In its 43rd year and the first under the Studios banner, BBC Studios Showcase brings together an impressive array of factual entertainment, drama series, comedy programmes and more for the global TV industry.
Sir David Attenborough, Professor Brian Cox, Riz Ahmed, Toby Jones and the new Top Gear presenters are some of the talent that will be heading to BBC Studios Showcase 2019 in Liverpool from 17 20 February. The annual event, the worlds largest international TV market hosted by a single distributor, will premiere 440 hours of brand new content as well as feature masterclasses, co-production forums and specially curated sessions. BroadcastPro will be there to cover the highlights.
TV buyers will get to hear from creatives pitching their latest projects at the very earliest stage. On- and off-screen talent, independent British producers and top BBC executives will all be on hand to present a wide and diverse range of top-quality content.
Speaking about the Showcase, Paul Dempsey, President Global Markets, BBC Studios said: Once again, well be welcoming customers and partners from around the world, including one of the biggest delegations from China, to Liverpools ACC. With this being our first Showcase as a joined-up production and distribution company, this year will be unlike any other as we bring together the best current and emerging producers, creators and pioneers across the industry with a unique and tailored programme of events.
Sir David Attenborough will launch the new series One Planet: Seven Worlds from the BBC Studios Natural History Unit and Professor Brian Cox will present the Science landmark The Planets. Other titles on the factual slate include Serengeti, from XIX Entertainment and John Downer Productions, Wild Metropolis, First Year on Earth, Earth from Space, David Bowie: Finding Fame, The Iraq War (KEO Films) and Icons (72 Films).
The new Top Gear trio, Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris will attend the Factual Entertainment premiere, where buyers will see exclusive footage and hear all about the thrills and spills of filming Series 27.
Academy Award-winning writer and director, Steve McQueen CBE, brings his first British television project to Showcase. Speaking to buyers from overseas, via satellite, he will reveal the inspiration behind his six-part anthology.
Emmy-winning actor, director, writer, MC and activist Riz Ahmed will take to the stage in a special session to discuss his career and new passion project, Englistan while the Good Omens masterclass will feature writer Neil Gaiman, via satellite link, along with Director Douglas McKinnon and Executive Producers Rob Wilkins and Chris Sussman.
Crime Pays and Bold Stories are two drama sessions lined up for Showcase 2019. As Crime drama continues to dominate global schedules, this bespoke session will see the lead actors from The Mallorca Files (Cosmopolitan Pictures/Clerkenwell Films), Julian Looman and Elen Rhys, reveal all on this new series featuring a German and British detective who have very different approaches to policing.
Explosive new dramas are on the menu for Bold Stories. Rising star Charly Clive joins young writer Kirstie Swain to discuss Pure (Drama Republic) a bold take on modern relationships. BBC Studios drama slate also includes Sanditon (A Red Planet Pictures and Masterpiece Theatre co-production), Summer of Rockets (Little Island Productions), Brexit: An Uncivil War (House Productions) and MotherFatherSon.
The comedy premiere will introduce a host of talent. Buyers will hear from Dont Forget the Drivers (A Sister Pictures and Hootenanny production) co-creators Tim Crouch and Toby Jones who also stars in this dark comedy. Dead Pixels (Various Artists Limited), from the creators of The Peep Show, will be presented by actors Alexa Davies and Will Merrick and Executive Producer Phil Clarke, while the panel for Ghosts (Monumental Television) will feature co-creators Mat Baynton and Simon Farnaby as well as actress Charlotte Ritchie, with all three starring in the six-part comedy.
In its 43rd year and the first under the Studios banner, BBC Studios Showcase brings together an impressive array of programmes for the global TV industry. BBC Studios is the largest distributor of TV content outside of the US and sells programmes as well as secures financing on behalf of the BBC and UK independent producers.
