[Submitted via press release]
FOX INTERNATIONAL CHANNELS PICKS UP
DAVID GOYER'S DA VINCI'S DEMONS
THE SHOW SET TO LAUNCH IN 120 FOX INTERNATIONAL CHANNELS'
TERRITORIES IN EARLY 2013
FOX International Channels (FIC) and BBC Worldwide have announced a partnership on Starz & BBC Worldwide's latest co-production, the historical fantasy series Da Vinci's Demons.
Earlier this year, Starz announced a straight to series order of 8 episodes for the show.
Under the terms of the deal, FIC will be the exclusive first window pay-TV broadcaster of Da Vinci's Demons in FIC territories outside of the U.S and Canada, for which Starz retains the rights.
Da Vinci's Demons will roll-out across FIC's portfolio of 200 pay-TV entertainment channels to audiences in 120 countries in Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa in early 2013.
It will air in South Africa on Fox Entetainment on TopTV.
Written by David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), Da Vinci's Demons follows the 'untold' story of one the world's greatest geniuses during his turbulent youth in Renaissance Florence.
Brilliant and passionate, the 25-year old Da Vinci is an artist, inventor, swordsman, lover, dreamer and idealist. As a free thinker, with intellect and talents that are almost superhuman, he struggles to live within the confines of his own reality and time. He begins not only to see the future, but to invent it.
Sharon Tal Yguado, SVP of Scripted Programming at FIC said: "Following the incredible success we've had with The Walking Dead we were looking for a tentpole series that would be different in tone and story but equally powerful with audiences worldwide.
"Goyer's vision of one of history's most enigmatic characters knocked us off our feet. We are convinced Da Vinci's Demons is a real game changer in the world of period dramas."
Added Steve Macallister, President & Managing Director Sales & Distribution, BBC Worldwide: "This is a bold and ambitious show from Starz and Jane Tranter's team which will sit really well with the range of great dramas currently available on FIC's channels.
"This production is particularly unique and should generate huge amounts of audience buzz. We're thrilled to be taking Da Vinci right across the globe, which seems very appropriate for arguably the world's most renowned polymath."
Jason Simms, FIC's SVP of Global Acquisitions: "FIC has a long and successful track record in spearheading multi-territory and global programming initiatives, from Dexter to The Walking Dead to Touch. We are delighted to partner with BBC Worldwide on this prestigious, ambitious and exciting new series".
David S. Goyer, co-writer of blockbuster and critically-acclaimed films Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, and writer of the upcoming Man of Steel, is showrunner.
Julie Gardner (Doctor Who, Life on Mars) is Executive Producer, along with Jane Tranter (Little Dorrit, State of Play).
Da Vinci will be played by Tom Riley (Monroe, Bouquet of Barbed Wire) and fellow British actress Laura Haddock (Upstairs Downstairs) will play Lucrezia Donati, the mistress of Lorenzo Medici and lover of Leonardo da Vinci.
Production is currently underway in Wales. BBC Worldwide retains all other rights outside the US, Canada and FIC territories.
A first look teaser: