EXCLUSIVE: It looks like Sinbad is preparing to set sail for the US. I have just learned that Syfy has closed a deal with BBC Worldwide to acquire the US broadcast rights to the Sky1/Impossible Pictures drama series Sinbad. This is one of two series that Syfy has been in talks to acquire, but has yet to officially announce as joining their lineup, with the other being Canadian science-fiction series Continuum. Representatives of Syfy did not immediately respond to our request for comment.
Sinbad follows the adventures of the eponymous character, who is on the run from his home town of Basra and under a curse for a killing that led to the death of his much-loved brother. Sinbad finds himself cast out to sea on The Providence, a ship filled with a range of intriguing characters. After surviving a violent and magical storm, both Sinbad and his fellow shipmates are forced to band together to face their inner demons, hopes, loves and fears. Sinbad must embark on an epic and emotional quest to rid himself of the curse and embrace his destiny. The drama series stars newcomer Elliot Knight, Naveen Andrews (Lost), Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda), Timothy Spall (Secrets and Lies, Harry Potter), Dame Janet Suzman, Elliot Cowan (Marchlands), Marama Corlett (The Devil’s Double), Estella Daniels (Thorne), Junix Inocian (The 51st State) and Dimitri Leonidas (Grange Hill).
Sinbad was commissioned by UK broadcaster Sky1 and has been a strong performer for the channel, with 2.5 million viewers tuning in for the premiere episode on July 8th. BBC Worldwide is handling international distribution for the series, which has been sold to ABC in Australia, Space in Canada, Canal+ in France and broadcasters in Russia, the Czech Republic, the Balkans, Bulgaria, Turkey and Germany.
