Hollywood star Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight, Secretary) and acclaimed British actor Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch) will make their MIPTV debut next month to attend BBC Worldwide’s global launch of The Honourable Woman. The new drama by BAFTA award winning writer/director Hugo Blick (The Shadow Line) will have its global premiere on the opening day of the international TV market (April 7).
The gripping eight-part drama, an Eight Rooks and Drama Republic Production for BBC co-produced with Sundance TV, will be screened at 3pm (Palais, Auditorium A) followed by an exclusive Q&A with Maggie Gyllenhaal, Andrew Buchan, creator Hugo Blick and Executive Producer Greg Brenman (Ripper Street).
Maggie Gyllenhaal in The Honourable Woman
There is already huge excitement from international broadcasters about this new drama. The combination of Maggie Gyllenhaal in the lead role and the creativity of Hugo Blick makes The Honourable Woman a must-see thriller. “We are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming them, along with Greg Brenman from Drama Republic and the very talented Andrew Buchan, to Cannes,” said Paul Dempsey, President Global Markets, BBC Worldwide.
Greg Brenman, Executive Producer and MD at Drama Republic, said: “We are delighted to premiere The Honourable Woman at an international event like MIPTV. The series explores universal themes of reconciliation, human and political conflict and emotional turmoil, all woven into the highly complex and emotionally charged tapestry of international politics. The drama, and its international cast, will hopefully resonate with audiences all over the world, making MIPTV an ideal place to launch this original and unrivalled drama.”
The Honourable Woman tells the story of one woman’s personal journey to right the wrongs conducted in a past life. As a young girl, Nessa Stein witnessed the assassination of her father by the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. Now in her thirties, Nessa is at the forefront of the Middle East peace process. But when she awards a lucrative contract to a Palestinian businessman, who is later found dead, she finds herself under the close scrutiny of Whitehall and the Secret Intelligence Service.
The Honourable Woman will air on BBC Two in the U.K. and on Sundance TV in the U.S. later this year.
BBC Worldwide’s MIPTV drama slate also includes Series 2 of Da Vinci’s Demons (10 x 50’), a revisionist account of the early life of the genius and free thinker, Leonardo da Vinci from writer David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight trilogy, Man of Steel), produced by Adjacent Productions for Starz.
Factual titles new to the market are Louis Theroux’s LA Stories, three new films (3 x 50’) entitled Edge of Life, City of Dogs and Sex Offenders which explore different elements of life in Los Angeles.
Mud, Sweat & Gears (8 x 60’), a BBC America original production produced by BBC Worldwide Productions for BBC America and BBC Worldwide, hosted by Brits Tom ‘Wookie’ Ford and Jonny Smith, two real-life friends and U.K. car journalists, has the daredevil pair work as rival team captains, accompanied by two fellow car enthusiasts. Together they have 24 hours to mutate, supersize or reconstruct ordinary vehicles and engage in perilous and humorous competitive stunt challenges shot in California.
Human Universe (5 x 50’) is a landmark series that offers an original new perspective on human life, presented by Professor Brian Cox.
From the Natural History genre, Life Story (6 x 50’), narrated by Sir David Attenborough, follows the captivating journey from birth to parenthood of individual animals as they face triumph, tragedy, humour and joy. Also from the BBC’s Natural History Unit is Lands of the Monsoon (5 x 50’), the story of a relationship between humans and nature that has grown across thousands of years — all living in the shadow of the monsoon.
Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan Series 2 (10 x 50’), a BBC AMERICA original production, produced by Cream Productions and Wildfire Television and co-produced by BBC Worldwide, sees the actor and wildlife enthusiast going on a thrilling adventure to the most remote corners of the globe in search of the most incredible, elusive and exotic animals on the planet.
King of the swingers, Robbie Williams’ latest offering is his performance at London’s legendary Palladium along with special guests Lily Allen, Rufus Wainwright and The Muppets’ Miss Piggy. Robbie Williams: One Night at the Palladium (1 x 60’) sees the singer performing his interpretation of classic swing hits as well as new tracks written with long-term musical collaborator Guy Chambers.
