Zodiak Rights, the international distribution arm of Banijay Group, confirmed today that it has signed a slew of new European deals for its hit French language drama Public Enemy.
Produced by Belgian’s Entre Chien et Loup and Playtime Films for RTBF Belgium, the 10 x 60’ drama Public Enemy has been acquired by Sky for their premium channel Sky Atlantic in both the UK and Germany; free to air broadcaster TF1 in France; Movistar Series Xtra and Movistar VOD, Spain; Ale Kino Channel (Canal + Group), Poland and will air on top Scandinavian broadcaster C More’s linear and premium SVOD services in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark.
Winner of the hotly contested inaugural MIPDrama Screenings Buyers’ ‘Coup de Coeur’ Award and a primetime ratings hit for RTBF Belgium, securing an audience share of more than 25%, Public Enemy centres on the story of Guy Béranger, a dangerous child murderer at the end of his prison sentence. His release on parole to the custody of the monks at Vielsart Abbey leads to an outcry from the nearby small village and to the rest of the country. But when a young girl disappears on the outskirts of the Abbey, the entire village is in uproar.
Producer François Touwaide, Entre Chien et Loup said, “Public Enemy is the result of a great initiative launched jointly by Wallonia Brussels Federation and RTBF in 2013 to develop Belgian talent across TV series. After a significant success in Belgium we are very happy with the international response to the show and the great job done by the Zodiak Rights team. Zodiak Rights believed in the show from the very beginning and has been a great support all the way.”
Caroline Torrance, Head of Scripted at Zodiak Rights, commented, “We’re delighted to sign this first roster of deals for Public Enemy in Europe. This gripping drama received wide critical acclaim on its debut in Belgium, comfortably winning its primetime slot, and that success, alongside the recognition at MIPTV, has provided a great launch pad for our international sales. The demand for innovative, globally-relevant drama that works across platforms continues to be very strong and we expect these deals to be the first of many for this compelling series.”
Zodiak Rights holds worldwide distribution rights to Public Enemy excluding Belgium.
Public Enemy is a coproduction between Entre Chien et Loup, Playtime Films, RTBF (Télévision Belge) and Proximus; produced with the support of Fonds Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles – RTBF (Télévision Belge) for Belgian series with the participation of Wallonie et de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale; produced with the support of Tax Shelter du Gouvernement Fédéral Belge, Casa Kafka Pictures, Casa Kafka Pictures Movie Tax Shelter, empowered by Belfius.