News

Body horror continues its hot streak, as Deadline reports today that “Salem” star Janet Montgomery has been set to lead the sci-fi body horror feature Symbiosis.

Mark Heller (The Passage) directs from a screenplay by Stephen James Thompson.

In Symbiosis, “a husband-and-wife team are working over Christmas as the only two people who can save humanity from an alien parasite — tiny tapeworm creatures which have invaded the bodies of the human race. Isolated and suffocating under the weight of their circumstances, the fault lines of the married couple’s relationship are exposed.”

Just the mention of tapeworms is enough to get the gag reflex warmed up.

Janet Montgomery said of the project, “When I read Symbiosis, I knew I had to be part of this unique story. The intimate exploration of a relationship on the brink set in a dystopian world makes the role of Yulia such a fascinating and complex human story.

Exclusive: British actress Janet Montgomery, known for her starring roles in U.S. series New Amsterdam and Salem, and roles in movies including Darren Aronofsky’s Oscar winner Black Swan, is set to star in sci-fi body horror Symbiosis.

UK indie 1185, which recently produced Sitges and FrightFest horror All You Need Is Death, will be talking to buyers about the project at this week’s European Film Market in Berlin ahead of an April start for the movie.

Directed by Mark Heller (The Passage), screenplay is written by Stephen James Thompson, who joined the 1185 Films stable in 2023 as its development consultant to head up the film and TV slate. Co-producing is 1185 Films founder Nick Franco (All You Need is Death), with founder of New Page Entertainment and former CEO of BlackBox Multimedia, Giuliano Papadia (The Serial Killer’s Wife). Gareth Jones (Boiling Point) is also on board as executive producer.

Exclusive: Secuoya Studios is stepping into the UK. The Spanish powerhouse has inked a first-look development and production deal with The Castaways and This Time Next Year producer BlackBox Multimedia.

Under the deal, the two companies will join forces to co-produce premium series for the UK and Spanish markets at Secuoya Group’s facilities Madrid Content City in Tres Cantos, Spain.

The move marks the first time the Spanish studio is entering the UK market and is part of Secuoya Group’s larger strategy to produce more English-language content. At the Iberseries & Platino Industria confab in October, Secuoya Studios announced a global expansion plan to produce 30% of the studio’s content catalog in languages other than Spanish language, enabling the studio and its partners to develop multiple projects in parallel in different markets and language.

London-based BlackBox Multimedia, which was founded by former Lionsgate UK COO Guy Avshalom, has developed...

Channel 5 is doubling down on post-Christmas escapism with the premiere of “The Serial Killer’s Wife,” a four-part thriller that asks the age-old question: how well do you really know your spouse? Annabel Scholey and Jack Farthing star as Beth and Tom Fairchild, a seemingly idyllic couple whose world implodes when Tom, a respected doctor, […]

The Serial Killer’s Wife: New Channel 5 Drama Explores a Marriage Built on Secrets...

‘Tinder Swindler’ Indie Builds Features Team

All3Media’s Raw, the company behind The Tinder Swindler, Three Identical Strangers and upcoming Amazon MGM Studios doc Crime 101, has hired Sam Gordon as producer/executive producer for its features team. Gordon is an experienced film and TV producer, with spells at Baby Cow, Calamity Films and BBC Films on his CV. Most recently, he was a development producer for Brouhaha Entertainment, where he worked on Firebrand and co-produced Karim Ainouz’s Motel Destino, which launched in Official Competition at Cannes this year. He also worked on Philomena and Stan & Ollie while at Baby Cow. At Raw, he’ll report into Cco Dimitri Doganis and CEO Joely Father, working with filmmakers Bart Layton and Tim Wardle, as well as Head of Scripted TV Sara Murray and other senior creative execs. Raw’s features to date have included American Animals, Three Identical Strangers, The Imposter,...

