BritBox announces first global commission, Murder in Provence

BritBox announces first global commission, Murder in Provence

London/ New York (25/05): BritBox UK and BritBox North America today announced that the global streamer has commissioned its first pan-territory original: (3 x 90) mystery series MURDER IN PROVENCE from Monumental Television.

Starring Roger Allam (Endeavour, The Thick of It), Nancy Carroll (The Crown, Father Brown) and Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman), and based on the books by M.L. Longworth, Murder in Provence follows Antoine Verlaque (Allam), Investigating Judge in Aix-en-Provence, and romantic partner Marine Bonnet (Carroll) as they investigate the murders, mysteries and dark underbelly of their idyllic home. Their efforts are aided by Hélène (Settle), a detective and Antoine’s trusted confidante.

Murder in Provence is being adapted for the screen by renowned playwright Shelagh Stephenson (Shirley, Before You Go, Downton Abbey), directed by Chloe Thomas (The Deceived, Harlots, Victoria) and produced by Grainne Marmion (Harlots, Doctor Foster). Executive Producers are Debra Hayward, Alison Owen and Alison Carpenter. Stephenson and Allam also serve as Executive Producers.

Monumental Television, part of ITV Studios, was founded by Oscar nominated film producers Alison Owen and Debra Hayward in 2014.

The series, which is due to go into production in the UK and France in July, marks the first global collaboration between BritBox UK and BritBox North America. The series will debut exclusively on the streamers in 2022.  ITV Studios will be responsible for international distribution.

Will Harrison, Managing Director BritBox UK said “We hope that Murder in Provence will be the first of many global Originals made exclusively for BritBox subscribers. The books by M.L. Longworth seem to be tailor made for television and we can’t wait to launch the series next year.”

“Murder in Provence is the perfect series for our first major collaboration with our BritBox UK colleagues,” said Emily Powers, Head of BritBox North America. “It’s exciting to be able to bring the best British mysteries to the screen for BritBox fans in multiple regions, and I look forward to all the pan-territory commissions to come ”

Alison Owen of Monumental Television commented: ‘We are thrilled that BritBox has given us the opportunity to bring M.L. Longworth’s delightful books to the screen. Shelagh, with her brilliant wit and knowledge of Provence, is the perfect writer to bring Mary Lou's world to life.  The pairing of Roger Allam and Nancy Carroll as Antoine and Marine is just delicious and promises sparring and fun as they solve crimes in one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes’

Murder in Provence will be available exclusively to BritBox subscribers in 2022.

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About BritBox UK

BritBox is a digital video subscription service created by the BBC and ITV. The service brings the very best in past, present and future British programming and award-winning content to viewers all in one place for £5.99 per month in HD. British TV boxsets from All 4 and British films from Film 4 are also available. The service includes high quality factual and entertainment content from Channel 5 plus original British comedies from Comedy Central UK. BritBox features the biggest collection of British content available on any streaming service, and brand new commissions for British production companies specifically created for BritBox. BritBox also offers expert curation and playlists that will enable viewers to easily find programmes they know and discover new favourites via web, mobile, tablet, connected TVs and streaming devices including Fire TV, Apple TV, Freesat & Chromecast. Content on BritBox can be downloaded and viewed offline where rights allow.

About BritBox North America

BritBox is a digital video subscription service offering the largest collection of British TV in the U.S. and Canada. Created by two British content powerhouses—BBC Studios, the commercial subsidiary arm of the BBC, and ITV, the UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster—the service features exclusive premieres, often day and date with their UK premiere, and iconic favorites all in one place. BritBox is available on multiple platforms, including via the web, mobile, tablet, streaming devices and connected TVs.    

About Monumental Television

Monumental Television was launched in 2014 by Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning producers Alison Owen (SUFFRAGETTE, THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL, JANE EYRE, TEMPLE GRANDIN) and Debra Hayward (HOW TO BUILD A GIRL, LES MISÉRABLES, MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS, BRIDGET JONES' BABY). Strong, female-driven stories make up Monumental’s television slate, which includes three series of Hulu’s critically acclaimed HARLOTS, starring Samantha Morton, Lesley Manville, Jessica Brown Findlay and Liv Tyler. In 2020, series two of Monumental’s comedy series GHOSTS aired on BBC One to rave reviews, and series three is currently in post-production. A US version of GHOSTS has been picked up to series by CBS and will air later in 2021. Hayward and Owen were also Executive Producers on Netflix’s ANNE WITH AN E (2017-2020), adapted by Emmy award-winning writer Moira Walley-Beckett from the children’s classic Anne of Green Gables.