BBC has Picnic at Hanging Rock with Fremantle acquisition

UK pubcaster the BBC has secured UK rights for FremantleMedia International’s Picnic at Hanging Rock.

The series, based on Joan Lindsey’s Australian novel, follows the mysterious disappearances of three schoolgirls and one teacher on Valentine’s Day 1900. It stars Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer as the English headmistress.

Picnic at Hanging Rock is a FremantleMedia Australia production for pay TV service Foxtel. It will have its world premiere on Foxtel in 2018.

Executive producers include FremantleMedia Australia’s Jo Porter and Anthony Ellis and Foxtel’s Penny Win. The script producer and establishing writer is Beatrix Christian who will be joined by writer Alice Addison.

Brett Popplewell will join as producer and Larysa Kondracku, Michael Rymer and Amanda Brotchie as directors.

“The combination of creative team and cast – led by one of Britain’s most exciting actors, Natalie Dormer – will make for a must see series for both fans of the classic novel and those coming to this wonderful story for the first time,” said Sue Deeks, head of programme acquisitions for the BBC.