News round-up: Dynamic takes on ‘The Fighter’; Passion expands true crime slate; Endeavor licenses Mr Men rights

The Fighter

Dynamic takes on ‘The Fighter’

LA-based Dynamic Television has expanded its Nordic drama slate by acquiring the global distribution rights to SVT’s upcoming thriller The Fighter.

The six-part Swedish series from Kärnfilm and SVT follows a female boxer on a high risk path to become the world champion. Production is currently underway in Lithuania and Sweden and the series is expected to premiere next year.

“The Fighter is an original and thrilling story set in a gritty and tough world that audiences haven’t seen,” said Daniel March and Klaus Zimmermann, managing partners for Dynamic Television.

“We knew we wanted to partner with Kärnfilm and SVT the minute we read this fantastic material and we couldn’t be more excited to bring this show to our worldwide clients.”

Released To Kill

Passion expands true crime slate

UK-based Passion Distribution has secured international distribution rights to two true crime series – Released To Kill and Killer At The Crime Scene.

The 10 x 60-minute Released to Kill is produced by Emporium Productions for CBS Reality and hosted by renowned journalist and criminologist Donal MacIntyre. The series explores the criminal investigations behind murders committed by previously convicted individuals

Meanwhile, the 8 x 60-minute Killer At The Crime Scene is produced by Spun Gold for Channel 5, and examines how, from the moment a murder victim’s body is discovered, the police face a race against time to lock down the crime scene – a “golden hour” in which to find vital clues and evidence to catch the killer.

Sean Wheatley, head of acquisitions at Passion Distribution, commented: “We are very excited to be collaborating with Emporium Productions and CBS Reality on this series.

“True crime as a genre has evolved in recent years and Released To Kill offers audiences compelling and necessary stories. Likewise, Killer At The Crime Scene from Spun Gold is an innovative series that expands the genre.”

Endeavor licenses Mr Men rights

Endeavor Content has closed a deal with Sanrio, the licence holders of the Mr Men and Little Miss children’s book franchise, for the rights to adapt the series for TV.

The agreement will allow Endeavor to develop TV properties around the characters, which were created by British writer Roger Hargreaves in the 1970s.

The Mr Men franchise celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year, with Sanrio having acquired the brand in 2011.

The deal follows Endeavor’s effort to acquire IP to create kids and family content for global audiences.