Boxatricks, TV2 Norway draw straws

Boxatricks, the UK indie backed by the creators of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and Weakest Link, is to begin production on its first major pilot.

The Shortest Straw, a 60-minute primetime gameshow format, is set to be recorded at Pinewood TV in late August and will be distributed at Mipcom by TV2 Norway-owned Nordic World.

Production of the pilot is being backed by TV2 Norway and the Israeli-based TV Format Fund, with additional support from a number of individual investors.

The pilot will be produced by Colman Hutchinson and David Briggs, directed by Ian Hamilton and hosted by former Westlife singer Nicky Byrne. The premise of the gameshow format is not yet known.

A Spanish-speaking version will also be piloted at Pinewood by Madrid-based production company Inspira Content.

UK-based Boxatricks paired up with Fintan Coyle, co-creator of Weakest Link, two years ago to collaborate on the creation of new formats and co-develop existing ideas.

This came shortly after Millionaire creators Michael Whitehill and David Briggs joined producers Hutchinson and Steve Springford at the company.