Virgin Media has secured the UK rights to TNT’s short-lived ten episode young William Shakespeare drama series Will after striking a deal with international distributor Turner International. The series will be made available to Virgin TV Full House customers via Virgin TV On-Demand later this month.
Will tells the story of a young William Shakespeare’s arrival onto the punk rock theater scene that was 16th century London – the seductive, violent world where his raw talent faced rioting audiences, religious fanatics and raucous side-shows. It’s the hot, contemporary, dangerous version of Shakespeare’s life, played to a modern soundtrack, exposing all his recklessness, lustful temptations and brilliance.
The drama series, which was cancelled after a single season, hails from Craig Pearce and stars Laurie Davidson, Olivia DeJonge (Hiding), Colm Meaney (Hell on Wheels), Mattias Inwood (The Shanara Chronicles), Jamie Campbell Bower (The Twilight Saga) and Ewen Bremner (Snowpiercer). TNT Originals is producing, with Pearce, Shekhar Kapur, Alison Owen, Debra Hayward, Vince Gerardis, Howard Braunstein and Louise Rosager serving as executive producers.
Will marks the second TNT original series to find a UK home on Virgin Media, who have been increasing their footprint in U.S. scripted acquisitions in the past couple of years. Virgin previously struck a deal with Turner International for TNT’s Michelle Dockery fronted Good Behavior, which is currently airing its second season. The platform is also the exclusive UK home to such shows as Starz’s Ash Vs. Evil Dead and Bravo’s Imposters.
“We’re very pleased to have as our ninth Exclusive “Will”, a fun and irreverent portrayal of Will Shakespeare as a young man”, said David Bouchier, Chief Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media. “With Craig Pearce (Moulin Rouge, Strictly Ballroom, Romeo & Juliette) leading a fantastic creative team, our customers can enjoy a wild historical drama with plenty of flair that will hook them from the start and make for great viewing after Christmas.”
Check out TNT’s trailer for Will below: