Tag Archive: Channel 4

  1. The Write Offs Books French-Canadian Deal

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    Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, today announces the fifth adaptation of factual entertainment format The Write Offs, with a new version set for French-Canada.

    French-Canadian broadcaster Télé-Québec will launch a new 4 x 30’ adaptation entitled L’Épreuve des Mots in primetime this month, with Montreal-based Sphere Media Productions on board as local producer.

    Originally created by Shine TV for Channel 4 in the UK, The Write Offs helps a diverse group of adults, who can’t read or write, to master basic literacy skills necessary for everyday situations. Each embarks on an eye-opening journey as they face tasks that encourage them to go truly outside of their comfort zones. The series concludes with a heart-warming and dramatic performance for their loved ones.

    The French-Canadian version will be hosted by Patricia Paquin whose own 13 year-old suffers from learning disorders; and features a cast of five contributors who all have primary school literacy and must complete a 16 week course. Following the Channel 4 version, The Write Offs has since been adapted in Australia, with two seasons on SBS, as well as in Denmark on DR and Germany on ZDF.

    Jane Rimer, SVP, Canada, Banijay Rights, who negotiated the agreement, said: We are thrilled to partner with Télé-Québec and Sphere Media Productions to bring this important – and heart-warming – format to Quebec viewers. The Write Offs shines a light on a very serious global issue and demonstrates how television can be used as a force for good to literally change lives.”

    Nadine Dufour, Vice President of Content, Télé-Québec, said:As a public television broadcaster, Télé-Québec’s mandate is to reflect the reality and challenges of Quebec through its programming. With 10% of the population considered functionally illiterate, we are proud to finally give a voice to those whom we see very little of in our Quebec media landscape.”

    Renaud Chassé, EVP, Unscripted & Documentaries, French content, Sphere Media Productions, added: The adaptation of The Write Offs in Quebec has enabled us to understand that illiteracy is a challenge present in most countries. Since we announced this project, this issue has gained prominence in the media.”

  2. E4 commissions ‘Love Triangle’, exciting, new dating show with unique, shock twists and turns

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    In a brand-new relationship format, E4 is turning everything you know about dating on its head, as it asks six courageous singles to reject all the conventions and pitfalls of modern, app-based dating, in favour of a radical new approach.

    Turning their backs on the overwhelming stream of choice, the singles’ options will be shrunk to just two to choose between. One match embodies each single’s usual wants, type and desires; the other reflects their deeper, more fulfilling romantic needs.

    Love Triangle (10×60’), produced by Workerbee (a Banijay UK company), follows the singles as they spend 48 hours getting to know their two matches via text only.  In its efforts to offer an antidote to the worst aspects of modern dating, this experience demands that the singles make their decision without setting eyes on their suitors; no pictures or selfies allowed.

    After just two days of trying to build a connection, they must make the potentially life-changing choice between their two matches, before they meet them on a blind date.  Just 24 hours later, the picker and their chosen match will take the extraordinary step of moving in together, to explore what their future might look like.  But around the corner are a series of gripping plot-twists that neither the singles, nor their suitors, see coming.

    BOMBSHELL #1: Just as the new couples are settling into their love nests, the rejected love matches will make a shocking, surprise return; the “pickers” must meet their alternative option on a second blind date.

    BOMBSHELL #2: On this blind date, the new love interest will reveal they are also moving in to the shared house to form a love triangle.

    BOMBSHELL #3: After the six singles have spent time dating and getting to know both their matches, all three will move in together to form a LOVE TRIANGLE.

    BOMBSHELL #4: At the end of the experience, each single must make a momentous, gut-wrenching decision as they have to choose which of their two matches to continue dating in pursuit of long-term love.

    Over the course of the experience, as the six singles face this string of explosive twists, they’ll be forced to question themselves, their choices and everything they think they know about love.  Will heads be turned?  Will hearts be broken?  And, when faced with their final dilemma, which of their two matches will they choose?

    Based on an Australian format, originally developed by the producers of Married at First Sight Australia, this U.K. version supersizes its predecessor, adding in new format points and fresh elements for British audiences.