BlackBox Multimedia will adapt Jeffrey Archer‘s crime thriller novel Nothing Ventured for television, The Hollywood Reporter can exclusively reveal.

Nothing Ventured (2019), the first book in best-selling British novelist’s famed William Warwick series, sees the character through his time as a detective in the art squad as his career moves through drugs, murder, royal protection, Olympic Games security, and finally, counter-terrorism.

The millionaire author, known for stories such as Kane and Abel – a trilogy being developed in collaboration with Eleven and Sony Television International, as was recently announced – and the Clifton Chronicles, has sold more than 275 million copies of his books worldwide and topped the Sunday Times bestseller list 27 times.

BlackBox Multimedia, known for its popular Paramount+ drama series The Serial Killer’s Wife, The Castaways and The Ex-Wife, will adapt Archer’s thrilling story for the screen.

“I can’t wait to see William Warwick on the screen and...

Studio Soho Distribution has announced the UK and Irish release date of the 19th of July for the British movie ‘Chuck Chuck Baby’ alongside its new poster.

Set in present-day industrial North Wales, Helen spends her nights packing chickens and her days caring for a dying mother-figure Gwen. Helen’s world takes an unexpected turn with the return of Joanne. Twenty years ago, they were the objects of the other’s unspoken teenage passions. One night, Helen encourages Joanne to start a playful wooing game that re-awakens their youthful feelings.

As they fall in love and lust, Helen’s zest for life returns but Joanne feels the walls closing in as she faces something much darker from her past. Helen’s world is shattered when Gwen dies and Joanne’s painful memories cause her to flee. Separated and alone, will both women reflect on their unfulfilled chance to break their...

Exclusive: Signature Entertainment has acquired the UK and Irish rights to British romantic-comedy This Time Next Year, starring Sophie Cookson (Kingsman: The Secret Service) and Lucien Laviscount (Emily in Paris).

The movie revolves around Minnie and Quinn, who while together at a New Year’s Eve party quickly realize they share a connection – they were born on New Year’s Day of the same year, in the same London hospital, one minute apart. Minnie grew up convinced that the mysterious Quinn – born first – stole the name her mother planned for her, and with it all her luck, setting her on a path of misfortune. Horrified at the misunderstanding, Quinn is set on making amends.

Also starring are John Hannah (Four Weddings and a Funeral), Golda Rosheuvel (Bridgerton), Monica Dolan (Cyrano), Mandip Gill (Doctor Who) and Anita Dobson (Eastenders).

Signature will release on June 3 of this year. The deal was negotiated...

Priyanka Chopra-Produced Doc Debuting On Prime Video India

Women of My Billion (Womb), a documentary about the forms of violence faced by women in India, will premiere exclusively on Prime Video India on May 3. Produced by Apoorva Bakshi and Monisha Thyagarajan’s Awedacious Originals in association with Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ Purple Pebble Pictures, the documentary follows protagonist Srishti Bakshi on a walking pilgrimage across India – spanning 3,800 km over 240 days – to talk to women from various backgrounds about their struggles and dreams. “Women have borne the brunt of gender bias for far too long, enduring a silent struggle against entrenched social injustices that seek to suppress their voices. With Womb, the aim is to transcend these struggles – to be a beacon of hope,” said Chopra Jonas, Producer at Purple Pebble Pictures. “Womb is not merely a depiction of pain and suffering, but a rallying cry and call for solidarity and action.

Cara Delevingne is taking on a big role for her West End debut. She will play Sally Bowles in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club.

She will replace rapper and performer Self Esteem (aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor), who is set to play her final performance on March 9.

“There are no words to explain the excitement I have to return home to make my stage debut in such an iconic role. I am so inspired by the brilliant actors who have played Sally in past productions around the world and in this one in the West End. I cannot wait to be a part of this brilliant cast and production.”

Joining her is Luke Treadaway, who will replace Scissor Sisters singer Jake Shears as the Emcee.

