “Versailles” – French pay TV group Canal+, Banijay Studios France, Newen Studios’ Capa Drama –a return for a hit whose first part, a feminist and revisionist take on the Queen from Oscar-winning screenwriter Deborah Davis (“The Favorite”) ,was sold to over 70 territories. It was also chosen byPvNewas one of its Best International TV Shows of 2022.
“The Hardacres”
Produced by Playground (“All Creatures Great and Small”), a six-part – and returnable – Channel 5 period family saga based on C.L. Skelton’s best-selling novel series “The Hardacre Saga.” Sam Hardacre, a fish gutter, builds a business fortune, transfers his family from a Northern English dock to a Yorkshire country estate. Amy Roberts and Loren McLaughlan(“The Winter King,” “Call the Midwife”)who serve as lead writers and executive producers.Made in association with Screen Ireland, Red Berry Productions and Newgrange Picture.
“Invisible Boys”
The Stan Original Series is produced by Feisty Dame Productions, Screenwest, Screen Australia and Banijay, adapting a Holden Sheppard novel about a group of gay teens who find solace in their tight-knit friendship on the remote coastal town of Geraldton. Nicholas Verso (“Boys In The Trees”) directs. Sheppard, Enoch Mailangi (“All My Friends Are Racist”) and Allan Clarke (“The Dark Emu Story”) head up the writing.
“The One That Got Away,”(“Cleddau”)
A slice of Welsh noir and second-chance love for public broadcaster S4C, set on the west Wales coast, as two former lovers are tasked with finding the murderer of a nurse in Pembroke Dock, a small-town community. FromBlackLight Television, a Banijay UK company), in collaboration with Banijay and Creative Wales.
Factual
“Front Row”
From Sarah Jessica Parker’s Pretty Matches Productions and Scenery,a joint venture with Banijay Benelux, a feature length premium documentary, which highlights the resilience of Ukrainian ballet dancers during wartime, where an unlikely friendship forms between a dancer and a front-line soldier. Directed by Miriam Guttmann, whose “Seeds of Deceit,” was selectedfor Sundance in 2021.
“Four Kings”
Going back to 1991 and the biggest week in the history of British boxing, the show – produced by Workerbee TV for Amazon Prime Video and executive produced by “Whitney” director Kevin Macdonald – revisits rivalries of Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn, Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno, combining archive footage with brand new, revealing interviews that promise to go beyond the spotlight.
“Anatomy of a Murder”
Also from Workerbee, this harrowing feature-length true-crime story revolves around the dramatic story of a daughter of an Iranian family who has tirelessly spent over 30 long years – not to mention a fortune – trying to find her mother’s killer.
Formats
“The Summit”
An 9Network and Endemol Shine Australia “adrenaline-fueled” original series, produced by Endemol Shine Australia, already has a second season in the works and a first international adaptation for CBS by Endemol Shine North America. In the show, a group of strangers carrying an equal share of 1 million Australian dollars must reach the peak of a distant mountain in just 14 days. It’s a “tale of endurance, survival and greed.”
“Shaolin Heroes”
New premium adventure series – from Denmark’s Metronome – puts celebrities to the ultimate test. They have to embark on a transformational journey under the guidance of two Shaolin Masters. If they complete the course, they might be able to lead a happier and more harmonious existence. But it won’t be easy, because they have to “find the mind and body of a warrior within themselves.”
“Upside Down”
EndemolShine Nederland brings this “feel-good” family entertainment game show, in which the studio is literally turned upside down. Each episode sees two celebrity teams undertake challenges, physical stunts and quizzes. Unlike anything else, because everything is – you guessed it – upside down. Guaranteeing, “a hilarious adrenaline-fueled experience for both contestants and viewers alike,” teases the team.
“Deal or No Deal Island”
Get ready for a complete reimagining of the iconic game show – now, presented as an epic adventure. This new spin-off series for NBC – from Endemol Shine North America – is set on the banker’s private island as he searches for his ultimate opponent in a high-stakes competition. After all, there is over $200,000,000 up for grabs.
“Banged Up”
Created by Shine TV for Channel 4 – and described as “social experiment that veers into the documentary space” – this series explores a rather weighty question: ‘Does prison work?’In order to find out, six male celebrity inmates are incarcerated in a U.K. prison environment alongside their reformed criminal cellmates.
“The Fortune Hotel”
In this reality series from Tuesday’s Child for ITV1 and ITVX, it’s time to check in. Luxury Caribbean resort “filled with glamour, opulence and deception” is already waiting. But the paired-up contestants won’t have time to relax, competing for a briefcase. One holds the ultimate cash prize. Another? An early checkout card.