    Channel 4 Commissioning Editor, Factual Entertainment, and Commissioning Editor for Married at First Sight UK, Lee McMurray said: “When it comes to romance, most of us have a type we want, who often disappoints; we fail to spot the match we need, who could make us truly happy.  Love Triangle puts this modern dating dilemma front and centre, with a trademark E4 twist.  I’m confident British audiences will be gripped by this radical rejection of our current looks-based, swipe right dating culture, as they share the joy, love, heartache and off-the-scale drama of the six brave singles taking part in this unique, distinctive quest for love.”

    Ben Mitchell, Workerbee Creative Director, said: “In the superficial world of modern dating, it’s all too easy to swipe away matches who could have been the love of our lives, if only we’d given them a chance.  In this explosive new format, we’re asking six singles to try a very different approach to finding ‘the one’.  The results are surprising, emotional and dramatic. In Love Triangle, there are three sides to every story!”

    Love Triangle was developed by the producers of Married at First Sight Australia, Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay company) in conjunction with 9Network.  This U.K. production is produced by Workerbee and exec produced by Charlie Faux and Ben Mitchell.  It was commissioned for E4 by Channel 4 Factual Entertainment Commissioning Editor, Lee McMurray and Head of Youth and Digital, Karl Warner.

  3. Banijay Rights Lands First Screw Deals

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    Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of Banijay, today announces the first sales of gripping new prison drama Screw.

    Following the six-part drama’s premiere on Channel 4 in the UK on 6th January, Screw has been acquired by SVOD service BritBox in Australia and public broadcaster TVNZ in New Zealand. Both BritBox and TNVZ will launch the series later this year.

     

    Produced by STV Studios for Channel 4 and from BAFTA-nominated writer Rob Williams (The Victim, Killing Eve), Screw (6 x 60’) is a prison drama like no other, told through the embattled, inspiring officers who work at Long Marsh men’s prison.

    In charge of C-Wing is Leigh Henry (Nina Sosanya), a career officer who’d do anything for her prisoners – but she has a secret that if discovered, could cost her the job – and even her liberty. With the arrival of fiery new recruit Rose Gill (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell), part of the Governor’s mission to replace long-time staff with fresh meat, Leigh must risk everything in her fight to hold onto the job that defines her.

     

    Kell Hoddinott, VP Sales, Australia and New Zealand, Banijay Rights, said: Screw is one of those rare dramas that perfectly blends the tough reality of life behind bars with dark humour in abundance. With an exceptional cast and a stellar storyline from Rob Williams, we are thrilled to secure this series in Australia and New Zealand and take it to a wider audience.”

     

    Screw was commissioned by Caroline Hollick, Channel 4 Head of Drama, and overseen by Gemma Boswell, Channel 4 Commissioning Editor. Rob Williams is Creator, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, with Karla Crome and Roanne Bardsley completing the writing team. Sarah Brown is Executive Producer for STV Studios (The Victim, Elizabeth is Missing), Brian Kaczynski is Producer (The Cry, Peaky Blinders) while Tom Vaughan (Dr Foster) and Jordan Hogg (Ackley Bridge) are directing. 

     

    Banijay Rights handles international distribution for the series.

  4. Cupid’s arrow flies transcontinental in new Channel 4 dating series The Language of Love (w/t)

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    Channel 4 has commissioned a new international dating series from 2LE Media, Motion Content Group and Zeppelin, a Banijay Iberia company. The Language of Love (w/t) will see a group of Brits and a group of Spaniards pairing up at a dreamy Spanish country estate to see if they can find romance… despite not speaking each other’s language.

    Set in a stunning finca in Andalusia, the eight-part series for Channel 4 will be hosted by Davina McCall alongside Spanish TV host, actor and singer Ricky Merino, who will be on hand to interpret how the couples’ relationships are developing.

    A group of Brits seeking romance will travel to Spain where they’ll meet their potential partners – a group of Spanish speakers also looking for their own historia de amor – to test whether love is deeper than just words. Can sparks fly even with a language barrier to overcome? The newly-formed couples will take part in challenges and tasks to help them test their connection as well as learning more about each other’s countries, their culture and their languages. At the end of the series, will they choose amor or adiós? The international lovers will face a big dilemma: to call it quits, stay together long distance, or perhaps move country to be with their new found love.

