ITV Studios to distribute Leopard Pictures’ Worzel Gummidge and Roadshow Rough Diamond’s Bump

ITV Studios to distribute Leopard Pictures’ Worzel Gummidge and Roadshow Rough Diamond’s Bump

London, 2 September, 2020 – ITV Studios today announces it has acquired the international distribution rights to Leopard Pictures’ Worzel Gummidge and Roadshow Rough Diamond’s Bump ahead of its inaugural ITV Studios Fall Festival.

A ratings success for the BBC and adored by viewers and critics alike, Worzel Gummidge is a star-studded modern adaptation of Barbara Euphan Todd’s glorious stories. BAFTA winner Mackenzie Crook (Detectorists, The Office, Pirates of the Caribbean) – who also writes and directs – stars as the charming and irreverent scarecrow who mysteriously comes to life, alongside Michael Palin (The Death of Stalin, Monty Python), Zoë Wanamaker (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone), Vicki Pepperdine, Steve Pemberton and Rosie Cavaliero (Gentleman Jack).  Based on the much-loved children’s books and 80s TV series, Worzel Gummidge is a drama infused with a fun, mischievous spirit and delivered with a timely environmental message - the perfect family treat for viewers of all ages.

Stan Original Series Bump is a sharply funny and fast-paced relationship drama which explores the unplanned and life-changing consequences of the impulsive moments in life. The 10-part drama series centres around Oly (played by Nathalie Morris), an ambitious and high-achieving teenage girl who has a surprise baby; and the complications that ensue for two families. Set in and around a high school in contemporary inner Sydney and following the main characters home, Bump explores unexpected motherhood, unwelcome new relatives, and unintended consequences with humour and emotional honesty. Bump stars Claudia Karvan (The Other Guy), who leads as Oly’s mother Angie and also acts as a producer of the series.

Julie Meldal-Johnsen, EVP of Global Content, ITV Studios, said “We’re so excited to be working with the brilliant Leopard Pictures and Roadshow Rough Diamond for the first time on two fantastic shows, both from hugely talented, multi-hyphenate filmmakers. Worzel Gummidge is ‘chocolate box’ Britain at its best, beautifully and cleverly made with children at the heart of the story and Bump adds a unique, honest and exceptionally funny voice to our slate.”

The ITV Studios Fall Festival is a series of virtual content and production sessions for buyers held over three weeks from 14 September 2020.

In addition to providing a dedicated space for buyers to connect with the ITV Studios sales teams (including Global Distribution, Global Entertainment and Armoza Formats) face-to-face, underpinned by leading-edge technology, it will include a calendar of screenings as well as punchy interactive and pre-recorded sessions which will enable clients to take a deeper dive into its world-leading titles and talent.

[ends]

More about Worzel Gummidge

In ‘The Scarecrow of Scatterbrook’, two visiting orphans – who are getting a respite in the countryside from their foster home – accidently trick Worzel into coming alive for them. Worzel welcomes them into his magical, funny, weird world where nature is the utmost commodity to protect and live in harmony with – but they soon realise that their extraordinary union has put the natural world out of kilter. Magic, mystery and mayhem unfurl as this unlikely trio attempt to put things right. ‘The Green Man’ welcomes another mysterious arrival to Scatterbrook. Creator of scarecrows and keeper of scarecrow lore, the Green Man isn’t at all happy that Worzel is consorting with humans… 

Based on the books by Barbara Euphan Todd, Worzel Gummidge is a Leopard Pictures production for the BBC. It is written and directed by Mackenzie Crook. Produced in association with Treasure Trove Productions, Lola Entertainment and Pidgeon Entertainment with the participation of the UK tax credit.

More about Bump
Bump stars Claudia Karvan (The Other Guy), who leads as Oly’s mother Angie and also acts as a producer of the series. Claudia is joined by a diverse cast of new and exciting talent including, Nathalie Morris (Oly), Carlos Sanson Jnr, Catalina Palma, Safia Arain, Paula Garcia, Ioane Saula, Peter Thurnwald and Ricardo Scheihing Vasquez who play the school friends and Chilean family of the young father of Oly’s baby.

Bump is produced by Roadshow Rough Diamond (Romper Stomper, Australian Gangster) and reunites Claudia Karvan with her fellow Love My Way producer John Edwards (The Secret Life of Us). Dan Edwards (Romper Stomper) will also produce.

Directors are Geoff Bennett (Wolf Creek), Gracie Otto (The Other Guy) and Leticia Caceres (The True History of Billie the Kid). The series is created and co-written by Kelsey Munro who is joined in the writing team by Jessica Tuckwell, Timothy Lee, Mithila Gupta and Steven Arriagada.  

About ITV Studios

ITV Studios is a creator, producer and distributor of world-leading programmes that people can’t get enough of. We connect millions of people every day and shape and reflect the world they live in, we are More Than TV.

ITV Studios is home to some of the best creative minds, crafting over 8,400 hours of original programming across 55 production labels. Our global footprint spans 13 countries including the UK, US, Australia, France, Germany, The Nordics, Italy and the Netherlands and our global distribution business sells our catalogue of 46,000+ hours to broadcasters and platforms around the world.

ITV Studios is part of ITV PLC, which includes the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster.