History UK declares War of Thrones

REALSCREEN: A+E Networks UK-owned channel History has commissioned an English-language version of a French documentary series about the rival dynasties that forged modern Europe.

The Real War of Thrones: A History of Europe uses dramatic reconstructions

The Real War of Thrones: Hundred Years War (4×60’) is being produced by Paris-based indie Pernel Media for History in the UK, fronted by British historian Dan Jones. The order was announced at Realscreen Summit in Washington DC.

Pernel previously produced The Real War of Thrones: A History of Europe for pubcaster France 5 and has been shopping the finished tape and format internationally.

The 4K series is being directed by Chris Holt and charts the history of medieval Europe and the Hundred Years War through dramatic reconstructions.

Each episode focuses on a moment in European history and a clash between European houses which, so damaged France that it enabled England to briefly rule over the country.

Jones previously worked as a historical consultant on drama series Knightfall, which is produced by A+E Studios for History in the US and globally and will premiere on History in the UK later this year.

Dan Korn, VP of programming for A+E Networks UK, commissioned the series for History, with Pernel Media founder Samuel Kissous executive producing.

SVoD platform CuriosityStream also recently acquired the global non-exclusive rights to stream an international version of the series.

France Television Distribution handles distribution of The Real War of Thrones: A History of Europe worldwide outside the UK.

Kissous said: “From the outset, we developed the series as an ambitious, premium docu-drama franchise that has real global appeal.”