    The Language of Love (w/t) is commissioned for Channel 4 by Phil Harris, Head of Entertainment and Events, and Genna Gibson, Commissioning Editor, Entertainment. The 8 x 60’ series is produced by 2LE Media, Motion Content Group and Zeppelin, a Banijay Iberia company. Sophie Alcock is Series Producer and Executive producers are Michael Livingstone, Tom Thostrup and Georgina Hinds for 2LE Media, Martin Oxley for Motion Content Group, with Amparo Castellano and Salva Romero from Zeppelin. Banijay is the exclusive distributor, holding global format and distribution rights.

    Channel 4’s Phil Harris, Head of Entertainment and Events, comments: “This is a truly fresh and entertaining dating experiment that throws up surprising cultural exchanges, hilarious linguistic mishaps and red-hot holiday romances all overseen by the original queen of reality, Davina, and her wonderful Spanish counterpart, Ricky.”

    Tom Thostrup, co-founder of 2LE Media adds: “In this series we want to give our international singles the ultimate holiday romance and see if they can hurdle the language barrier to build a potential life-changing relationship, with Davina and Ricky willing them to succeed all the way.”

    Martin Oxley, Executive Producer for Motion Content Group says “After a few years off from foreign travel, most of us have probably forgotten how to ask the way to the beach in Spanish. Motion couldn’t be more delighted to brush up its language skills with Davina & Ricky, 2LE, Banijay and Channel 4 with this clever and truly laugh out loud new series.”.

    Amparo Castellano, General Director of Zeppelin, a Banijay Iberia company adds: “We all know how powerful love and attraction is, and this new format takes the dating genre to the next level, truly exploring whether singletons can communicate when speaking different languages. It’s been a highly entertaining concept to develop and co-produce with 2LE and Motion, and we’re sure our international colleagues at Banijay will have success bringing this format to other markets around the world.”

    The Language of Love (w/t) will TX next year on Channel 4.

  5. Banijay Rights strikes multiple global sales for RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service

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    Banijay Rights today announces the sale of gripping new drama RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service to a raft of broadcasters worldwide.

     

    Ahead of the eight-hour drama’s much-anticipated premiere on Channel 7 and 7plus in Australia on Wednesday, 11th August, RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service has been acquired by Channel 4 for More 4 in the UK, PBS in the US, TV4 in Sweden, SBS in Belgium, Talpa in the Netherlands and TVNZ in New Zealand.

     

    Produced by Endemol Shine Banks for the Seven Network, RFDS portrays the modern-day heroes of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, capturing the beauty and brutality of Australia’s vast centre where doctors and nurses, pilots and support staff negotiate the unique challenges of emergency rescue across some of the most inhospitable places in the country.

     

    The drama, co-created by Imogen Banks, Mark Fennessy and Ian Meadows, stars TV Week Logie Award-winning actor Stephen Peacocke (Home and Away, Wanted), TV Week Logie Award-winning star Rob Collins (Mystery Road S2, Total Control, Glitch) and acclaimed actors Emma Hamilton (Mr Selfridge, The Tudors), Justine Clarke (Tangle, Hungry Ghosts, The Time Of Our Lives) and Ash Ricardo (Offspring, Bite Club).

    RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service received major production investment from Seven Network in association with Screen Australia and was financed with support from Screen NSW through the Made in NSW Fund and the Regional Filming Fund. Banijay Rights is the exclusive distributor of RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service across all platforms.

     

    Claire Jago, EVP Sales and Acquisitions EMEA, Banijay Rights, said: “Based on extraordinary real-life stories, RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service is a powerful drama series that not only perfectly chronicles the ‘edge-of-your-seat’ emergencies our heroes attend, but also the sense of community that brings these lives together. We’re extremely pleased with the widespread interest for this show, which we are sure will delight viewers worldwide.”

     

    RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service is produced by Imogen Banks and Sara Richardson for Endemol Shine Banks while Executive Producers are Mark and Carl Fennessy for Endemol Shine Australia and Julie McGauran for Seven.

