London – Fox Networks Group Content Distribution (FNGCD) announces that it will debut more than 70 new titles across almost 550 new hours in Cannes this year. The MIPCOM slate covers new and returning high-end factual titles, formats and a wide range of big-hitting dramas. Key focus for the business this market is the strength of FNGCD’s scripted slate; offering buyers a range of Latin American and Turkish dramas, the first regional scripted commission from Fox Networks Group Europe & Africa and National Geographic’s outstanding fact based dramas.
Leading the slate – and with a major launch event in Cannes – is Fox Networks Group’s first regional scripted commission for Europe & Africa. Deep State (8 x 60) is a contemporary, international espionage thriller starring Mark Strong (Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and with Matthew Parkhill (Rogue) as co-creator, writer, director and showrunner. An Endor production, it tells the gripping story of an ex-spy brought back into the field to avenge the death of his son. He finds himself grappling with his personal and professional lives – and becomes embroiled in a conspiracy between governments and big business.
MIPCOM sees FNGCD debut the first two titles from National Geographic’s new scripted focus: The Long Road Home (8 x 60), based on Martha Raddatz’s best-selling book of the same name, tells the story of a battle in Sadr City, Iraq in 2004 from the perspectives of soldiers on the ground and loved ones waiting on the home front. A revealing and emotional story of war and family it stars Michael Kelly (House of Cards), Jason Ritter (Girls) and Kate Bosworth (SS-GB). The State, from award-winning writer/director Peter Kosminsky is a hard-hitting and topical story about four Brits that leave their homes to join ISIS in Syria. Extensively researched, and unflinching in its portrayal of the everyday realities of life in the regime, it stars Shavani Cameron (Homeland), Ryan McKen (Save Me), Sam Otto (Collateral) and Ony Uhiara (Law and Order) in the lead roles.
FNGCD’s growing Turkish drama catalogue gets a major injection with the launch of the big budget and impressive new 38 x 60 series City of Secrets (Kayıtdışı). Produced by Karga Seven, this is a thriller set in Istanbul and stars Erkan Petekkaya (Broken Pieces) as an undercover government agent looking to take down Turkey’s most dangerous crime lord. Family life is important to him too, but this all begins to crumble when he falls in love with the crime lord’s daughter. City of Secrets is joined by FOX Turkey’s first ever action adventure drama Warriors (Savaşçi) – announced as a 38 x 60 series at LA Screenings, it is now into production on a second 38 x 60 season. The Untold Truths (Deli Gönül, 30 x 60) tells of a couple torn apart by lies and Man Up (Şevkat Yerimdar), is a popular culture clash comedy already running at two 38 x 60 seasons.
From Latin America, FNGCD will be launching acerbic and topical comedy Run Coyote Run (13 x 60). A major ratings winner in Mexico, and with a second season commissioned ahead of its first transmission, Run Coyote Run tells of two childhood friends – one Mexican, one American – who launch a business smuggling people across the walled border into the US. One Against All (Um Contra Todos) comes to MIPCOM with two 8 x 60 seasons under its belt and a third commissioned. Nominated for a Golden Nymph Award at the 2017 Monte Carlo Television Festival it tells the story of a public defender who gets mistakenly arrested as a high profile drugs dealer. Based on a true story it follows his dramatically changing life, first in prison and then as a politician.
FNGCD also arrives in Cannes with a number of new formats. A relatively new area of the business, existing titles such as Brain Games are really starting to gain traction in the market, with localised version already produced in Spain, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia. For MIPCOM, Grilled is a 10 x 60 new competitive format that sees would-be food entrepreneurs battle it out in a variety of restaurants in a bid to win seed funding to start their own business. Design HQ is a 60’ hosted format from Condé Nast Productions that visits celebrity houses for transformation tips and makeover advice, with viewers encouraged to steal their style in simple, cost-effective ways. Finally Mygrations, a competitive adventure format from October Films, sees a ‘herd’ of humans follow the grueling six-week course of the annual wildebeest migration in Africa, undertaking a range of challenges before they reach the Mara River.
Connie Hodson, Fox Networks Group Content Distribution’s VP content and marketing comments: “I am incredibly excited to bring our slate to MIPCOM this year supported by some of the very best on and off screen talent. Mark Strong and fellow cast members from Deep State will be with us for the launch event, Peter Kosminsky and Sam Otto from The State, Martha Raddatz, who wrote The Long Road Home and its stars, including Michael Kelley, will join National Geographic CEO Courteney Monroe for the MIPCOM Keynote address and Actors Erkan Petekkaya, Songül Öden and Dolunay Soysert will also be with us for a launch event for City of Secrets. We are thrilled to be able to give our buyers the opportunity to meet the talent behind these outstanding shows”.
