C21’s hot picks for MipTV

With MipTV getting underway in Cannes next week, Ed Waller brings together 21 of the shows most likely to attract attention at the market, as part of C21’s latest Hot Properties Playlist.

The playlist is available to view through the C21Screenings and the C21Screen app, or simply click on the images below.

If you would like to submit a show for consideration in one of our upcoming C21 Hot Properties Playlists, email [email protected].

Show: Zero Gravity: A Mission in Space (1×52’)
Producers: Prospect TV, La Vingt-Cinquieme Heure.
Distributor: Upside Distribution.
They say: “Follows two young astronauts, Alexander Gerst (Germany) and Gregory Reid Wiseman (US), on their first trip to space, to the International Space Station.”
We say: Getting its world premiere at MipDoc in Cannes, this film features some spectacular images of the space station and Earth and looks awesome. Outer space is now a shooting location. ZDF and Arte are attached.

Show: Texas Rising (8×60’)
Producers: A+E Studios, ITV Studios America, Thinkfactory Media.
Distributor: ITV Studios Global Entertainment.
They say: “Details the Texas Revolution of 1835 and the rise of the legendary Texas Rangers.”
We say: Starring Bill Paxton, Ray Liotta and Olivier Martinez, this period drama is produced for History and directed by Roland Joffé (The Killing Fields, The Mission). Leslie Greif (Hatfields & McCoys) is exec producing. It is due to debut in the US on May 25.

Show: Deadline: Gallipoli (4×60’)
Producers: Matchbox Pictures, Full Clip Productions.
Distributor: NBCUniversal International.
They say: “Powerful new Australian miniseries, exploring the origin of the Gallipoli legend from the point of view of four war correspondents.”
We say: A powerful drama timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the ill-fated Gallipoli Campaign of the First World War, telling the story of how the first journalists truly embedded in a military campaign helped to change its course. Debuting in Australia this month to coincide with Anzacs Day, Foxtel and NBCU are offering a preview screening at MipTV.

Show: Safe House (4×60’)
Producer: Eleventh Hour Films.
Distributor: All3Media International.
They say: “Tells the story of a married couple who turn their guest house, set in a remote part of England’s Lake District, into a police safe house.”
We say: This ITV1 commission stars Emmy-winner Christopher Eccleston (Fortitude, Accused) and Marsha Thomason (White Collar) and comes from the production team behind Foyle’s War. Script by Michael Crompton.

Show: Lip Sync Battle (10×30’/format)
Producers: Eight Million Plus Productions, Matador Content.
Distributor: Viacom International Media Networks.
They say: “Will feature celebrities going head-to-head lip synching the song of their choice.”
We say: Following the skit on The Jimmy Fallon Show, Spike TV is partnering with Fallon’s production outfit to produce a half-hour comedy series to debut next month. Fallon, John Krasinski and Stephen Merchant will perform on the Spike series, while VIMN will also be shopping format rights in Cannes.

Show: Our Crazy Family (706×4’30”)
Producer: Kabo Family.
Distributor: Kabo International.
They say: “A hilarious comedy focusing on a multi-generational family as they face the complexities of three generations all trying to get along.”
We say: This French primetime sitcom has run for four seasons on M6 and Kabo’s new distribution arm is launching it as a format in Cannes. The show is created using Kabo’s unique Pick ’n’ Mix model, under which a collection of more than 700 sketches featuring the same characters can be combined into a series of hours, half-hours or shorts for the web.

Show: Beat My Guest (format)
Producers: TVMARK, CCCP.
Distributor: Lineup Industries.
They say: “Forget all the big expensive studio-based talent shows; Beat My Guest takes the singing competition into the living room.”
We say: A nice contrast to the overproduced talent shows clogging primetime, this more affordable and intimate format has already been commissioned by DTT channel W9 in France, via Reservoir Productions.

Show: Blochin: The Living & the Dead (1×90’+4×60’)
Producer: Real Film Berlin.
Distributor: ZDF Enterprises.
They say: “A complex reality of everyday life, in which the underworld is inseparably linked to society’s elite.”
We say: The pilot episode was well received at Berlinale in February and, with Matthias Glasner (Tartort) the creator and director, this ZDF crime series looks set to ride the current interest in German drama. Jürgen Vogel (Stereo, Mercy) plays the title character, a criminal turned cop.

Show: Dictator (8×30’/format)
Producer: UR/Art89.
Distributor: Nordic World.
They say: “This format explores issues of 
freedom and democracy within the context of a reality-style contest.”
We say: After debuting on SVT2 in Sweden last fall, this ‘social experiment’ format has since been picked up for local production by NRK in Norway and SBS in Belgium.

Show: Freedom (1×52’/1×90’)
Producers: Lato Sensu Productions, Ushuaïa TV, RTS.
Distributor: Terranoa.
They say: “A visual thrill, a dream come true of flying alongside the last wild eagle living in the Alps.”
We say: Expect some spectacular imagery in this film, as viewers are taken on a trip on the back of eagles or flown over the Alps on drone-cams. TF1-owned Ushuaïa TV, France 5 and RTS of Switzerland are attached.

