Channel 5 Orders ‘In Solitary’ Celebrity Series
Following on from the success of In Solitary, Channel 5 has given the green-light to a celebrity edition of the series which followed four members of the public as they attempted to live in solitary confinement. Celebs In Solitary will largely retain the same format, with the members of the public being replaced by four famous faces. They will sacrifice their phones and contact with the outside world and only be allowed three ‘luxury’ items to help them pass the time and psychological tests of isolation. 
In an interesting move, DRG has commissioned Manson's Bloodline, a four-episode Charles Manson series from US production company MY Entertainment. Manson's Bloodline tells the story of Charles Manson’s grandson, Jason Freeman, and his coming to terms with his notorious grandfather. MY Entertainment obtained extraordinary access and the series features previously unheard telephone calls that Manson had with Jason from prison; Jason’s battle for his grandfather’s body following his death in November 2017; and exclusive footage of Manson’s funeral from earlier this year. 
Ransom - the international drama series from Frank Spotnitz's Big Light Productions - has been renewed for a third season by commissioning partners Global and CBS. The series is distributed internationally by Entertainment One (eOne) and airs on this side of the pond on Universal TV. 
ITV Studios' label Shiver has hired Channel 4 Commissioning Editor Simone Haywood to serve as their Head of Factual Entertainment. In the newly created role, Haywood will work with Group Creative Director Ana De Moraes and her new development team to create returnable formats that have the potential to inspire viewers across the globe. 
5Star is stocking up on crime. The Channel 5 owned and operated digi-net has ordered four one-off factual crime specials - Killed On Camera, Murdered By My Stalker, Stabbed In The Back and Murdered By My Girlfriend - from independent production company Spun Gold. All four specials were commissioned by 5Star Channel Manager Sebastian Cardwell. They are produced by Jared Wright, edited by Stephanie Harvie Campbell and executive produced by Bridget Boseley. 
Sky Vision - the production and distribution division of the satcaster - has picked acquired international distribution rights to the second season of A User's Guide To Cheating Death. The series is produced by indie Peacock Alley. 
Tamara Lawrance (King Charles III, Undercover) and Hayley Atwell (Howards End, Agent Carter) have been set as the leads in The Long Song, BBC One's three-part adaptation of Andrea Levy's novel of the same name.