This England, the long-awaited series from Michael Winterbottom starring award-winning actor Kenneth Branagh as U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, is due to air around the world this Autumn, following a raft of global deals by Fremantle.
The global producer and distributor has closed major sales across 88 territories for This England with leading broadcast partners including Movistar+ (Spain), Viaplay (Nordics and Baltics, Poland and the Netherlands), Cosmote (Greece), OSN TV and OSN+ (MENA), M-Net (South Africa), BBC First (Australia) and TVNZ (New Zealand). Further deals are due to be announced in the coming weeks.
Commissioning broadcaster Sky will debut the series this Autumn across all territories (United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy) underlining the international interest in this drama series.
This England, a Sky Original drama, is co-written and directed by Michael Winterbottom (The Trip, 24-Hour Party People) and stars BAFTA and Academy Award-winner Kenneth Branagh (Belfast, Tenet, Dunkirk).
Michael Winterbottom is recognised as a master creator of compelling drama from factual stories, including the award-winning films Welcome to Sarajevo, A Mighty Heart, 24 Hour Party People and The Road to Guantanamo – and This England depicts a time when ordinary people came together like never before, leadership was deeply divisive, and the nation battled the worst crisis in a generation.
Produced by Richard Brown’s Passenger (True Detective, Catch-22, Outlaw King) & Revolution Films, the 6-part series is based on Boris Johnson’s tumultuous first months as Prime Minister, tracing the impact on the country of the first wave of the pandemic. The events in government are interwoven with stories from around the country, from the experts and scientists racing against time; the doctors, nurses and care-home workers working tirelessly and heroically on the frontline; and ordinary people whose lives were thrown into turmoil.
Jens Richter, CEO International, Fremantle said, “This England is a truly unique drama that combines Michael Winterbottom’s talent for conveying powerful real-world stories with a stunning performance from Kenneth Branagh as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. This dramatic behind the scenes dramatization of how the government, the scientists, the medical community and ordinary people around England faced these extraordinary events will fascinate and compel viewers. We are honoured to partner with such a fantastic array of buyers to bring this incredible story to audiences around the world.”
This England was commissioned by Gabriel Silver, Director of Drama Commissioning at Sky Studios for Zai Bennett, Sky UK’s Managing Director of Content. In the UK, This England will launch on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW on 21 September.
