Ebury To Publish Novel Series Based On ITV’s ‘Doc Martin’
Ebury has inked what is being described as “a major new TV tie-in” deal with Buffalo Pictures, which will see the publishing house release a series of Doc Martin novels written by Sam North.
BBC One’s ‘Atlantis’, E4’s ‘Misfits’ & ITV’s ‘Whitechapel’ Book Guest Stars
EXCLUSIVE: BBC One’s upcoming drama series Atlantis has booked two more guest stars for its 13 episode first season. Both Ciaran Griffiths (Shameless) and Shelley King (EastEnders) have booked guest roles on the series. My sources tell me that Griffths will be playing a Greek archaeologist and that King will be playing one of the “seven sisters”. Other guest stars on the show’s first season include Alice St. Clair and Ken Bones. Created by Howard Overman (Misfits), Atlantis is set in the city of Atlantis: a mysterious ancient place; a world of bull leaping, of snake haired goddesses and of palaces so vast it was said they were built by giants. It’s into this strange, compelling realm that the young Jason arrives and an amazing adventure begins, bringing to life the vast store of Greek myths and legends. The series is being produced by Little Monster Films & BBC Cymru Wales and stars Mark Addy (Game of Thrones), Juliet Stevenson (White Heat), Sarah Parish (Mistresses), Jemima Rooper (Lost In Austen), Aiysha Hart (Honour), Jack Donnelly (Dancing On The Edge), Robert Emms (War Horse) and Oliver Walker (Trapped). Justin Molotnikov (Merlin) is attached to direct.
Starz Developing Vietnam War Drama ‘Airborne’ From ‘The Newsroom’ Writer
Starz has put a new hour-long drama series about the Vietnam war into development. The project, titled Airborne, hails from Gideon Yago (a former staff writer on HBO’s The Newsroom) and Spartacus executive producer Rob Tapert. The project comes after Starz just yesterday green-lit production on a new series titled Fortitude, which is a co-production with British broadcaster Sky Atlantic.
A&E Picks Up ‘Those Who Kill’ To Series
A&E has picked up its hour-long drama pilot Those Who Kill to series with a 10 episode order, the network has announced. The official announcement comes after word leaked out last week that the project would be landing the series order and just 24 hours after A&E renewed freshman drama series Bates Motel for a second season.
Michael Imperioli Joins Showtime’s ‘Californication’
The Sopranos alum Michael Imperioli has joined the cast of Showtime’s comedy series Californication in a recurring role for its upcoming seventh season. Imperioli has been cast as Rick Rath, a successful old-school television producer who will play a key role in Hank’s (David Duchovny) latest venture. Production on the show’s 12 episode seventh season is set to commence later this month, with Showtime eyeing a premiere in early 2014.
Joe Armstrong Exits BBC One’s ‘The Whale’, Jolyon Coy To Assume Role
EXCLUSIVE: It appears as though there has been a slight cast change on the upcoming BBC One/Discovery factual drama The Whale. It’s hard to get a clear read on the exact timeline, but a production source tells me that around the time of the first table read for the 90 minute film, a mutual decision was reached that cast member Joe Armstrong (The Village) would not be continuing in the role of Benjamin Lawrence. Instead, that role has now been recast and will be played by Jolyon Coy (The Hollow Crown).
Channel 5 Acquires UK Rights To Irish Gang Drama Series ‘Love/Hate’
Channel 5 has closed a deal with ITV Studios Global Entertainment to acquire seasons 1 and 2 of RTE’s drama series Love/Hate. The acquisition follows yesterday’s deal with One Three Media for History’s mini-series The Bible. Channel 5 plans to air both seasons of the show in an unbroken run of ten episodes later this year.
BBC Two Orders Drama Serial From ‘Accused’ Scribe Jimmy McGovern
In addition to announcing that BBC One has commissioned a new 5 episode World War I drama series titled The Great War, the BBC’s Controller of Drama Ben Stephenson today announced that BBC Two has green-lit production on a continuing eight-part drama serial from Accused scribe Jimmy McGovern, who is also working on a 90 minute TV movie for BBC One titled Common.