SundanceTV is importing some dramas from across the pond. Recently, the network announced UK TV shows Riviera and Rillington Place are coming to the streaming service Sundance Now.
A thriller, Riviera stars Julia Stiles as Georgina, a newly married woman who discovers the criminal secrets behind her husband’s billionaire fortune. The cast also includes Lena Olin, Adrian Lester, Iwan Rheon, Anthony LaPaglia, and Phil Davis. Riviera launches on Sundance Now on September 14th.
Meanwhile, Rillington Place “is based on the real-life multiple murders carried out by John Christie in Notting Hill in the 1940’s and 50’s.” The cast includes Tim Roth, Samantha Morton, Nico Mirallegro, and Jodie Comer. The three-part drama debuts on Sundance Now on November 9th.
Read more details from SundanceTV below:
New York, NY – July 29, 2017 – Sundance Now, AMC Networks’ premium video streaming service dedicated to bringing members high-quality, acclaimed independent film, documentaries and TV series announced today the acquisition of RIVIERA, a sumptuous thriller starring Julia Stiles (The Bourne Series). The hit ten-part series premiered to impressive numbers in the UK and has garnered critical acclaim. Variety described the series as, “slick, satisfying… luminous and gorgeous” The Sun called it a “fast-paced thriller…set to leave you on the edge of your seats as a life of high fashion and private jets soon turn to deception and even death,” and Newsweek described it as “a stylish, sun-kissed thriller.” It premieres on Sundance Now on September 14th.
In addition to Stiles, RIVIERA brings together an international cast including Lena Olin (Chocolate), Adrian Lester (Hustle), Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones), Anthony LaPaglia (Without a Trace) and Phil Davis (Poldark).
Jan Diedrichsen, General Manager of SundanceTV and Sundance Now, commented: “Supremely written and complete with fantastic performances from Julia Stiles and an impressive ensemble, Riviera allows for binge-viewing at its finest. Set against the lavish world of the French Riviera, this incredible story unfolds with unexpected dramatic twists and turns every step of the way. We are certain Sundance Now members will be captivated by this entirely fresh, exciting and smart original series.”
Set in the south of France, Georgina (Julia Stiles) is newly married to billionaire Constantine Clios when he is killed in a yacht explosion. She is shocked to discover the fortune that maintained his immaculate, ever-so-tasteful lifestyle is tainted with dishonesty, double-dealing, crime, and ultimately murder.
Helped by Constantine’s first wife, Georgina will undergo an education in lying, double-dealing, outright theft and shocking criminality. She has to learn fast to maintain the Clios mansion and save the family from its enemies and from itself. Hiding her bloodstained fingers inside Chanel gloves, she soon reveals herself to be an A-plus student in the brutal art of survival.
Created by Oscar-winning writer and director Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, The Borgias), Riviera is based on an original idea by Paul McGuinness with the opening two episodes co-written with Booker Prize-winning author John Banville (The Sea). The series is produced by Foz Allan for Archery Pictures and Primo Productions, with award-winning Philipp Kadelbach (Generation War, SS-GB) as lead director and BAFTA Award-winning Laurie Rose as director of photography.
Riviera is also executive produced by Neil Jordan, Liza Marshall (Red Riding Trilogy, Taboo), Kris Thykier (Kickass, Woman in Gold) and former U2 manager Paul McGuinness. The deal was negotiated by Aurelie de Troyer, VP of Global Acquisitions and Co-productions for Sundance Now, and for Sky Vision by Gillian Rose, Senior Vice President, US Sales and Acquisitions, Sky Vision.
Los Angeles/ New York, July 29, 2017 – Sundance Now, AMC Networks’ premium video streaming service dedicated to bringing viewers high-quality original and exclusive TV series, and acclaimed independent films and documentaries, announced today the acquisition of BAFTA nominated mini-series RILLINGTON PLACE through a deal with BBC Worldwide North America. Starring Samantha Morton (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, In America) and Tim Roth (Twin Peaks, The Hateful Eight, Rob Roy), the three-part scripted drama explores the life of serial killer John Christie and the murders at 10 Rillington Place, London in the 1940s and 1950s. It premieres on Sundance Now on November 9th.
Jan Diedrichsen, General Manager of SundanceTV and Sundance Now, commented: “Rillington Place weaves together a gifted cast of renowned actors and a remarkably unique storytelling method, set against a factually based and utterly terrifying backdrop. In the same vein as some of our most popular content, this highly bingeable series is perfect for Sundance Now members.”
A chilling three-part drama, Rillington Place is based on the real-life multiple murders carried out by John Christie in Notting Hill in the 1940’s and 50’s. The subsequent tragic miscarriage of justice, which led to Timothy Evans being hanged for a crime he did not commit, contributed towards the abolition of capital punishment in Britain.
Presenting each episode from the separate viewpoints of Ethel, Timothy and finally Christie, writers Ed Whitmore and Tracey Malone drew on original source material from London’s National Archives, alongside new interviews with surviving relatives, to retrace the steps that led Timothy to be accused of murder whilst Christie went unchallenged until his arrest in 1953.
Reconciled after living apart for nine years, John Reginald Christie (Tim Roth) and his wife, Ethel (Samantha Morton), move into the ground floor flat of 10 Rillington Place, West London. The adjustment to a new life, in a small, rundown property, is particularly felt by Ethel but she strives to please her husband. Ten years on, Timothy Evans (Nico Mirallegro) and his wife Beryl (Jodie Comer) move into a flat upstairs and fall prey to Christie’s influence and tales. When Beryl becomes pregnant with a second child, already struggling to make ends meet following the birth of baby Geraldine, the Evans allow Christie to help them with deadly consequences for the young newlyweds.
Rillington Place is made by BBC Studios, the BBC’s commercial production arm, in association with Bandit Television for BBC One. It is directed by Craig Viveiros (And Then There Were None) and written by Ed Whitmore (He Kills Coppers) and Tracey Malone (Born To Kill). Distribution is handled by BBC Worldwide. The deal was negotiated by Aurelie de Troyer, VP of Global Acquisitions and Co-Productions for Sundance Now.
To stream all Sundance Now content via web, iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Xbox, FireTV and Chromecast, visit SundanceNow.com and sign up for a 7-day free trial.”
What do you think? Are you a fan of British dramas? Will you watch Riviera and/or Rillington Place?