The pair will join Michael Ahomka-Lindsay, who plays Cliff Bradshaw in the production Beverley Klein (Fraulein Schneider) and Teddy Kempner (Herr Schultz). Nic Myers plays...

Exclusive: Paramount+ has yanked a raft of international originals from its service along with several big-ticket acquired series.

Numerous English-language originals disappeared overnight last week, as the U.S. conglom’s strategy shift towards more Hollywood-style content and lower costs played out in real time. Other series that had been tipped for second seasons will not return.

Subscribers were left perplexed as shows vanished, and voiced bewilderment and frustration on X and elsewhere online. The removed shows have been taken off the streaming service in all territories.

Samantha Morton-starrer The Burning Girls and One Night, the Australia-set drama with Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker, have disappeared from the streamer. Likewise, Eleventh Hour Films-produced The Killing Kind, based on the book of the same name, and thriller The Serial Killer’s Wife, have been pulled.

The Doll Factory, the adaptation of the bestselling novel from Marcella producer Buccaneer, has also come down.

Saudi’s Joy Awards Honors Anthony Hopkins, Kevin Costner & More

The likes of Anthony Hopkins, Kevin Costner and Mark Wahlberg were honored at Saudi Arabia’s Joy Awards 2024 on Saturday. Jean Reno, Eva Longoria, Salman Khan, Martin Lawrence, Quincy Jones, Alia Bhatt, Georgina Rodriguez, Anthony Anderson, Sam Worthington and Paul Anderson were also either celebrated or in attendance in Riyadh, along with the likes directors Zach Schneider and Doug Liman, and global sports stars Tyson Fury, John Cena and Francis Ngannou. The awards are part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 program and recognize major names in music, cinema, television, sports, and more from the Arab world. Hopkins, Costner and Jones were among several recipients of Lifetime Achievement honors, while industry awards went to Bollywood star Bhatt, Schneider and Bad Boys actor Martin Lawrence among others. Mbc Group, the Middle East’s largest broadcast and media firm, co-hosts the awards, which...

Exclusive: Paramount+’s The Ex-Wife and Castaways producer BlackBox MultiMedia has landed its latest development, a TV version of Caro Carver’s upcoming psychological thriller Bad Tourists.

Set against a luxurious Maldives backdrop, Bad Tourists follows Darcy, Camilla, and Kate as they embark on what’s expected to be the holiday of a lifetime. Intertwined by their tragic past, the story follows the characters’ desperate search for justice on a remote, exotic island, becoming a story of vengeance and mystery.

The novel will be released in July this year but BlackBox has already got its hands on the option, with further details incoming on writers and casting. No network is attached as of yet.

“There are so many layers to Caro’s writing and the protagonists of her story, which makes Bad Tourists ripe for TV adaptation,” said BlackBox CEO Giuliano Papadia. “With relatable but complex female leads, Caro brilliantly...

Paramount+ series, The Serial Killer’s Wife, introduced the audience to Beth’s dysfunctional friend circle and family, with a serial killer and a pinch of vengeance in the mix. The four-episode series chronicles the story of Beth, whose seemingly perfect life takes a wrong turn when her charming and wealthy husband, whom she loved with all her heart, gets arrested by the cops. Tom Fairchild was taken into custody on suspicion of the murder of Katy Asquith, his ex-colleague. Tom was also told that he was also a possible suspect in the disappearance of Alison Mayhew. The case was looking strong, as the cops had found a ring with Tom’s initials on it near Katy’s cold body. However, Beth always believed that Tom had nothing to do with Kathy’s death, but unfortunately, her bubble soon brust, and she realized that her husband was no saint. It was...

Annabel Scholey & Angela Griffin are interviewed for The Serial Killer’s Wife. Annabel Scholey leads as Beth, along with Jack Farthing, Luke Treadaway, Angela Griffin, Julie Graham, Shobna Gulati, Hari Dhillon, Morgana Robinson.

