BBC Studios Global Entertainment Licenses ‘Doctor Foster,’ ‘Ghosts’ for Greek Adaptations – Mipcom Bulletin

BBC Studios’ Scripted Formats, Documentaries Head Abroad

BBC Studios Global Entertainment has licensed the drama “Doctor Foster” and comedy series “Ghosts” in Greece. The former, a BAFTA-winning psychological drama about a doctor whose outwardly perfect life implodes after she discovers her husband has been unfaithful, will star Marilita Lambropoulou in the lead role and Nikos Kouris as her husband. The original series was written and created by Mike Bartlett and produced by Drama Republic. It has already been successfully adapted in France, Japan, the Philippines, Slovakia, South Korea, MENA and Turkey. ANT1 TV and Silverline Media Productions will produce the Greek version.

“Ghosts,” originally produced by Monumental Television in association with Them There for BBC One, turns on a young couple that inherit a haunted mansion. Celebrated Greek screenwriter Theodore Petropoulos is penning the local adaptation, which Tanweer Productions will produce. It will air on Star Channel in autumn 2025.

“Asia” and “Solar System,” a pair of BBC Studios’ documentaries, have closed presales in several countries. “Asia,” a nature docuseries filmed over the course of four years, has pre-sold in Australia (Nine), China (Dragon TV and Phoenix TV), Denmark (DR), Japan (NHK), New Zealand (TVNZ), Norway (NRK), Portugal (SIC), Spain (Movistar Plus+) and Switzerland (RSI). Produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and co-produced by BBC America, ZDF and France Télévisions. “Solar System,” produced by BBC Studios Science Unit Production with Nova and GBH, has sold to Australia (ABC), Croatia (HRT), Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia (AMCNI CNE), France (France Télévisions), Germany (ZDFinfo), Italy (Sky Italia) and Spain (Movistar Plus+). Both programs will also be available on BBC platforms in numerous countries.

It Started Out With a Kiss

RTL’s Dutch streaming platform Videoland is working on a local version of ITV’s LGBTQ+ dating show “I Kissed a Girl.” Casting is currently open, and production will kick off in 2025, ahead of the show’s premiere, which will be later in the year. Set in an exotic location, “I Kissed a Girl” brings together a group of single queer women in search of the perfect partner. However, before any conversation can start, each pairing must first kiss to see if sparks fly. The U.K. original was produced by ITV Studios’ Twofour and proved a hit for BBCThree, particularly with younger audiences. It has since sold to broadcasters in Brazil, the Netherlands, Denmark, the U.S., New Zealand and Ireland.

TGC Squashes Beef

Phil Gurin’s recently launched global distribution company, TGC Global Entertainment, has agreed to collaborate with Norwegian public broadcaster NRK and signed a representation deal with German production company Magis TV. Under the deal, TGC will represent NRK’s factual entertainment format, “Norwegian Beefs,” which breaks down internet celebrity “beefs,” or quarrels. TGC-distributed competition series “Canada’s Ultimate Challenge” has been optioned by Madame Zheng Production, a Leonine company, in Germany and is being shopped at Mipcom under the title “The League of Extraordinary.”

Seven Network, BBC Studios Extend Partnership

Australia’s Seven Network has renewed a longstanding output deal with ITV Studios, which will now run until 2029. Under the extended deal, Seven Networks gets first-look rights to ITV Studios’ scripted and non-scripted finished content to include on its suite of channels and platforms. Recently acquired titles under the previous deal included “The Crow Girl,” “Line of Duty,” “The Murdoch Mysteries,” “Vera” and “Endeavour.”

Digital Business

ITV Studios is launching a digital label, Zoo 55, headed by Martin Trickey as managing director and ITV Studios’ EVP for digital Graham Haigh as COO. Trickey, who will join in Jan. 2025 from WarnerBros International TV Production, will report to ITV Studios’ president for global partnerships Ruth Berry. Zoo 55 will be tasked with taking ITV Studios brands further into digital via YouTube channels, social media and streaming platforms. As part of the restructure, ITV’s creative agency Metavision, led by Ashley Lewis, will also be placed under the Zoo 55 banner.

Château DIY Sales

Cineflix Rights has closed multiple international deals on Spark Media Partners’ series “Château DIY.” The show, which is in its eighth season and also boasts spin-off “Château DIY: Living the Dream,” follows château owners across France as they embark on mammoth renovations to their homes and castles. The show has sold to Canada (CBC), Australia (Nine Network), New Zealand (TVNZ), Denmark and Norway (TV 2), France (NRJ) and AMC Networks International Central and Northern Europe, among others.

‘Our Summer of Freedom’ Animated Series Sells in Italy, Canada

Miam! Distribution has closed deals with Italian public broadcaster RAI and Canada’s TFO for the 2D animated series “Our Summer of Freedom,” produced by French studio Darjeeling (“Petite Casbah”). Set in Algiers in 1955, the series follows a group of kids who try to free an older brother after he is arrested. The series was created by screenwriter Alice Zeniter (“The Art of Losing”) and Alice Carré. RTS (Switzerland), DR (Denmark) and TV5 Monde (French territories worldwide) all previously purchased the series, which will premiere on France Televisions on October 28. English and Italian-language versions should be ready before the year’s end.

All3Media Sell Fast-Food Doc ‘Irresistible’ Globally

All3Media International has closed deals in Europe, Australia and Asia for Lion TV’s 90-minute documentary “Irresistible: Why We Can’t Stop Eating.” Ahead of its BBC Two and iPlayer debut later this year, the title sold in Europe to SVT (Sweden), Movistar+ (Spain) and TV2 (Denmark). BBC Studios licensed it in a pan-territory deal in Africa, and Now TV Hong Kong and SBS in Australia have also picked up the TV feature. Featuring insights from experts and scientists in the nutrition field, the documentary will examine the secrets used in making ultra-processed foods that make them so addictive.