Drama round-up: Sony, Polsat take ‘Crack’ at Endemol Shine drama; Starzplay takes ‘High Fidelity’ global; AMC cancels ‘NOS4A2’

The Crack

Sony and Polsat take ‘Crack’ at Endemol Shine drama

Sony Pictures Television Networks Central Europe and Polish FTA channel Polsat have commissioned a new crime thriller series from Endemol Shine Poland.

The Crack (known in Polish as Rysa), which is based on the novel of the same name and its sequel The Pact, by Igor Brejdygant, tells the story of Warsaw police officer Monika Brzozowska, whose latest murder investigation uncovers clues leading to herself. Suffering from memory loss, Brzozowska is soon forced to confront demons from her past.

Maciej Migas (Life Must Go On), Łukasz Kośmicki (Ultraviolet), and Leszek Dawid (The Woods) are attached to direct, while Julia Kijowska (Humble Servants), Maciej Zakościelny (Squadron 303) and Janusz Chabior star.

Ryszard Sibilski, MD of Endemol Shine Poland, said: “This riveting crime series based on the best-selling novel The Crack will invite viewers into the dark world of deals, dependencies and secrets.

“Sony Pictures and Polsat are the ideal partners to bring this drama to the market and we are thrilled to already be filming with the stellar cast in Warsaw and Gdynia.”

The Crack is the latest scripted production from Endemol Shine Poland, following last year’s family saga Our Century, as well as crime dramas Skazane and two seasons of Krew z krwi.

High Fidelity

Starzplay takes ‘High Fidelity’ global

Streaming service Starzplay has picked up exclusive broadcast rights to recently-cancelled romantic comedy series High Fidelity in several territories.

The Starz-owned service will air the series in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latin America, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the UK, beginning 10 September, with new episodes going up weekly.

The series is an ABC Signature production for Hulu, which recently cancelled the show after just one season.

Based on the Nick Hornby novel of the same name, the series stars Zoë Kravitz (Big Little Lies) as a record store owner who’s obsessed with pop culture and talks straight to the camera as she chronicles her past relationships.

High Fidelity, which was also adapted into a feature film in 2000, was developed for television by writers Veronica West and Sarah Kucserka. Zoë Kravitz serves as executive producer, alongside West and Kucserka.

Midnight Radio’s Scott Rosenberg, Josh Applebaum, André Nemec, and Jeff Pinkner are also executive producers, as well as Nick Hornby, Jeffrey Reiner, and Jesse Peretz.

NOS4A2

AMC cancels ‘NOS4A2’

US network AMC has cancelled supernatural horror NOS4A2 after two seasons.

The series, which was based on the novel of the same name by Joe Hill, follows a young woman who learns she has the ability to track an evil immortal being who feeds off the souls of children and then deposits what’s left of them into a dark and twisted Christmas village. It starred Ashleigh Cummings and Zachary Quinto.

NOS4A2 showrunner Jami O’Brien revealed the news on Twitter, writing: “Well friends, I heard from AMC last week. We won’t be making a 3rd season of #NOS4A2. It’s a bummer, but I’m grateful we were at least able to finish adapting the storyline from Joe Hill’s terrific novel.”

The cancellation comes shortly after AMC aired the show’s second season finale on 23 August.

A statement from AMC said: “Christmasland may live forever, but NOS4A2 will come to an end with the conclusion of season two. We are so thankful to Jami O’Brien, Joe Hill and the entire cast and crew for two seasons of inspired, terrifying and thoroughly captivating and age-defying television. And thanks to the fans for climbing into the Wraith and coming along for the ride.”

Genevieve Barr

‘Curio’ writer Genevieve Barr wins Red Planet Prize

Genevieve Barr has been named as this year’s Red Planet Prize winner, with her script Curio, it has been announced by UK indie Red Planet Pictures and broadcaster ITV.

Barr, a writer and actor from North Yorkshire, receives a script commission as part of the winner’s prize and will now work with both Red Planet Pictures and ITV to develop Curio as an original four-part legal drama.

Curio examines the issue of consent when the family of a disabled man accuse his girlfriend of rape and a newspaper’s subsequent investigation throws up a spate of abuse cases surrounding the contentious issue of facilitated communication.

The competition’s runner-up is Yorkshire-based journalist, broadcaster and writer, Nick Ahad with his script Apnay, which tells the story of a crime family in Bradford and the head of the family’s quest to appoint an heir before her death.

The judges included Red Planet Pictures’ CEO Tony Jordan, ITV drama commissioner Chloe Tucker, Red Planet Pictures’ joint MD Belinda Campbell, Red Planet Pictures’ creative consultant Kate Rowland and actor and writer Rhashan Stone.

Tucker commented: “We have met so many great writers during this prize and are delighted to announce Genevieve as the winner and Nick as the runner up.

Genevieve’s writing is so visceral and surprising, it gets under your skin. We’re also very happy to recognise Nick’s work, which is incredibly entertaining. I want to thank everyone at Red Planet Pictures for helping us discover such brilliant talent.”