Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: Wisting

  1. Banijay Rights Signs Scripted Package Deal with CANAL+ Group in France

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    Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, today announces it has signed a comprehensive package deal for its high-end, blockbuster dramas with CANAL+ Group, the major French audiovisual media group, for its channel POLAR+.  The complete deal, including relicenses, will give POLAR+ subscribers access to over 85 hours of Banijay Rights’ critically acclaimed scripted shows and TV movies.

     

    The agreement between Banijay Rights and CANAL+ Group covers a full slate of titles with the acquisition of popular new dramas: Wisting, Public Enemy, Rebecka Martinsson and newly launched Belgian drama, GR5: Into the Wilderness.

     

    GR5: Into the Wilderness(8 x 45’), is a psychological thriller new to the Banijay Rights catalogue. Launched in spring to the international market, the drama is co-produced by Zodiak Belgium and Red Balloon for VRT and ZDF Neo. Shot entirely on location, this layered, character-driven series takes viewers through the dark woods and the everchanging landscapes of the Alps in search of the truth as to what happened to a missing girl. Everybody is a suspect. Directed by Jan Matthys (Quiz me Quick, In Vlaamse Velden, The Last Kingdom), GR5: Into the Wilderness, is set to premiere later this year on POLAR+, the CANAL+ Group channel dedicated to drama thrillers.

     

    Following its success in major territories, such as the UK, US and Spain, Norwegian crime drama, Wisting (10 x 45’), is included in the CANAL+ Group acquisition. Starring Sven Nordin and Carrie-Anne Moss, this popular series follows homicide detective William Wisting as he wrestles with the most challenging and shocking case of his career: a wanted American serial killer living among them. Based on best-selling books by Jørn Lier Horst, Wisting is produced by Cinenord and Good Company Films, in co-production with Viaplay, Degeto Film,TV3 Norway and Ripple World Pictures.

     

    Also secured in the deal are both seasons one and two of Yellow Bird’s production for TV4 Sweden, Rebecka Martinsson; a riveting drama series based on the acclaimed author, Åsa Larsson’s, best-selling crime novels. Set in the remote and spectacular landscape of northern Sweden, series one sees lawyer Rebecka Martinsson, leave behind a great career in Stockholm and return to her small hometown to investigate the murder of a close childhood friend. Rebecka is pulled into a thrilling hunt for the murderer who may kill again.  As she homes in on the truth, Rebecka is forced to confront a traumatic past event which still haunts her and caused her to abandon the very place she lived as a child.

     

    Winner of the hotly contested inaugural MIPDrama Screenings Buyers’ ‘Coup de Coeur’ Award, and a primetime ratings hit for RTBF, Public Enemy, series one and two,have also been sold to CANAL+ Group. The Belgian crime thriller is a co-production between Entre Chien et Loup and Playtime Films for RTBF in Belgium. The series 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.

     

    The French linear premiere for series two of Rebecka Martinsson will be on POLAR+ later this year. Meanwhile, Wisting, along with season one of Rebecka Martinsson and Public Enemy, are currently available on the POLAR+ replay service, which is accessible via myCANAL.

     

    Isabelle Queme, VP of Sales, Banijay Rights comments,“We are sure that the range and depth of the titles acquired and re-licensed by CANAL+ Group will be well-received by their audience and will help to maintain the CANAL+ Group reputation as the go-to platform for high-end scripted content.”

     

    Jean-Marc Juramie, Senior EVP, Pay TV Content, CANAL+ Groupsays,“We are thrilled at CANAL+ Group to offer the best of thriller series to POLAR+ subscribers who are eager to discover new stories and talents from all-over Europe.”

  2. Banijay Rights Ties Up Scripted Package Deal with AMC Networks’ Sundance Now

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    Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, and AMC Networks’ US streaming service Sundance Now announce a pan-territory deal for five major drama titles, including MIPCOM launch The Gulf and upscale Norwegian drama Wisting.

    Headlining the deal is brand new German-New Zealand thriller The Gulf, (6 x 60’). The drama centres around the moral disintegration of Detective Jess Savage, who finds herself caught between upholding the legal justice system, and morality, as she investigates crimes on her home patch of Waiheke Island, New Zealand. The Gulf is an international co-production from Screentime New Zealand, Lippy Pictures and Letterbox Filmproduktion.

