BritBox, the British TV streaming service from BBC Studios and ITV, returned to TCA in a big way, with the newly announced extension of its production partnership with Agatha Christie Limited and Mammoth Screen for three more adaptations of works by the most famous mystery novelist in the world – Agatha Christie. Each new adaptation will be steered by a distinctive voice – a director, a writer or auteur – bringing an entirely new perspective and style to Agatha Christie’s novels. The news was unveiled to virtual attendees at the semi-annual gathering of the Television Critics Association (TCA) by Emily Powers, Head of BritBox North America, further fortifying BritBox’s deep collection of acclaimed UK programming.
“I am thrilled to be continuing our relationship with Agatha Christie Limited and Mammoth Screen for three more adaptations of Agatha Christie’s mysteries” states Emily Powers, Head of BritBox North America. “I look forward to working with each creative team to bring a new unique perspective to Christie’s incredible stories.”
In her remarks, Powers also revealed BritBox will double its creative and investment output with new co-productions and Originals including a new deal with All3Media International for the co-production of The Confessions of Frannie Langton (description below) in North America, Australia, and South Africa, starring Karla Spence (Blue Story) as Frannie, Sophie Cookson (Kingsman: The Golden Circle), Stephen Cambell-Moore (Downton Abbey), and Jodhi May (Small Axe). The series was adapted by Sara Collins from her book of the same title and directed by Andrea Harkin (The Trial of Christine Keeler) and produced by Carol Harding (My Name Is Leon) for Drama Republic Limited for ITV Network in the UK. Also announced was the acquisition of two more BritBox Originals; The Thief, His Wife, and The Canoe (description below) starring Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan) and Monica Dolan (Wolf Hall, W1A) from All3Media International and The Responder (description below) starring Martin Freeman (Sherlock) from Fremantle backed Dancing Ledge Productions.
BritBox panels made a splash, starting with a surprise announcement during the Sister Boniface Mysteries (description below) panel that season 2 has been greenlit. The series is a spin-off of the fan favorite Father Brown, and stars Max Brown, Jerry Iwu, and Lorna Watson as Sister Boniface. Following was a panel for Murder in Provence (description below) based on the books by M.L. Longworth and starring Roger Allam, Nancy Carroll, and Keala Settle. Lastly, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? (description below) based on the iconic 1934 Agatha Christie novel, is adapted and directed by Hugh Laurie and starring Lucy Boynton and Will Poulter.
Additionally, BritBox’s true crime co-production, The Barking Murders (description below) will premiere later this year, from Jeff Pope and Neil McKay, the award-winning team behind Moorside and Appropriate Adult, starring Stephen Merchant and Sheridan Smith.
“In just a few short years, BritBox has grown to well over 2 million subscribers and counting. We’ve been able to do that by letting our content speak for itself.” said Powers. “We’re not just acquiring hours to boost catalogue, we’ve built out our own commissioning team and are partnering with renowned studios, production companies and talent to make award-worthy, premium co-productions and Originals.”
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BritBox Commissions and Co-Productions
Sister Boniface Mysteries (Renewed for a Seconds season)– From the makers of Father Brown and Shakespeare & Hathaway, comes a light-hearted murder mystery series starring a Vespa driving, crime solving Catholic nun. Lorna Watson (Watson & Oliver) stars as Sister Boniface, along with Max Brown (Downton Abbey), Jerry Iwu (Halal Daddy), Miranda Raison (MI-5), and Ami Metcalf (Allied). It’s the 1960s and police forensics are rudimentary. Luckily the residents of Great Slaughter, nestled deep in the British countryside, have a secret weapon – Sister Boniface. This nun might be predisposed to forgive – but she’s also one hell of an amateur detective. If there’s evidence to be found, Boniface will find it, with a little help from dashing maverick DI Sam Gillespie and buttoned-up Bermudan DS Felix Livingstone. Commissioned by BritBox North America, produced by BBC Studios Drama Productions, created by Jude Tindall, executive produced by Will Trotter and series produced by Peter Bullock and script produced by Neil Irvine. Globally distributed by BBC Studios Distribution. Premiered: February 8
Murder in Provence – Starring Roger Allam (Endeavour, The Thick of It), Nancy Carroll (The Crown, Father Brown) and Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman), and based on the books by M.L. Longworth, Murder in Provence is a three-part original murder mystery that follows Antoine Verlaque (Allam) and his partner Marine Bonnet (Carroll) as they investigate the murders in their idyllic home town Aix-en-Provence. Their efforts are aided by detective Hélène (Settle), Antoine’s trusted confidante. Commissioned by BritBox North America and BritBox UK, adapted by Shelagh Stephenson, directed by Chloe Thomas, produced by Grainne Marmion, and Executive Produced by Debra Hayward, Alison Owen and Alison Carpenter, along with Stephenson and Allam. Premiere: March 1
Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? – Based on her 1934 novel, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? opens with a fine Agatha Christie enigma: a man lies dying at the foot of a cliff, apparently the victim of an accidental fall; with his final breath, he utters the mysterious question of the title and promptly expires. Some people – perhaps most people – might shrug at the impenetrable oddness of the words and move on with their lives. But Bobby Jones, played by Will Poutler (Dopesick) and his childhood friend, Lady Frances “Frankie” Derwent, played by Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody) are not most people. They resolve to honor the dead man by playing ameteur sleuths with the mission of deciphering, and then answering, his final question. In so doing, they hit upon a dark conspiracy of deceit, betrayal and – perhaps unsurprisingly – murder.