  6. Banijay’s The Write Offs Books First International Deals

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    Banijay confirms The Write Offs has landed its first international deals, having been picked up for Australian and Danish audiences.

     

    Metronome Productions will produce the local Danish version for DR1, while SBS has also ordered its own version of The Write Offs which will be called Lost for Words from Endemol Shine Australia. Originally created by Shine TV for Channel 4, The Write Offs gives a group of adults the amazing opportunity to change their own lives.

     

    Around the world ordinary people struggle with the basic skills necessary for everyday situations, whether it be reading a signpost, writing a shopping list or sending a text message to a loved one. Like the UK version, the Australian and Danish productions offer a group of adults the chance to change their lives forever. New doors are opened as they receive one-to-one tuition and face entertaining tasks to take them out of their comfort zones to improve their reading and writing. It’s an eye-opening and emotional journey, culminating in a moving and dramatic performance surrounded by their friends and family.

     

    Lucas Green, Global Head of Content Operations at Banijay: The Write Offs is a heart-warming format which uses personal stories to address a critical issue relevant to every country around the globe. Whilst the subjects’ journeys are poignant and challenging, this uplifting show is full of heart, humour and triumph as viewers see the participants grow in confidence like never before, to share their newfound abilities in front of an audience of stunned and proud loved ones.”

     

    Lana Salah, Executive Producer at Shine TV adds: “Shine TV aims to create thought-provoking formats which entertain, and we are incredibly proud to add another travelling format to our roster. The Write Offs is an empowering series, tackling a sensitive topic with sense of warmth and fun, it’s going to be exciting to see how the lives of learners from Australia and Denmark will be changed forever.”

     

    Metronome Productions is behind hit shows such as MasterChef Denmark, The Block, TaskMaster, The Island and Ex on the Beach. Last year the company produced new formats Alone Together and Fabulous Dads, with both showing international potential.

     

    Endemol Shine Australia is responsible for producing ratings hits such as MasterChef, Big Brother, AustralianSurvivor, LEGO Masters, Married at First Sight and International Emmy Award Winning Old People’s Home For 4 Years Olds.

  7. Banijay Renovates Changing Rooms for Germany

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    Banijay today announces home renovation format Changing Rooms is making a comeback in Germany after 15 years.

     

    Commercial broadcaster RTLZWEI has ordered a 4-part series from Banijay Productions Germany, which is set to air later this year.

     

    This year will also see the legendary property series refreshed in the UK, making a high-profile return to its home market. Produced by Shine TV, the UK series will air on Channel 4, in partnership with Dulux.

     

    Changing Rooms sees two sets of homeowners from the same neighbourhood work against the clock to renovate a room in each other’s houses. They might not share the same tastes, but they are completely in charge of creating a new look for the chosen room – and anything goes.

     

    Lucas Green, Global Head of Content Operations, Creative Networks at Banijay says: “In a year when the world has been forced to stay at home, we’ve learned that property and interiors shows have become more relevant than ever before. Home renovation and DIY are thriving and viewers are hungry for inspiration for refreshing and fun designs. With the UK and now Germany updating the show to suit the Instagram and Pinterest generation, we are already seeing advanced interest in other markets.”

     

    Arno Shneppenheim, Managing Director at Banijay Productions Germany says, “Changing Rooms offers great renovations and high-drama as neighbours take charge of one another’s homes. Viewers can expect jaw-dropping moments as well as plenty of hints and tips on how to upscale and design with flair.”

     

    Shona Fraser, Head of Entertainment & Development at RTLZWEI comments: “We’re very excited to bring the “Changing Rooms” reboot to Germany and think it will be a perfect fit for our young female audience. We’ll be telling the story across all our linear and digital platforms to reach our audience on all touchpoints.”

     

    Changing Rooms first launched in the UK in 1996 and has been adapted in 12 markets. The format has made recent returns in the US where it is known as Trading Spaces, as well as Australia.

    Led by Arno Schneppenheim, Banijay Productions Germany has a diverse slate spanning entertainment, comedy, reality and adventure. Recent and forthcoming credits include Temptation Island and Temptation Island VIP, Battle of the Reality Stars, Stand Up 3000, Undressed and Sing On!

