Left Bank Pictures – the indie behind Outlander, Strike Back and Netflix’s upcoming Queen Elizabeth II drama The Crown – is set to produce an English language drama series for the Chinese market after signing a co-development deal with China International Television Corporation (CITVC).
Under the pact, both Left Bank and CITVC will bring ideas to the table over the next few months. The best pitch will then be selected to enter production by the end of next year and the finished series will air first in China. Sony Pictures Television, who hold a majority stake in Left Bank Pictures, will handle global distribution for the “high-end English language drama” that is produced out of this arrangement.
“Left Bank is a world-class television production company and we are glad to have this opportunity to cooperate with them”, said Xue Jijun, Chairman & President of CITVC. “China’s culture is extensive and profound, and has gained more and more love and attention around the world. We hope we can discover and create more and better film and television content, and distribute them to audiences around the world through collaborating with outstanding companies such as Left Bank and Sony Pictures Television.”
While Andy Harries, Chief Executive of Left Bank Pictures, added: “China is in many ways the last frontier of television and we have been looking for opportunities in this vast market for some time. It is the ultimate challenge to get into a successful partnership that makes programmes which reflect both our and the Chinese culture, and we believe CITVC is the ideal partner to attempt just that.”
