Leading independent distributor All3Media International has signed deals in multiple territories for New Pictures’ latest thriller Protection, a new 6 x 1-hour drama set in the clandestine world of witness protection. Following its smash-hit UK debut on ITV and ITVX, the series has been widely acclaimed, with critics calling Protection ‘breathtaking’ (Radio Times) and ‘tense, twisty’ (iNews), with The Times praising Siobhan Finneran’s ‘magnificent’ lead performance which ‘fires on all cylinders’ (The Guardian).
Acquisitions of the series include a digital rights deal with BritBox for the US and English-speaking Canada. All3Media International has sold digital rights to Stan in Australia, TV rights to TVNZ in New Zealand, and DVD/Video rights to ABC for Australia and New Zealand. BBC Studios has picked up Protection in a pan-territory deal covering Asia, India and the Indian subcontinent, where the drama will be available on BBC First, its premium SVOD drama channel, and BBC Player, its multi-genre SVOD service.
Protection has also been acquired across the Nordic territories, including Denmark (DR), Norway (NRK), Iceland (RUV), Sweden (SVT) and Finland (YLE). Further TV rights deals include acquisitions in the Netherlands (NPO), Greece (Hellenic Telecommunications), Israel (Hot and Yes TV) and Eire (Virgin Media), while Dazzler Media has signed DVD/Video rights for the UK and Eire.
Protection stars Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley, Time) in the leading role, alongside Nadine Marshall (Champion, Trigger Point) and Katherine Kelly (Black Ops, The Long Shadow). Written by acclaimed screenwriter Kris Mrksa (White House Farm, Requiem) and produced by the multi-award-winning New Pictures (Des, The Missing), part of All3Media, Protection was commissioned by ITV in the UK. The drama is produced in association with All3Media International, which has exclusive worldwide distribution rights.
Maartje Horchner, EVP Content at All3Media International commented, “This powerful, female-led story takes us into an intriguing world we rarely hear about, exploring the moral dilemmas that come up when protecting people who may be criminals themselves. Having already achieved great success in taking New Pictures’ productions around the world, with their acclaimed crime drama The Long Shadow acquired in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, we’re delighted to see buyers snapping up another premium drama from this incredibly talented team. With such a wide range of deals already signed, Protection’s thrilling, twist-laden plot will soon be gripping viewers across the globe.”
Witness protection is often glamorised as keeping innocent witnesses safe from harm, but the truth is darker, murkier and far more complex. Many protected people are themselves criminals. It’s a life of moral compromise. It also involves maximum secrecy, false identities, and a world where you can’t trust your own colleagues.
Inspired by the first-hand experiences of a long-serving witness protection officer, Protection is about what happens when the system breaks down. It’s about a police officer, Detective Inspector Liz Nyles (Siobhan Finneran), who finds herself at the heart of such a breach, personally compromised by an affair with a colleague, but determined to fight back and uncover the true source of corruption within her unit – to redeem herself, the reputation of her lover, and to keep her witnesses safe.
Navigating the morally grey, clandestine world of witness protection, Liz’s mission to find the truth will take her deep into the heart of the criminal underbelly and beyond as she becomes more and more torn between caring for her family, her loyalty to her lover and her duty as a police officer. This is the story of a smart, tough cop, out of her depth in a world where nothing is as it seems.
With a deft narrative that engages from the outset, Kris Mrksa creates suspenseful twists and with every hairpin turn perfectly navigates the story to ensure the audience won’t know who to believe and who is telling the truth.
Protection is inspired by an idea by a witness protection specialist who served in the Met for 30 years. During his time, he looked after a number of high-profile cases and informants, including war criminals, terrorists and criminals of all kinds.
Additional casting includes Barry Ward (Bad Sisters), Chaneil Kular (Sex Education), David Hayman (Sid and Nancy), Nichola Burley (The Gold) and Akiya Henry (Silent Witness).
New Pictures Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Willow Grylls (Des, The Missing, The Long Shadow) and Charlie Hampton (The Spanish Princess, The Deceived) are executive producers alongside Elaine Pyke and Kris Mrksa. The series is produced by Rebecca Davies (Cobra), line produced by Tracy Chapman (Cobra), and directed by Simen Alsvik (Fenris, The Nest, Neste sommer) and Sasha Ransome (Cobra, McDonald & Dodds). Writers are Kris Mrksa (Episodes 1, 3 and 6), Polly Buckle (Episodes 2 and 4) and Giula Sandler (Episode 5).