  8. Channel 4 brings back iconic home-DIY show Changing Rooms

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    Bring on colour, patterns, textures and imagination… Minimalism begone! Changing Rooms is back and it’s bringing interior design legend Laurence Llewelyn Bowen with it.

     

    Channel 4, in partnership with Dulux, has commissioned Shine TV (part of Banjay UK) to make a new version of the legendary ‘90s and ‘00s home-DIY series, giving it a fresh lick of paint for an era of pinspiration and insta-interiors.

     

    Presented by Davina McCall, Changing Rooms sees two sets of homeowners from the same neighbourhood work against the clock to renovate a room in each other’s houses. They might not share the same tastes, but they are completely in charge of creating a new look for the chosen room – and anything goes.

     

    The homeowners will be making all the decisions about the makeovers, and as a nation of interiors and style obsessives, expectations are higher than ever. In true Changing Rooms style, the transformations will be spectacular, innovative and, quite possibly, unexpected.

     

    Along the way, our bold and creative homeowners will be supported by two handy teams of DIY experts and decorators, captained by LLB and a second interior designer who has an opposing style to that of the original Changing Rooms star. The show will be packed full of design and DIY hints and tips, teaching us how to be crafty on a budget by upscaling and adding sparkle to unloved or outdated corners of our homes.

     

    Davina McCall said: “I’m so excited to be presenting Changing Rooms. It’s a classic! It’s the perfect time to bring it back, everyone is going DIY and decor mad! I can’t wait to see all the amazing transformations – I might even get stuck in myself if I’m allowed to be let loose with a paint brush!”

     

    Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen added: “There’s no room for beige in our homes and, just as it was in the 90s, Changing Rooms is once more the homestyle antidote to Britain’s blues (and greys and taupes, and even Magnolia). It’s taken quite a lot of coaxing to get me under the Changing Rooms banner once more, but nothing like as much coaxing as it’s going to take for me to squeeze those leather trousers back on.”

     

    Jonny Rothery, commissioning editor for Channel 4, said: “With us all spending so long staring at our own four walls, there’s never been a better time to see the return of the nation’s favourite interiors show. Let the house swapping begin!”

     

    Mark Sammon, Director of Entertainment, Shine TV, said: “I’m delighted we’re bringing the Godfather of home makeover back to the UK. Changing Rooms is bigger, brighter and better than ever, and on a mission to bring colour to the walls of the nation.”

     

    Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux, said: “The nation has got its decorating mojo back which makes it the perfect time for Changing Rooms to return to TV. It will inspire a new generation to discover the power of colour, to get creative and improve the spaces they live and work in.”

     

    Changing Rooms is a 6 x 60’ primetime series. It was commissioned for Channel 4 by Jonny Rothery, commissioning editor, Formats and Features with Sarah Lazenby, Head of Formats and Features. It will be made by Shine TV and executive produced by Mark Sammon and Katie Brosnan, and the series producer is James Kane.

     

  9. IWC to make Holiday Hire Makeover Format for Channel 4

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    IWC, a Banijay company, today announces it has been commissioned to make TX pilot, Hire My Home, afactual entertainment format for Channel 4.

     

    Featuring two skilled interior designers, Anna Campbell-Jones (Scotland’s Home of the Year) and Zeena Shah, this show takes bland rentals and turns them into unique holiday lets. The designers are each assigned a property in the same area of the UK and given a budget by the owner to transform it. It will be their job to give each property a stunning makeover, drawing inspiration from the character and culture of the surrounding area, and creating a stand-out style would-be holidaymakers can’t ignore. The rejuvenated rentals will then be judged by 100 Brits via a Hire My Home app, with photographs and price point uploaded. Swiping through the pictures, each of them will decide if they would book it or not, just as people do in the real world. But which designer will come out on top?

     

    The show is commissioned in a summer where many are opting out of foreign travel and holiday rentals in the UK can expect a boom in popularity. For the thousands of homeowners who advertise their properties online, there has never been a better time to make sure theirs stands out from the crowd. Whether it’s a first-timer who has never listed their place or someone who wants to refresh a rental that has seen better days, Hire My Home is ready to turn their property into a design dream.

