In the last seven days, Fremantle has launched three scripted series in the UK to huge acclaim. The Salisbury Poisonings (BBC One), My Brilliant Friend (Sky Atlantic and NOW TV) and The Luminaries (BBC One) have captivated audiences with their compelling stories.
Group COO Andrea Scrosati commented: “It’s been an incredible week for Fremantle scripted series. Each of these shows is completely unique – but they are all created and told by world-class storytellers that we are fortunate to work with. I am incredibly proud and excited to share our upcoming slate of programmes that truly cement our position as a leading name in global drama.”
The Salisbury Poisonings
In March 2018, the eyes of the world turned to the British city of Salisbury when it became the epicentre of what has been described as one of the biggest political events of the 21st century – but until now, the heroic act behind the headlines have not been told.
The Salisbury Poisonings is the incredible true story of the assassination attempt on double agent and spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, which sent shock waves through a small community and the public services left to deal with an unprecedented national emergency. Those affected by the attack, namely policeman Nick Bailey and local Head of Public Health Tracy Daszkiewicz, have worked exclusively with producers to tell their stories amidst the ongoing investigation. Capturing the fear, uncertainty and immense heroism of a community in turmoil, this s the real human story of how Salisbury rose to the challenge of fighting a lethal contagion.
This three-part series, produced by our partners at Dancing Ledge Productions, launched to record audiences on BBC One of over 10 million viewers and is the channels No1 drama launch since 2018.
My Brilliant Friend: Story of a New Name
Based on the internationally bestselling Neapolitan novels by Elena Ferrante, the critically acclaimed global smash hit returned on Friday 19 June for a second season. Lila and Elena are now 16 and on the cusp of womanhood. During a summer holiday in Ischia, the two girls reunite with their childhood acquaintance Nino Sarratore, now a university student with great prospects. The encounter will forever change the nature of their bond, propelling the girls onto two completely contrasting paths. This second season of My Brilliant Friend follows the two girlsʼ friendship in this new chapter of their lives. Their youthful vitality blossoms and their close connection is threatened, as the girls follow, lose and find each other again.
The Guardian gave the series 5 stars in their review, calling it “…an exceptionally gorgeous show…absorbing, gripping television that demands that you sink into it completely, closing off all distractions.”
The Luminaries
Set on the wild west coast of New Zealand’s South Island at he height of the 1860s gold rush, The Luminaries tells an intricately woven, suspenseful tale of love, murder and revenge. The story begins in 1865. Anna Wetherell (Eve Hewson) has travelled to New Zealand to forge a new life. On the last day of her voyage, a romantic first encounter with the radiant Emery Staines (Himesh Patel) fills her with great expectations for what lies ahead.However, the scheming fortuneteller Lydia Wells (Eva Green) has other ideas for Anna and lays a trap to ensure that the planned rendezvous between the young lovers never takes place. Deceived, swindled and betrayed, Anna’s fortunes begin to fall. She is drawn into Lydia’s elaborate blackmail involving opium, gold, false identity and fraud, which ultimately finds her framed for murder, imprisoned and fighting for her life. The bond between these starcrossed lovers is more than mere affinity. Anna and Emery are what is known as “astral twins”, they were born at the very same instant, under the very same sky, which has created a magical connection, driving them towards a single destiny. When Emery vanishes without a trace, leaving Anna without an alibi for a murder she did not commit, the noose of the plot begins to tighten around her. Faced with the impossible, she must ask: do we make our fortunes, or does fortune make us?
The show launched last night (Sunday) to 5.3million viewers on BBC One and is ranked as the No 2 drama launch of 2020 – behind The Salisbury Poisonings.
