CBS Studios International and Sky have inked a deal for the exclusive U.K. broadcast rights to the new drama series Madam Secretary, which will premiere in the coming months on Sky Living. Téa Leoni stars as Elizabeth McCord, the shrewd, determined, newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State who drives international diplomacy, battles office politics and circumvents protocol as she negotiates global and domestic issues, both at the White House and at home. Bebe Neuwirth, Geoffrey Arend, Patina Miller, Erich Bergen, Željko Ivanek and Tim Daly co-star. “I knew as soon as I saw Madam Secretary at this year’s L.A. Screenings it was perfect for Sky Living,” said Channel Director Antonia Hurford-Jones. “It’s a smart, pacy quality drama which has you hooked from the start. I feel confident our customers are going to love it.”
NBCUniversal International Television Production and TV3 Group Ireland are partnering to co-develop new formats to air on TV3 broadcast network and other international channels starting next year. For NBCUniversal ITVP, the creative conversations will be led by its in-house format lab, Tellycopter. The initial focus for the creative teams will be on new factual entertainment and studio-based formats. Both parties will share all IP created through the partnership, and NBCUniversal has been granted the right to exploit the format and distribution rights internationally. It’s the first official co-development partnership agreement for the TV3 Group.
Filming has begun in Glasgow on Scottish Mussel, an “eco rom-com” from writer-director Talulah Riley. Martin Compston, Riley and Joe Thomas star in the film, with Henry Enfield, Emun Elliott, Paul Brannigan, Rachael Sterling, Russell Kane and Rufus Hound also in the cast. An illegal pearl fisherman who works at conservation center to cover his tracks a meets a pretty conservationist who is passionate about saving endangered mussels from pearl thieves. He falls for her but must fend off a smooth-talking American while dodging a mobster who’s after the pearls. Jason Maza, Noel Clarke and Phil Dore are producing for Unstoppable Entertainment. Cassian Elwes is serving as executive producer on the project alongside Wayne Goodfrey, David Gilbery and Robert Jones.
