Channel 4 acquires romantic adventure series, Camelot

31 March 2011

 

Camelot

From Academy Award Winning producer Graham King and the producers of The Tudors comes the timeless and powerful legendary tale of King Arthur

The series is led by an amazing ensemble cast that includes Jamie Campbell Bower as Arthur, Joseph Fiennes as the wizard Merlin, Eva Green in her television debut as Morgana, and Tamsin Egerton as Guinevere.

Channel 4 has secured the UK premiere broadcast rights to Camelot, a wholly original approach to the timeless Arthurian legend, from the creative team behind landmark series The Tudors, Life on Mars and Torchwood, as well as critically acclaimed film The Departed and originated by Academy Award® nominated Ecosse Films (Mrs. Brown, Becoming Jane, Nowhere Boy).  Channel 4 plans to air the 10-episode series in 2011.  The deal was brokered for Channel 4 by Acting Head of Acquisitions, Penny Harris and GK-tv President Craig Cegielski.

Camelot will be based on Thomas Malory's 15th century book, Le Morte d'Arthur - still considered the definitive work on the subject. But that's only a starting point; Camelot will weave authenticity into a modern telling of the Arthur legends that is relatable to contemporary audiences.

Camelot is a co-production between the Irish production company Octagon and Take 5 Productions in Canada, and is Executive Produced by Ecosse Films' Douglass Rae, Academy Award® winning producer Graham King (The Departed, Gangs of New York), Tim Headington and Craig Cegielski.  Additional Executive Producers include Morgan O'Sullivan (The Count of Monte Cristo, The Tudors) and James Flynn of the Irish production company Octagon and Michael Hirst (The Tudors).  The series is written by Chris Chibnall (Life on Mars, Torchwood).  John Webber from Take 5 Productions will serve as the Canadian producer.

The series is currently in production, in Ireland, with post-production to be completed in Canada. Starz has all US rights - including home entertainment and digital distribution - to Camelot; GK-TV will handle the rest of the world. In addition to Channel 4 in the UK, Camelot has been sold to RTL (Netherlands), DBS (Israel) and Sony AXN (Pan-Asia).  GK-tv has additionally sold all rights in numerous other territories and regions including; France, Germany, Russia & CIS, Pan Eastern Europe, Pan Latin America, and Pan Middle East.

The Irish-Canadian Co-Production is set to air in 2011 on Starz in the US and Channel 4 in the UK.