     

     

    Gerard Costello, Executive Producer at IWC said: “Letting our designers loose on some of the UK’s holiday lets is a great way to see some exciting and characterful transformations. This format will not only give Channel 4 viewers great inspiration for their next staycation, it will be full of creative ideas for improvements they can make in their own homes.”

     

    The series has been commissioned by Jo Street, Head of Daytime and Head of Hub, Glasgow for Channel 4, and is Executive Produced by Gerard Costello for IWC. Hire My Home will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

  10. IWC to Make New Location Shows for Channel 4

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    IWC, a Banijay Group company, today announces it has been commissioned to make 18×60’ episodes of Location, Location, Location: 20 Years in the Making (w/t) for Channel 4.

     

    In the 20th anniversary year of the hit show, Location, Location, Location: 20 Years in the Making (w/t) will bring together some of our most memorable stories from the past offering up the social history, from bust to boom and back, of house buying in Britain over a generation. Each episode will explore a theme, from the toughest markets over the years and the times people have questioned whether it’s a good time to buy a property, to million-pound homes and first-time buying.

     

    Punctuating some of our top home search stories, there will be new stats, giving rundowns on how buying property has changed over the years. Crucially though, each programme will be naturally filled with the energy and tone we’ve come to know and love from the series. Lots of lovely properties, lots of tricky searches and lots of fun from Kirstie and Phil.

     

    Mark Downie, Creative Director of IWC said:“Over the last twenty years, on Phil and Kirstie’s watch, property became a British national obsession. This new series offers their peerless perspective on how, over two decades, the dips and swoops of the property market have transformed Britain and by extension changed the lives of every one of us.

     

    At IWC, like our peers across the industry, we are using innovative and creative ways to continue to make programming for our buyers, whilst adhering to social distancing and lockdown measures.”.

     

    The filming of the next series of Location, Location, Locationhas been pushed back in light of government advice and in order to protect our presenters, contributors and crew. The production continues to safely run a core team and IWC is looking forward to taking on the challenges of new house-hunters as soon as conditions allow.

     

    The series has been commissioned by Deborah Dunnett, commissioning editor Channel 4, and is Executive Produced by Gerard Costello for IWC.  Location, Location, Location: 20 Years in the Making, will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

  11. RDF to Document Building of Britain’s Most Expensive Home for Channel 4

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    RDF, a Banijay Group Company, today announces it has been commissioned by Channel 4 to make a 1×60’ prime-time documentary following the building of billionaire businessman, John Caudwell’s, lavish new home in London’s Mayfair.

     

    In Britain’s Most Expensive Home: Building for a Billionaire, RDF has exclusive access to the building site of one of the most epic homes ever to be renovated in the UK. The documentary will tell the story of this complex project, covering almost 50,000 square foot that must be carried out in the narrow confines of historic Mayfair.

     

    Over budget and behind schedule, the build is far from plain sailing. Self-made billionaire and philanthropist John Caudwell, who sold Phones 4u in 2006 for just under £1.5 billion, is at the heart of the film, cajoling builders and designers alike to deliver on his vision for his new home. With access to the trades people and interior designers who must answer to one exacting client the film follows their work as a they try to meet the new deadline for completion.

     

    Unique engineering tasks and challenges include a vast subterranean basement that joins two mansions together, housing a mechanical car stacker that can store eight cars at the click of a button, and a second floor dining room featuring a river with live fish.

     

    Dan Barraclough, Executive Producer, RDF said: “This incredible access gives us a glimpse into the world of the truly mega wealthy, where every whim can be realised, but where things can still go wrong, as on any building site. At the heart of the programme is the intriguing character of Caudwell himself – A tough taskmaster, but also a committed philanthropist. He is a man with huge wealth, but one who still counts the pennies, the boy from Stoke who has set his heart on a home in the ‘old money’ world of Mayfair. It makes for a fascinating character portrayal.”

