‘Picnic at Hanging Rock.’
The BBC has secured the UK rights to FremantleMedia Australia’s six-part ‘reimagining’ of Picnic at Hanging Rock.
Originally commissioned by Foxtel, this is a third key sale for the series following acquisitions by Amazon Prime Video in the US and France’s Canal+.
According to Variety, the Beeb is yet to declare whether the series will play on BBC1 or BBC2.
BBC head of programme acquisition Sue Deeks said: “It is with great pleasure that we confirm the BBC as the UK home for this new, fresh take on Picnic at Hanging Rock. The combination of creative team and cast – led by one of Britain’s most exciting actors Natalie Dormer – will make for a must see series for both fans of the classic novel and those coming to this wonderful story for the first time.”
FremantleMedia International EVP head of sales and distribution Jamie Lynn said: “With its globally renowned reputation for quality and the opportunity for this ground-breaking series reach a deservedly wide UK audience, we are very excited to partner with the BBC for Picnic at Hanging Rock.
“This reimagining of the classic Joan Lindsay novel is modern, mysterious, completely gripping and visually spectacular. We’re confident it will have real impact with viewers and is sure be one 2018’s most talked about shows.”
The series, which revolves around the mysterious disappearances of three schoolgirls and one teacher on Valentine’s Day 1900, stars Dormer alongside Yael Stone (Orange is the New Black, Deep Water), French actress Lola Bessis (Cassandra, Swim Little Fish Swim), Anna McGahan (The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Anzac Girls) and Sibylla Budd (Tomorrow When The War Began, Winners & Losers).
The schoolgirls are played a host of rising talent including Lily Sullivan (Romper Stomper, Jungle), Madeleine Madden (Tomorrow When The War Began, High Life), Samara Weaving (Monster Trucks, The Babysitter), Ruby Rees (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries) and newcomer Inez Curro.
Produced by Brett Popplewell, the series is directed by Canadian Larysa Kondracki and Aussies Michael Rymer and Amanda Brotchie. The script producer and establishing writer was Beatrix Christian, and writer Alice Addison.
Picnic at Hanging Rock will have its world premiere on Foxtel in 2018.