Leading independent distributor All3Media International is expanding its portfolio of FAST channels with the launch of original new FAST channel Demand Drama, which will be available in the UK from April.
Answering the continued demand for free-to-watch premium drama content, Demand Drama brings audiences a diverse variety of acclaimed titles from All3Media International’s extensive scripted catalogue. The schedule mixes ‘cosy crime’ dramas and gripping crime thrillers with beloved family-friendly favourites, landmark dramas and addictive soaps. The channel will also offer regular themed days, with the launch month schedule featuring a weekly ‘Crime Sundays’.
Featuring on the launch line-up are ‘cosy crime’ series Rose and Maloney starring Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley) and acclaimed, award-winning crime thriller such as Jimmy McGovern’s anthology series Accused, led by a star-studded cast including Sean Bean, Christopher Eccleston, Olivia Colman, Juliet Stevenson, Sheridan Smith and Anne-Marie Duff. Also featuring on the crime drama slate is crime doyen Lynda La Plante’s Above Suspicion, led by Ciarán Hinds and Kelly Reilly and the Royal Television Society and BAFTA award-winning Trial & Retribution, starring David Hayman, Iain Glen, Kate Buffery and Simon Callow will be available. Cult favourite SAS action-drama Ultimate Force led by Ross Kemp adds some muscle to the schedule and for those looking for more heart-warming fare, Wild at Heart brings some family charm to the schedule as Amanda Holden and Stephen Tomkinson begin a new life in the African bush. Hayley Mills and Nomsa Xaba, Thapelo Mokoena and Deon Stewardson guest star. Seasons 1 to 3 of mega youth hit Skins, which launched a raft of careers both on screen and behind the scenes including Dev Patel, Daniel Kaluuya, Nicholas Hoult, Kaya Scodelario and writer Jack Thorne will also be available on the service.
Demand Drama will also showcase the best of global English-speaking drama – with the long -running, multi-award-winning, amusing dysfunctional family drama, Outrageous Fortune, featuring New Zealand’s acclaimed actress Robyn Malcolm (After the Party). For light-hearted escapism there is charming, comedy drama Go Girls about friendship and life near the beach, and Mean Mums, the New Zealand based family friendly sitcom following the misadventures of an unlikely gang of misfit mums navigating fundraising, parenting and friendship. Celebrated Irish soap Red Rock will also be available. The acclaimed series follows the lives of officers at the busy local police station in the fictional Irish seaside town of Red Rock. It’s a brilliantly written drama with multidimensional characters, which garnered a raft of awards also stars Richard Flood, Sean Mahon and Cathy Belton.
Gary Woolf, EVP Strategic Development at All3Media International, commented, “We’re thrilled to launch Demand Drama, initially in the UK, and it’s a brand we will evolve as we look at additional markets. The channel brings award-winning, celebrated drama from our catalogue to the FAST space and our carefully scheduled approach means we can zone the dayparts to match shows to appropriate audiences.”
