London – FremantleMedia continues to build its roster of creative scripted partnerships with a new development deal with 87 Films. Formed by Dudi Appleton and Jim Keeble, one of the leading writing duos in the UK drama industry (Silent Witness, Thorne), and now joined by executive producer Patrick Irwin (The Fall, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell). 87 Films is one of the foremost creators of international drama of scale.

Under the new agreement, the companies will collaborate on ambitious scripted projects for the international market alongside FremantleMedia’s global in-house producers. 87 Films are currently developing dramas with the FremantleMedia’s Wildside in Italy, Kwai in France, Miso across Scandinavia and FremantleMedia North America in the US.

Sarah Doole, Director of Global Drama for FremantleMedia commented: “Jim and Dudi are a creative force that will be a tremendous addition to FremantleMedia. They have an exceptional vision for stories that tie perfectly into our ambitions for our drama business. This key relationship will bring their talents to our global network of producers.”

Dudi and Jim said: “Christian Vesper and Sarah Doole are hugely inspiring collaborators for us. We speak the same language. In an international television business that can seem increasingly corporate, they are passionate about great dramatic stories wherever they come from, wherever they lead. And telling those stories is what we do. Collaborating with FremantleMedia’s global producers, we are creating authentic new drama that breaks through traditional borders of culture, language and place.”

The agreement with 87 Films is the latest in FremantleMedia’s creative partnerships. Over the past few years, the company has invested in talented scripted creators including Miso Film, Abot Hameiri, Dancing Ledge, Fontaram, Kwai, Wildside, Bend It TV and Easy Tiger, and completed development deals with SLAM Films and Neil Gaiman.