     

    Britain’s Most Expensive Home: Building for a Billionaire was commissioned by Jonny Rothery, Commissioning Editor for Features & Formats at Channel 4, and is Executive Produced by Dan Barraclough at RDF. RDF is part of the Banijay Group, and all worldwide rights to Britain’s Most Expensive Home : Building for a Billionaire are owned by Banijay Rights.

  12. On the Edge Drama Anthology Championing Fresh New Talent Returns

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    On The Edge, Channel 4’s BAFTA nominated anthology of (3×30) short films is back for a second series. The films, produced by BlackLight Television, a Banijay Group company, and written and directed by the most exciting new talent in the UK, look at the lives of three diverse characters trying to find their place in the world.

     

    This year, the films focus on three unusual love stories depicting characters and worlds not often seen on British TV. With humour, truthfulness and warmth, the anthology asks: how do we navigate today’s complicated world? How do we share our inner challenges with the ones we love? And how do we form connections despite, or perhaps because of, our differences?

     

    The cast across the anthology include BAFTA winner Jack Rowan (Born to Kill, Peaky Blinders), BAFTA nominated Amanda Redman (New Tricks, The Good Karma Hospital), Michael Socha (This is England ’90, Electric Dreams), Catherine Steadman (Downton Abbey, Victoria), Rudi Dharmalingam (The Split, Dark Money), Andi Osho (Kiri, Curfew), Shobna Gulati (Coronation Street, In the Club) WhatsOnStage Award winner Jamael Westman (Hamilton) and introducing newcomers India Eva Rae and Juliet Okotie.

     

    On The Edge is developed though the 4Stories initiative, the channel’s commitment to finding brand new diverse talent.

     

    Caroline Hollick, Head of Drama at Channel 4, said: “It’s such a privilege to be able to give a voice to the very best new writing and directing talent in On The Edge, 4Stories. This year’s films have a thrilling, fresh perspective on modern Britain, and are told with heart, humour and utter fearlessness.”

     

    Philip Trethowan, Executive Producer for BlackLight Television, said: “We are delighted to be working with Channel 4 once again to introduce the best new writing and directing talent to the industry. Supporting such exciting and diverse emerging talent is something we are incredibly proud of and it is fantastic that Channel 4 provide the platform to make their voices heard.”

    About the films:

     

    Adulting

    Adulting is a moving story about a neuro-diverse girl and a lost boy. Candice (India Eva Rae) is a young vulnerable woman who desperately wants some independence and has moved into her own flat. Kems (Jack Rowan – Born to Kill) is a young man, down on his luck, sleeping on his mate Olly’s (Michael Socha – This is England ’90) sofa to get away from his alcoholic dad. A chance meeting between the two leads to an intimate friendship, but when Olly calls in a favour, Kems feels under pressure to take advantage of Candice. Have they all underestimated her?

     

    Written by Chinonyerem Odimba and directed by Ash Morris.

     

    For You

     

    For You is a funny and heartbreaking story about mental health. Rev (Rudi Dharmalingam – The Split) and girlfriend Alex (Catherine Steadman – Downton Abbey) are passionately in love but Rev suffers from anxiety and depression which he tries to control with therapy, medication and mindfulness. Things come to a head at Alex’s sister’s wedding weekend when Rev is confronted by her family’s prejudice. Will the pressure be too much to bear? Can Rev and Alex’s relationship survive? And will he ever be able to master a golf swing in front of his father in law? Also stars Amanda Redman (New Tricks) as Alex’s mother.

     

    Written by J C Servante and directed by Stroma Cairns.

     

    BBW

     

    BBW is a funny, vibrant and heartwarming coming of age tale about a young plus-size British Nigerian woman trying to find her voice. Everyone in Remi’s (Juliet Okotie) life thinks they know what she should do. Her father (Jude Akuwudike – Fortitude) wants her forgiveness, her mother (Andi Osho – Kiri) wants her to grow up and get a job, her friends (Paisley Billings – Tattoo Fixers and Rose-Marie Christian) think she’s too trusting of her new man (Jamael Westman – Hamilton). Remi just wants her life to begin but will she ever be able to take control?

     

    Written by Yolanda Mercy and directed by William Stefan Smith.