The series will be released on Paramount+ on the 15th of December, 2023. Linda Marric asks the questions.

The Serial Killer’s Wife Cast Interviews

Plot:

The Serial Killer’s Wife is set in a picturesque English village, and begins with Beth Fairchild (Annabel Scholey) preparing a surprise birthday party for her husband Tom (Jack Farthing), who is the much-loved local Gp. However, the celebrations come to an abrupt end when the police arrive and, in front of most of the village, arrest Tom for the murder of his former assistant. Outraged, Beth is convinced of her husband’s innocence but she soon makes some shocking discoveries that make her question her judgment. As she confides in Tom’s best friend,...

Exclusive: Julianne Nicholson (Mare of Easttown) and Eliza Scanlen (Sharp Objects) have landed the lead roles in the BBC’s upcoming crime drama series Dope Girls, we can reveal.

Umi Myers, Eilidh Fisher and Geraldine James have also landed major parts in the series, which we first told you about back in March. At the time, our sources said the BBC sees Dope Girls as a spiritual successor to Peaky Blinders, which ended last year.

Filming on the show, which is set in London’s Soho in the early 20th century, when female gangs ran the clubs, drugs and moonshine, is now underway. It will launch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and comes from Polly Stenham and Alex Warren (Eleanor).

Nicholson will play Kate Galloway, a single mother who establishes a nightclub amidst the hedonistic uproar of post-World War One London, embracing a life...

Unveiling a raft of international shows at Mipcom, Newen Connect’s managing director Rodolphe Buet said the distribution arm of the TF1-owned company is seeing its business model go through “drastic changes” as it now plays a more central role in financing content.

In the next two years, Buet said roughly 70% of Newen Connect’s revenues will stem from content it pre-finances and/or co-produces, rather than licensing deals.

“We use to be gap deficit-ers, bringing minimum guarantees against rights for international. We’re now at the center of the equation, co-producing or co-financing to speed up the process of production,” said Buet, citing collaborations with in-house and third-party producers, alongside ongoing partnerships with TF1, Sweden’s TV4 and CMore, Germany’s Zdf and Amazon, among others.

Buet says partners have become “extremely conservative” in recent years and are on the lookout for existing IPs to limit risk. New players,...

Exclusive: Fox Entertainment has struck a first-of-its-kind drama development deal with a trio of production companies, Walter Iuzzolino’s Eagle Eye, The Serial Killer’s Wife producer Clapperboard and Newen Studios label Aux Singuliers.

Fox Scripted Programming President Michael Thorn said the U.S. network and UK producers will “identify and implement entirely new production models,” while similar discussions are taking place with producers and studios in Europe, Australia and Canada.

With Clapperboard and Aux Singuliers, Fox is working on Dead Space [working title] from Young Wallander scribe Ben Harris.

Grounded in the reality of the current space race, the series attempts to redefine the traditional police procedural as it explores the complex moral, political and real legal machinations after a murder is committed aboard the International Space Station. It follows in the footsteps of the BBC’s Vigil, which took a similar approach to a murder mystery on a Navy submarine.

Paramount+ is making a UK TV drama about a woman whose butter-wouldn’t-melt husband is arrested for the murder of his former assistant, while the streamer has entered production on French series …

The Serial Killer’s Wife will star Annabel Scholey, Jack Farthing and Luke Treadaway. Set in an idyllic English town, Beth Fairchild has prepared a surprise birthday party for her husband Tom (Farthing: Rain Dogs). With most of the village present as Tom is the beloved local doctor, Beth’s world is turned upside down when the party is interrupted by the police and Tom is arrested for murder. Beth believes her husband has been wrongly accused but she soon makes some shocking discoveries that cast doubt on his innocence, and she confides her worries in Adam, (Treadaway), Luke’s best friend from childhood.

Produced by Clapperboard Studios and BlackBox Multimedia, The Serial Killer’s Wife...