    Sundance Now will also add the character driven crime thriller Wisting (10 x 45’) to its slate. Based on the best-selling novels written by Jørn Lier Horst, the series stars Sven Nordin (Lilyhammer, Valkyrien) and Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix trilogy, Marvel’s Jessica Jones). The 10-part production follows homicide detective William Wisting as he wrestles with the most challenging and shocking case of his career: a wanted American serial killer living in Norway. Wisting is produced by Cinenord in co-production with Good Company Films, Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group), Degeto Film and Ripple World Pictures.

    Sundance Now will feature the exclusive U.S. premieres of The Gulf beginning Wednesday, December 4 and Wisting beginning Wednesday, December 18, 2019.

    Other titles acquired by the US streaming service from the Banijay Rights catalogue include Scandinavian offerings Couple Trouble (8 x 45’) and both series one and two of romantic comedy, Idiomatic (19 x 30’). Zodiak Finland’s Idiomatic produced for Elisa Viihde follows the life and times of an urban, bilingual, environmentally conscious left-wing couple in their thirties. Meanwhile, Couple Trouble, produced by Mastiff Denmark for NENT Group, centres around a couple who aren’t prepared to give up on each other so together start seeing a counsellor. Will the counselling help them, and can they allow love to return to their relationship?

    The French ratings hit, The Red Shadows (6 x 60’), has also been snapped up by Sundance Now. From H2O Fictions and Gétévé Productions for C8, The Red Shadows tells the story of a young woman who uncovers her mysterious past and meets a family she never knew she had.

    The extensive scripted deal was brokered by Andreas Lemos and Jess Winchester for Banijay Rights; Shannon Cooper and Jess De Leo for Sundance Now.

    Andreas Lemos, VP of Sales – North America, Banijay Rights comments, “We are excited to work with Sundance Now and deliver a slate of diverse and gripping series for their audiences. These international dramas deliver exactly what viewers are looking for right now – strong universal themes placed in unique and intriguing settings with high-end production values and talent.”

    Shannon Cooper, VP of Programming, Sundance Now, said, “Sundance Now is thrilled to offer our subscribers several high-quality new dramas from our friends at Banijay. With their gripping scripts, breath-taking settings and stellar ensemble casts, Wisting, The Gulf and the other programmes are ideally suited for our streaming service specialising in addictive dramas from across the globe.”

    Streaming service Sundance Now offers a rich selection of original and exclusive series from engrossing true crime to heart-stopping dramas and fiercely intelligent thrillers from around the world, all streaming commercial-free.

  3. Banijay Rights Sells Premium Drama Wisting Into The UK

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    Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, has today confirmed that high-end crime drama Wisting starring Carrie-Anne Moss and Sven Nordin has been acquired by BBC Four in the UK.

    The drama is based on the best-selling books ‘The Caveman & The Hunting Dogs’ by writer Jørn Lier Horst. Set in the unique and stunning landscape of Norway, this series follows homicide detective William Wisting as he wrestles with the most challenging and shocking case of his career: a wanted American serial killer preying amongst them.

    Hollywood actress Carrie-Anne Moss known for her roles in The Matrix and more recently Marvel’sJessica Jones, plays FBI Agent Maggie Griffin alongside British actor Richie Campbell (Anuvahood, The Frankenstein Chronicles) who plays Special Agent John Bantham. The pair are brought in to help Wisting and his team apprehend the infamous killer who has eluded capture for years. Leading Norwegian theatre and film actor Sven Nordin (Valkyrien) stars as Detective William Wisting.

    Meanwhile, Line – Wisting’s intrepid journalist daughter – is chasing headlines, leading her straight into the path of the serial killer. Suddenly, an old case comes back to haunt Wisting, and a dreadful accusation is hurled at him. How will Wisting save other lives when he finds himself suspended and fighting for his own reputation, career and life?

    The 10 x 45’ series is produced by Cinenord in co-production with Good Company Films, Viaplay, Degeto Film, TV3 Norway and Ripple World Pictures. Wisting will hit UK screens later this year.

    Chris Stewart, Commercial Director – Scripted comments, “Wisting is a multi-layered drama. that is sure to keep BBC audiences in suspense throughout. It’s a classic cat and mouse thriller interwoven with some scintillating character performances from a stellar cast. I’m sure the UK viewers will enthusiastically embrace this fantastic screen adaptation.”

    Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition says, “Wisting has already been a tremendous success in the Nordic countries, and we have no doubt that BBC viewers will be equally engaged by such a likeable, emotionally complex lead character, and a compelling plot full of twists and turns.”

    Wisting is created by Katrine Valen Zeiner (Valkyrien) and Trygve Allister Diesen (The Third Eye) who also directed the series.