Sky 1 HD commissions adaptation of classic adventure MOONFLEET
Sky 1 HD today (Friday 22 June, 2012) announced the commission of MOONFLEET (2 X 60'), a new family drama set to transmit on Sky 1 HD in 2013. Greenlit by Anne Mensah, Head of Drama, Sky, the two part adaptation of the classic John Meade Falkner story will be produced by the award-winning Company Pictures. The scripts have been written by Ashley Pharoah (Life On Mars, Ashes to Ashes).
Filming will commence later this year on this much loved adventure set in the small Dorset village of Moonfleet. In the story young John Trenchard is haunted by dreams of the legendary Blackbeard and captivated by the whereabouts of his fabled diamond. Desperate to join the local band of smugglers, a turn of events unites him with Elzevir, the leader of the gang. Together they embark on a danger-filled adventure to locate Blackbeard's most treasured possession.
Anne Mensah, Head of Drama, Sky commented: “MOONFLEET is one of those unusual classic titles which people have heard of but that hasn’t been done to death. This allows us to make it feel unique to Sky, to please people who grew up with the story but also to bring in a new generation of viewers who might not be so familiar with the text. And of course it is going to be a Sky drama so expect big action as well as smugglers, fights, ghosts, diamond hunting and a father/son story which should totally and unashamedly capture your heart. Huge thanks to Company Pictures and Ashley Pharoah for bringing such a fantastic story to life for us”.
Charlie Pattinson, Executive Producer, Company Pictures, said: “MOONFLEET is a wonderful action adventure story – driven by smuggling raids, shipwrecks and a warm hearted love story. We are delighted to be working with Sky again and share their ambition to produce this well loved story on an epic scale.”
Further production and casting details will be unveiled in due course.
This latest commission is part of Sky's commitment to increase its investment in original British content by 50% over the next three years. By 2014, Sky expects to invest £600 million a year in British programmes across its portfolio of channels. This commitment follows the success of home-grown comedies such as TROLLIED, SPY and STELLA, entertainment hits GOT TO DANCE and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, dramas such as STRIKE BACK and MAD DOGS, and factual shows including ROSS KEMP EXTREME WORLD, AN IDIOT ABROAD and the BAFTA-winning documentary FLYING MONSTERS 3D.
MOONFLEET will be shown exclusively on Sky 1 HD and Sky 1 in 2013. Following the addition of Sky 1 HD to Sky Go, customers will also be able to watch on the move on iPad, selected smartphones and laptops at no extra cost.
Commissioned by Anne Mensah, Head of Drama, Sky 1 HD, Executive Produced by Huw Kennair-Jones for Sky and Charlie Pattinson, Claire Ingham, Ashley Pharoah and Patrick Spence for Company Pictures. The programme is directed by Daniel Percival (Strike Back and Waking the Dead) and produced by Andrew Benson.
For further information please contact
Elena Kemp - Publicist, BSkyB
T:
E: elena.kemp@bskyb.com
Notes to editor
About Sky
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