Global content creator, producer and distributor Endemol Shine Group announced the development of a major high-end production for the international market.
Shekhar Kapur, the award-winning film director behind Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age as well as Bollywood smash hits Mr. India, Masoom and Bandit Queen has signed a deal with Endemol Shine Group to bring to life the trilogy of best-selling novels by acclaimed author Amitav Ghosh.
Ghosh’s masterpiece, which begins with Sea of Poppies, continues with River of Smoke and concludes with Flood of Fire, has already achieved classic status and is seen as a landmark of twenty-first century literature.
The agreement also brings together Endemol Shine Group companies, Artists Studio (The Fall) and Endemol Shine India (Test Case) who will produce the drama in partnership with TV packaging consultancy service DoveTale Media who initially acquired the rights to the books.
Justin Pollard, whose credits include the blockbuster ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise as well as hit television series Vikings and The Tudors, is on board as Historical Consultant and Story Editor. Set in mid-nineteenth century Asia, the series will interweave the lives of vividly drawn characters against the backdrop of the opium wars between Britain, India and China. The team is in the process of lining up a lead writer.
Lars Blomgren was appointed Head of Scripted EMEA in 2018 and is charged with enhancing Endemol Shine Group’s premium offering through increased collaboration, shared investment and opportunities across the Group.
Last year Endemol Shine Group’s unparalleled network of award-winning scripted producers and companies across markets in Europe, Middle East and Asia were responsible for 50 non-English language productions.
Recent and forthcoming series include Norway’s Beforeigners (HBO Europe), Sweden’s Beartown (HBO Europe), The Idhun Memories (Netflix), Cathedral of the Sea (Antena 3/ TV3/ Netflix) and Matadero (Antena 3) from Spain, The Oldenheim Twelve (RTL4) and Lois (NPO1) from the Netherlands, Germany’s Dark (Netflix) and Pagan Peak (Sky Deutschland), France’s Insoupconnable (TF1) and Guyanne (Canal+), Italy’s While I Was Away (Rai Uno) and Queens (Hot) and Just for Today (Yes) from Israel.