Joining Poulter and Boynton on the series are Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones) as Bobby’s friend and mentor, Dr. Thomas, and Daniel Ings (I Hate Suzie) as Roger Bassington-ffrench, target of the duo’s early suspicions. Maeve Dermody (The Secret Garden), plays Moira Nicholson, troubled wife of the domineering Dr. James Nicholson, and Jonathan Jules (Small Axe) appear as Ralph “Knocker” Beadon, one time shipmate of Bobby, and good man in a tight corner. Executive Produced by Emily Powers, Gina Cronk, and Jonathan Karas for BritBox North America, Produced by Claire Jones for Mammoth Screen, alongside Damien Timmer and Helen Ziegler, and James Prichard for Agatha Christie Limited. Premiere: April 12
The Confessions of Frannie Langton – Set against the opulence of Georgian London, The Confessions of Frannie Langton, narrates Frannie’s journey from a Jamaican plantation to the grand Mayfair mansion of celebrated scientist George Benham and his exquisitely beautiful wife, Madame Marguerite Benham. In a misguided and monstrous gesture Frannie is gifted to Benham by the man who owns her, John Langton, and she is employed as a maid in the household much to her chagrin. Events take a fateful turn as the Benhams are found murdered in their beds, with Frannie lying next to Marguerite. Frannie is accused of murder; a murder she has no recollection of, other than she couldn’t possibly have killed her mistress because she was devoted to her. Dragged away to prison, Frannie attempts to piece together the events of that night. She is deep into a laudanum addiction and unable to recall what happened. Will Frannie recall the haunting events of that night? All she knows is she loved Marguerite passionately and cannot believe she would have hurt her. But if not Frannie, who did commit the double murder? Others have motives, but only Frannie is accused and she will hang if found guilty. What hope does she have of clearing her name? Starring Karla Simone-Spence (Blue Story) as Frannie, Sophie Cookson (Kingsman: The Golden Circle), Stephen Cambell-Moore (Downton Abbey) and, Jodhi May (Small Axe), adapted by Sara Collins from her book of the same title and directed by Andrea Harkin ( The Trial of Christine Keeler) and produced by Carol Harding (My Name Is Leon) for Drama Republic Limited for ITV Network in the UK. Produced by Drama Republic for ITV, UK in association with All3Media International. Co-produced with BritBox for North America, Australia, and South Africa. Premiere: To Be Announced
The Barking Murders – From Jeff Pope and Neil McKay, the award-winning team behind The Moorside and Appropriate Adult, the new factual drama will go beneath the headlines to shed new light on this haunting story of a serial killer (also known as the Grindr Killer), by telling it from the point of view of the families and friends of the four victims who were murdered by Stephen Port, played by Stephen Merchant (Extras). The Barking Murders focuses on the fight to uncover the truth about what had happened to their lost sons, brothers and loved ones in the face of a now widely criticized police investigation. Directed by David Blair, produced by Serena Cullen and executive produced by Jeff Pope for ITV Studios, Neil McKay and Lucy Richer for the BBC. The drama was commissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama and Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Office. It is a co-production with BritBox North America, where it will premiere in the US and Canada, and is distributed internationally by ITV Studios. Premiere: June
Traces S2 – Lab assistant Emma Hedges, played by Molly Windsor (Three Girls) is now training to be a forensic chemist, and on the cusp of seeing her mother’s murder case finally resolved. Daniel, played by Martin Compston (Line of Duty) is to give evidence against his father. Meanwhile, professors Sarah Gordon, played by Laura Fraser (Better Call Saul) and Kathy Torrance, played by Jennifer Spence (Supernatural) are investigating a deadly bombing campaign. Homemade devices are going off around Dundee, with critical clues hidden inside the bombs. Will the team track down the bomber before their identity goes up in smoke? Joining this cast this season is Zoe Tapper (Grantchester) as Cleo Morey. Produced by RED Production Company (It’s A Sin, Years and Years) for UKTV and based on an original idea by best-selling crime writer Val McDermid. Amelia Bullmore returns to write the second series with Jess Williams (Grantchester, Call the Midwife). Nicola Shindler (It’s A Sin, Happy Valley) executive produces alongside RED’s Michaela Fereday (Finding Alice, Scott & Bailey). BBC Studios distributes both series one and two internationally. Premiere: February 22
