Acorn TV teams with DRG for Martin Clunes drama Manhunt

Acorn TV, the US streaming service specialising in British television, has struck a deal with DRG to be the exclusive North and South American partner for new ITV drama Manhunt.

Based on the memoirs of former London Metropolitan police detective DCI Colin Sutton, the three-part drama from Buffalo Pictures follows how the detective tenaciously pursued serial killer Levi Bellfield.

Acorn TV will exclusively premiere the series in North America in early 2019 as an Acorn TV Original. Also, part of the deal includes a premiere of Clunes’ latest travel doc, Islands of America.

Manhunt is written by Silent Witness scribe Ed Whitmore and directed by Marc Evans (Trauma).

Shannon Cooper, director of programming for Acorn brands at RLJ Entertainment, said: “Martin Clunes remains one of the most popular actors with our subscribers from Doc Martin, his travel documentaries, among several other shows, so we’re thrilled to acquire his newest dramatic role in Manhunt and work with Buffalo Pictures again. The compelling program also marks another first-rate production with DRG, our partners on Detectorists and The Level, among many others.”

Scott Kirkpatrick, senior VP, North & South America for DRG, added: “DRG is excited to be overseeing international distribution for what’s sure to be another first-rate drama from Buffalo Pictures. Our friends at Acorn TV are ideal partners for premiering high-quality British drama in the United States.”