ABC Studios and Hoodlum sign global first look deal

ABC Studios International and Australian prodco Hoodlum Entertainment have signed a worldwide first look deal, stepping up their international development and production efforts.

In this newly formed pact, the international programming arm of ABC Studios and Hoodlum will develop new content for the global international marketplace, including the US.

Disney Media Distribution will have international rights across all media for productions resulting from the collaboration.

This deal follows ABC Studios International and Hoodlum partnering on the new drama series Harrow, which will be filmed in Australia this year.

Harrow is the story of a forensic pathologist Dr. Daniel Harrow, who may also be a murderer. ABC Studios and Hoodlum collaborated previously on the US version of the Australian hit Secrets And Lies. It is ABC Studios International’s first commission since its launch in November 2015.

ABC’s managing director of international content and talent, Keli Lee, who is based in London, will lead the collaboration for the Alphabet Network, while Tracey Robertson, Hoodlum’s CEO, will do the same based out of Disney Studios at Burbank in Los Angeles. Nathan Mayfield, Hoodlum’s chief creative officer, will also participate in the venture. He is based in Brisbane.

Lee said: “This collaboration with Hoodlum is very exciting for us as it marries us to a highly-respected content company with a track record for producing quality programs for worldwide distribution.

“This stems from our strong relationship with Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield at Hoodlum Entertainment.”