BBC Three snags exclusive UK rights for Sky & HBO’s Luca Guadagnino drama

We Are Who We Are

BBC Three in the UK has picked up first window rights to We Are Who We Are, the widely anticipated Luca Guadagnino drama that is being co-produced by HBO and Sky.

The eight-part limited series has been acquired from Fremantle, which sells the show globally and also owns The Apartment and Wildside, the two prodcos behind the series. Lorenzo Mieli is onboard for The Apartment, while Mario Gianani is attached for Wildside, alongside European prodco Small Forward.

Despite Sky being a co-pro partner on the series, TBI understands the show is destined only for Sky Italia, meaning BBC Three could take UK rights. The show will launch on HBO in the US on 14 September and is set to launch on Sky in Italy this fall, followed by its UK premiere.

The series tells the story of two American kids who live on a US military base in Italy. It explores friendship, first love, identity and the “exhilaration and anguish of being a teenager – a story which could happen anywhere in the world, but in this case, happens in this little slice of America in Italy.”

The cast includes Chloë Sevigny, Jack Dylan Grazer and Alice Braga.

Jamie Lynn, EVP and head of EMEA distribution for Fremantle, brokered the deal with the BBC and said the show’s exploration of “universal issues such as identity, culture, gender and diversity” made it “the perfect addition to BBC Three and its young adult audience.”

Sue Deeks, the BBC’s head of programme acquisition, said: “We are so delighted that this beautifully observed drama will be enjoyed by BBC viewers – it really is very special.”

Guadagnino described the deal with the “the prestigious and remarkable BBC” as “an accomplishment and a soothing encouragement.”