BBC Four buys French mystery drama

BBC Four has acquired Witnesses: A Frozen Death, an eight-part mystery from France.

Witnesses is directed by Hervé Hadmar and produced by Cinétévé for France 2. It stars Marie Dompnier (The Tunnel) and Audrey Fleurot (Spiral).

The series follows Sandra Winckler (Dompnier), who explores the case of 15 male bodies found frozen on an abandoned bus.

Witnesses was acquired by Sue Deeks, BBC head of programme acquisition, and Cassian Harrison, channel editor of BBC Four, from Newen Distribution UK, the UK distribution arm of Newen.

Harrison said: “Witnesses: A Frozen Death will be the perfect mystery series for BBC Four viewers to delve into as the nights turn colder. It’s especially exciting to welcome Audrey Fleurot back to the channel, co-starring in what is sure to be our next big hit French drama.”

Newen has significantly upped its business in the UK after launching a £50 million (US$65 million) high-end drama fund for the territory’s producers, while BBC Four has previously found success with French-language dramas such as Engrenages (Spiral).