International distributor Eccho Rights has completed a string of deals for upcoming Channel Five drama series, Desperate Measures. Produced by Clapperboard, the action thriller is set for premiere in Q1 2023 in the UK, and has now been picked up by a number of broadcasters around the world.

SBS have acquired the series for Australia, TVNZ in New Zealand, while in Europe, Virgin Media Television Ireland, TV4 in Sweden and MTV3 in Finland have all licensed the 4-part show.

Starring Amanda Abbington (Sherlock, Mr Selfridge) as Rowan, a diligent, hardworking single mother who turns to a daring heist in an attempt to save her son from a local drug lord, the series has struck a chord with international buyers.

“Though the lengths to which Rowan goes are quite extraordinary, this is a story of a mother doing whatever it takes to protect her son; a truly universal theme that audiences anywhere can relate to,” says Lucy Roberts, Director of Sales, Western Europe at Eccho Rights.

Alongside Abington, Desperate Measures stars Warren Brown (The Responder, Trigger Point) Sunetra Sarker (Casualty, Ackley Bridge) and Francis Magee (Game of Thrones). The series is directed by Anthony Philipson (Our Girl), produced by Helen Ostler (The Last Kingdom), and Mike Benson and Julie Ryan are executive producers for Clapperboard. For Eccho Rights, Adam Barth and recently retired co-founder Nicola Söderlund also serve as executive producers.