BBC Two buys Aussie period drama

UK broadcaster BBC Two has acquired Australian period drama A Place to Call Home.

The deal with Endemol Worldwide Distribution hands the BBC channel local rights to the show. In North America, RLJ Entertainment has acquired the first two seasons for its VOD service, Acorn TV, DVD release and distribution on public television stations in syndication, as TBI reported earlier this month.

This comes after Australian pay TV operator Foxtel saved the popular series with a double-season commission after former broadcaster Seven Network had ditched it.

The show comes from Seven Productions, Seven’s studio arm, and was created by Packed to the Rafters and Winners & Losers producer Bevan Lee.

Set in rural 1950s Australia, the show is billed as “a sweeping and romantic drama of one woman’s journey to heal her soul and of a privileged family’s confrontation with a changing era”.

“Place to Call Home is a world class period drama series created by a first class cast and creative team, and we are delighted that UK and US audiences will be given a chance to enjoy it,” said Seven’s director of production Brad Lyons. “We are building a significant presence in the production of content not only for the Australian market but with an increasing focus on international markets.”