DRG conquers Strange Empire

UK-based distributor DRG has acquired international distribution rights to Strange Empire, a 13x60mins drama for Canadian pubcaster CBC.

The series, written and created by Laurie Finstad, follows three women from the US-Canada boundary frontiers of the 1860s who are brought together by a series of brutal murders.

Finstad executive produces along with Tim Johnson and media investor Jeff Sagansky, with Janestown Productions producing in association with Johnson Production Group.

“Strange Empire is a unique series in that it represents a darker, alternative view of the traditional frontier story,” said Johnson of the Johnson Production Group. “The three female protagonists each embark on a dangerous journey of survival, set in a region that was pretty much lawless at the time.”

For DRG, the acquisition comes as part of a push into drama that has already seen it acquired Channel 4 police drama Babylon and Norwegian thriller Eyewitness.

“This acquisition is a further example of our growing ambitions in scripted,” said DRG’s senior VP, acquisitions, Noel Hedges (pictured). “We have a catalogue of unique drama franchises and Strange Empire sits perfectly well in our portfolio as a gripping, beautifully crafted and authored drama from a uniquely creative writer.”