Ahead of MIPCOM, we can reveal an array of factual titles which will be coming to the international market this Autumn. This follows our commitment to growing our factual slate adding more high-end documentaries and impactful series with global reach to our catalogue.
The latest factual programming includes Hulu’s gripping docuseries, The Curse of Von Dutch, which chronicles the astonishing story of kidnapping, backstabbing, extortion and violence behind the cult fashion brand that embodied the birth of the internet age and celebrity culture. Viewers can expect an extraordinary snapshot of late 90s and early 2000s culture, with fascinating contributions from drug-pushing gangsters and Venice Beach surfers, to Hollywood movers and shakers like Paris Hilton and Dennis Rodman. The Curse of Von Dutch, (3 x 60’), is produced by IPC for Hulu and will reach US audiences on 18 November.
From the producers of Hostile Planet, Malika the Lion Queen and Night on Earth and comes Patagonia: Life on The Edge of The World. This pioneering new environmental documentary series sets out to explore and document one of Earth’s most unexplored, spectacular, fragile regions in all its wild glory. Ultra-High Definition (UHD) cameras and the most advanced technology are used to capture beautifully composed, cinematic ‘blue chip’ footage of earth’s final frontier. Patagonia: Life on The Edge of The World is a six-part series produced by Plimsoll Productions for CNN and is Exec Produced by Martha Holmes (Blue Planet, Life).
High-adrenaline, action-packed series, Last of the Giants, sees adventurer Cyril Chauquet and his trusted, expert crew brave the ultimate survival test; the Great North of the Americas and the Amazon rainforest. The team seek out some of the most endangered freshwater goliaths on the planet, including the armour-plated White Sturgeon, the prehistoric Pirarucu and the hulking Piraiba. After years of habitat destruction, pollution and commercial pressure, the team are collecting vital specimens that could save these species from extinction. Last of the Giants (8 x 60’) launched on Evasion earlier this month and is produced by Untamed Productions. The series comes to Discovery channel in Canada later this year and season 2 is currently in production.
Coming to Channel 4 is Louise Woodward: Villain or Victim? which provides new insight into the controversial case of the 19-year-old British nanny, who was accused of killing the infant in her care in Massachusetts. Produced by our UK label Naked, the three part series will tell the definitive version of Louise’s story offering detailed research, expert documentary film-making and exclusive access to compelling contributors with pivotal roles in the case.
After the success of the first series, award-winning wildlife expert Steve Backshall is back for more adventures to remote corners of the planet. Expedition series 2 sees Steve set out on new missions to discover fresh insights that could help to secure a future for the world’s wildlife. A couple of the breath-taking world firsts include paddling the unchartered waters of the Kronotsky river in the far east of Russia and exploring the longest lava tube in the ancient desert kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This second series (6×60’) is produced by True to Nature Productions for UKTV and will launch this November on Dave, in addition to on-demand service UKTV Play.
Key to our award-winning lifestyle slate, is another exciting addition from Chef Jamie Oliver. Returning to Channel 4 with Jamie Oliver: Together, he is on a mission to help viewers whip up delicious meals to celebrate reuniting with loved ones. This 6 x 60’ series is the ultimate guide to bringing people together over delicious and achievable food, creating a real sense of occasion at home. Made by Jamie Oliver Productions, the series started airing this month and invites viewers into Jamie’s kitchen as he prepares some fun food for some serious socialising.
Jens Richter, CEO, International, Fremantle said: “As we continue to build and grow in this competitive global market, I’m really excited by our latest raft of factual programming. These premium series are produced by experts, led by knowledgeable presenters and provide unique and exclusive access to viewers. This type of strong IP is key to Fremantle’s distribution factual slate.”
