18th Jun 2007 07:00
Embargoed; 0700hrs, 18 June 2007
DCD Media plc ("DCD Media" or the "Company") Major New TV Production
DCD Media plc, the arts, entertainment and drama television production and distribution group, is pleased to announce that ITV1 has commissioned a major production to be produced by wholly owned drama subsidiary Box TV.
Entitled `Affinity', the two hour film is an adaptation, by Andrew Davies, of the novel of the same name by Sarah Waters. This project has an estimated turnover in excess of ‚£2 million and is produced by Adrian Bate, who joined Box TV in October 2006, in anticipation of an increase in its drama production activity. The international rights for the production, for all forms of media, will be exploited by DCD Media's in-house distributor NBDtv, as with other Box TV projects.
The winning of this commission means that Box TV has already been contracted to produce double the hours of drama so far in 2007 than it did in the 12 months of calendar year 2006.
`Affinity' is the third of Sarah Waters' novels to be adapted for television: the first, `Tipping the Velvet', won popular and critical attention for its depiction of sex, seduction, heartache and growing up, a subject she returned to in `Fingersmith'. `Affinity' is an affecting and erotic love story with a supernatural twist which explores the Victorian fascination with spiritualism. The characters find themselves dabbling in the twilight world of sĩances, shadows, unruly spirits and unseemly passions. Andrew Davies is Britain's best-known adaptor of novels for television, with a long list of credits including `Pride and Prejudice', `Bleak House' and 'Doctor Zhivago'.
DCD Media Chief Executive, Chris Hunt, commented,
"We are delighted with this new commission for Box TV, which demonstrates ITV's high regard for our producers. It is Adrian Bate's first commission since joining us and supports our view that we could double output and turnover by hiring a second creative executive. Box TV's ability to attract talent of the highest calibre, in this case Sarah Waters and Andrew Davies, is a keystone in its ongoing success and value for shareholders."
Laura Mackie, Director of Drama ITV, added,
"I'm delighted that Box TV is making Andrew Davies' adaptation of 'Affinity' for ITV1. Set in and around a women's prison at Millbank in the 1870s, Sarah Waters' brilliant novel 'Affinity' is an utterly compelling ghost story, an intriguing literary mystery and a poignant love story with an unexpected sting in the tail."
DCD Media is also pleased to announce that 'Bon Voyage', Box TV's previous production for ITV1 which broadcast in October 2006, was awarded the Gold Nymph for Best Mini Series at the Monte Carlo Television Festival last week.
For further information please contact,
Chris Hunt, Chief ExecutiveDCD Media PlcTel. 020 7297 8000Ben SimonsHansard GroupTel. 020 7245 1100
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