Show: The Principal (4×60’)
Producer: Essential Media.
Distributor: DCD Rights.
They say: “Set inside a troubled secondary school, where a new head’s attempts at reform are starting to make progress – until a student is found dead.”
We say: Currently in production for pubcaster SBS down under, this is the latest work from the production company behind much-travelled Aussie dramas Jack Irish and Rake. Alex Dimitriades (The Slap), Aden Young (Rectify) and Mirrah Foulkes (Top of the Lake) star.

Show: Real Men (format)
Producer: Fjernsynsforeningen.
Distributor: Red Arrow International.
They say: “This format takes five charismatic men and puts them on an intense training regime to improve their health.”
We say: This show was viewed by half the TV population on Denmark’s DR1 earlier this year, and consistently scored over 80% above the slot average. At last, a health show that appeals to male demos.

Show: Filinta (26×90’)
Producer: ES Films.
Distributor: ITV InterMedya.
They say: “The first Ottoman detective show ever, Filinta presents notions of rights, justice, camaraderie, fellowship and love.”
We say: This Turkish period drama debuted on TRT1 in March and is directed by Kudret Sabanci, whose credits include the global hit 1001 Nights. It falls under TRT’s distribution pact with ITV InterMedya, alongside Tree of Life and Resurrection.

Show: Deadbeat (20×23’)
Producers: Plan B Entertainment, Dakota Pictures, Lionsgate TV.
Distributor: Lionsgate TV International.
They say: “Centres on a New York City slacker who has the unique ability to see dead people.”
We say: Starring Tyler Labine (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), this Hulu sitcom began its second season in March. Watch out for UK gameshow host Cat Deeley and cameos from James Franco, Danny DeVito and Jim Norton.

Show: Versailles (10×52’)
Producers: Capa Drama, Zodiak Media, Incendo.
Distributors: Zodiak Rights, Incendo (Canada).
They say: “Louis XIV is 28 years old. To win absolute power, he launches the construction of the Palace of Versailles. A trap is set.”
We say: It might have taken a while to reach the screen but it looks like the Canal+ show is worth the wait. Simon Mirren (Criminal Minds) and David Wolstencroft (Spooks) are behind the production, which is in English – something of a new trend for the French channel. Video not yet available.

Show: SS-GB (5×60’)
Producers: Sid Gentle Films, Lookout Point.
Distributor: BBC Worldwide.
They say: “A thriller set in 1940s London, with the premise that the Germans won the Battle of Britain and London is under Nazi occupation.”
We say: Adapted from the 1978 Len Deighton novel by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, the two writers behind the last five 007 movies, this BBC1 mini looks very promising. The exec producers include Sally Woodward Gentle (Downton Abbey, Cambridge Spies), Lee Morris (Da Vinci’s Demons) and Simon Vaughan (Ripper Street, Parade’s End). Video not yet available.

Show: Prized Apart (6×60’/format)
Producer: Electric Ray.
Distributor: Sony Pictures TV.
They say: “A unique mix of heart-stopping location adventure and high studio drama.”
We say: This new Saturday night format debuts on BBC1 this spring, and hails from the Sony-backed prodco that was set up by former BBC commissioning editor Karl Warner (Russell Howard’s Good News) and Bafta-winning producer Meredith Chambers (The Secret Millionaire). Video not yet available.

Show: David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef (3×60’)
Producer: Atlantic Productions.
Distributor: Entertainment One TV International.
They say: “Uses pioneering camera technology and the latest research to investigate the reef in revelatory new ways.”
We say: Anything with Attenborough in is must-watch these days, as the world-renowned naturalist has become the gold standard for wildlife docs that everyone else is judged against. The team behind triple Emmy-winning BBC series First Life is producing, with the BBC in the UK and ABC in Australia already onboard. Video not yet available.

Show: Deutschland 83 (8×60’)
Producer: UFA Fiction.
Distributor: FremantleMedia International.
They say: “A suspenseful coming-of-age story set against the real culture wars and political events of Germany in the 1980s.”
We say: This RTL show has been buzzworthy since its sneak peek at C21’s Content London in November. It has this year become the first German-language drama to be picked up in the US, after a deal with SundanceTV, and has also been licensed to pubcasters across Scandinavia. RTL will air the show this fall, but meanwhile buyers are asking whether German drama, with its rich history to explore, is the new Nordic noir. Video not yet available.

Show: Marilyn (4×60’)
Producer: Asylum Entertainment.
Distributor: A+E Networks.
They say: “Offers new and surprising insights into one of the most fascinating and elusive celebrities of the 20th century.”
We say: US cablenet Lifetime continues its look at female stars who died young with this mini, from the team behind Reelz series The Kennedys. Kelli Garner (Pan Am) plays the Blonde Bombshell, while The Kennedys scribe Stephen Kronish is adapting the script from the book The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe by J Randy Taraborrelli. Video not yet available.

Show: Making of the Mob: New York (8×60’)
Producer: Stephen David Entertainment.
Distributor: Entertainment One TV International.
They say: “Chronicles the roots of the original five families that led to the formation of the modern American Mafia.”
We say: This scripted/factual hybrid is being made by Emmy-winning Stephen David (The World Wars, The Men Who Built America) and features interviews with historians and ex-Mafia members. It will debut this summer as part of Mob Week on AMC and falls under the US net’s output deal with Entertainment One TV. Video not yet available.