News round-up: HBO Max starts ‘Playing Dirty’ in Spain; SBS in Oz makes ‘Sick’ move; Topic taps Israeli banker drama

LR: Gorka Otxoa, Hugo Silva, Dafne Fernández & Miguel Ángel

HBO Max starts Playing Dirty in Spain

Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO Max has started production on original drama, Playing Dirty (aka Monos con Pistola).

The 7 x 30-minute comedy series about the world of soccer has been created by Jorge Valdano Sáenz and Pablo Tébar, based on an idea from Carolina Bang and Álex de la Iglesia (30 Coins). The series is produced by Pokeepsie Films (Banijay Iberia).

The show is among those to have been spared from WBD’s decision to radically cut HBO Max originals across Europe, with job cuts ensuing.

While originals from both France and Spain will continue to be produced, it remains unclear how commissioning teams in the countries will be affected by broader cuts.

SBS in Oz makes Sick move

SBS in Australia has acquired Nordic drama Sick (aka Sjukt) following a deal with UK-based sales house Videoplugger.

The 8 × 20-minute show follows a London-based woman who finds out she is free of cervical cancer, but can barely process the good news before she’s dumped by her boyfriend, leaving her to return to Stockholm to live with her parents.

The series is produced by Nexiko Drama and was created by Lisa Ambjörn, who is currently working on season two of Netflix show, Young Royals. Sjukt is based on her own experience of surviving cervical cancer at the age of 24.

Topic taps Israeli banker drama

US streamer Topic has acquired Israel drama Embezzlement.

The show, which follows a true story about a banker who steals money from her family-owned employer, was produced by Yes TV and MoviePlus Productions.

Topic has taken exclusive streaming rights in North America.