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SUNDANCE TV PICKS UP SECOND SEASON OF CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED INTERNATIONAL DRAMA "THE A WORD" FROM KESHET INTERNATIONAL
Announcement comes on the heels of season 2 renewals for "Top of the Lake,"
"Hap and Leonard" and "Cleverman"
LOS ANGELES, CA - July 31, 2016 - SundanceTV today announced at the Television Critics' Association (TCA) Press Tour that it has picked up the second season of "The A Word" from Keshet International, adding to the network's 2017 programming slate. The Fifty Fathoms and Keshet UK co-production for BBC One bowed earlier in July to rave reviews.
Dramatic, thought-provoking and lighthearted, "The A Word" captures an authentic portrait of a contemporary family after their young son is diagnosed with autism. The series follows 5-year-old Joe (Max Vento); Joe's parents, Paul (Lee Ingleby, "Our Zoo," "Inspector George Gently") and Alison (Morven Christie, "Grantchester"), who struggle with parenting philosophies; his aunt and uncle, Nicola (Vinette Robinson, "Sherlock") and Eddie (Greg McHugh, "Fresh Meat"), who are working through unfaithfulness in their marriage; and his grandfather, Maurice (Chris Eccleston, "The Leftovers," "Fortitude"), a recent widower and the owner of the family brewery.
"The A Word" is based on the Israeli Keshet Broadcasting and July August Productions drama series "Yellow Peppers," created and written by Keren Margalit, who is also executive producer on the UK series.
The English-language version is written by multiple BAFTA winner and Golden Globe(R) nominee Peter Bowker ("Marvellous," "Blackpool"). The series is a Fifty Fathoms ("Fortitude") and Keshet UK co-production for BBC One and is executive produced for Fifty Fathoms by Patrick Spence, Peter Bowker and Jenny Frayn, by Sara Johnson and Avi Nir for Keshet International and by Lucy Richer for BBC One. Marcus Wilson ("Doctor Who," "Life on Mars") is a producer.
SUNDANCE TV'S 2017 PROGRAMMING SLATE (PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED)
"HAP AND LEONARD"
The darkly comic swamp noir story follows two lifelong best friends, Hap Collins (James Purefoy), an East Texas white boy with a weakness for Southern women, and Leonard Pine (Michael Kenneth Williams), a gay, black Vietnam vet with a hot temper. Based on the popular books by Joe R. Lansdale, the series was developed by Jim Mickle and Nick Damici, with the first season following the first Hap and Leonard novel, Savage Season. The second season will take inspiration from Mucho Mojo, the second installment of the book series, and will return for six episodes.
"TOP OF THE LAKE"
The critically acclaimed brainchild of Jane Campion, "Top of the Lake" will return for a second season beginning four years on from the explosive ending of Season 1. When the unidentified body of an Asian girl washes up on to Sydney's Bondi Beach, the case seems hopeless, until detective Robin Griffin (Elisabeth Moss) discovers that China Girl didn't die alone. Gwendoline Christie and Nicole Kidman also star.
"CLEVERMAN"
Set in the near future, "Cleverman" is a startlingly original drama rooted in Aboriginal mythology. The series depicts a deeply conflicted and anxious society, fearful of a minority group living among them, endowed with extraordinary physical traits. One young man (Hunter Page Lochard) - The Cleverman - struggles with his own power and the responsibility to unite this divided world, but he must first overcome a deep estrangement from his older brother (Rob Collins). The series is based on an original concept by Ryan Griffen.
"GOMORRAH"
"Gomorrah," Italy's all-time most popular television series, is based on the best-selling book by journalist Roberto Saviano. The novel has sold over 10 million copies worldwide and inspired the film Gomorrah, which won the 2008 Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Set in the suburbs of Naples, the series focuses on the inside story of the Camorra, the fierce Neapolitan crime organization, told through the eyes of Ciro Di Marzio (Marco D'Amore), the right hand of the clan's godfather, Pietro Savastanno (Fortunato Cerlino). SundanceTV will premiere the first season in the U.S. on August 24 at 10/9c with the second season set to air in 2017.
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About SundanceTV
Since its launch in 1996, SundanceTV has remained true to founder Robert Redford's mission to celebrate creativity and distinctive storytelling through unique voices and narratives found in the best independent films. From delivering critically acclaimed Emmy(R), Golden Globe(R) and Peabody Award-winning television featuring some of the world's most talented creators and performers, to showcasing some of the most compelling and iconic films across genres and generations, SundanceTV is a smart and thought-provoking entertainment destination. SundanceTV is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc.; its sister networks include AMC, IFC, BBC America and WE tv. SundanceTV is available across all platforms, including on-air, online at www.sundance.tv, on demand and mobile.
About Keshet International
Keshet International is Keshet Media Group's global distribution and production arm. Headed by CEO Alon Shtruzman, it includes Keshet's local production outposts (Keshet UK, Keshet Australia, Keshet Studios and Keshet DCP in the US) as well as its global distribution arm. KI's catalogue consists of over 70 tried and tested properties that appeal to audiences worldwide, spanning all genres. Highlights include hit drama Prisoners of War, the original Israeli version of prime time Emmy(R) winner Homeland; hit interactive talent show RISING STAR; International Emmy(R) nominated docu-reality format Dear Neighbors, Help our Daughter Find Love; talent show MASTER CLASS; cross platform format 50 Things You Have to Know; reality dating format Girlfri3nds; game show The Vault; and 'buddy comedy' Traffic Light, winner of an International Emmy Award.
About Fifty Fathoms
Fifty Fathoms was set up in 2010, and sits under the umbrella of Endemol Shine. The company is run by Patrick Spence (MD) and Katie Swinden (Creative Director).
They are currently filming GUERRILLA, a 6 x 60' series for Showtime and Sky Atlantic, written and directed by the Academy Award winning John Ridley, starring Idris Elba and Freida Pinto, about two political activists fighting back hard against a racist police force in 1970's London.
Recent productions include MARVELLOUS, Pete Bowker's 90' film for BBC2, starring Toby Jones and Gemma Jones, directed by Julian Farino (Winner, Best Single Film, Best Director and Best Supporting Actress, BAFTA; Best Writer and Director, RTS; Best Film and Best Actor, BPG; Best Film, Writers Guild Awards and FIPA) and two seasons of FORTITUDE, Simon Donald's 10 x 1 hour crime thriller set in the Arctic for Sky Atlantic and Pivot, starring Stanley Tucci, Dennis Quaid, Michael Gambon and Sofie Grabol (first season nominated Best Series and Best Writer BPG; three BAFTA and RTS Craft Awards; Broadcast Award Best International Sales).
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