Pop picks Wolf Creek

Wolf Creek stars John Jarratt

CBS and Lionsgate’s US joint-venture cablenet Pop has picked up psychological thriller Wolf Creek, the first original series from Australian SVoD start-up Stan.

The 6×60’ show, based on Greg Mclean’s two movies loosely based on the true story of a serial killer who captured and tortured backpackers in the Outback, will premiere on Pop on October 14.

It’s the first US deal since Lionsgate acquired North and Latin American rights for the series produced by Banijay’s Screentime and McLean’s Wolf Creek Pictures.

International sales are handled by Zodiak Rights, the distribution arm of Banijay Group, which has previously sold the show to Fox UK.

The Lionsgate deal was brokered by Zodiak Rights VP of sales and acquisitions Andreas Lemos.

Stan CEO Mike Sneesby said: “The Lionsgate deal is one of the biggest international distribution deals for an Australian show. By generating significant licensing revenues for our Stan original series, we are able to reinvest into the local production industry.”

The Wolf Creek series sees John Jarratt reprising his role in the movies as serial killer Mick Taylor, who finds the tables are turned when one of his victims, American tourist Eve (Lucy Fry), survives the massacre of her family and sets out for revenge.

The series has attracted more than 500,000 views on Stan, making it the biggest premiere on the platform co-owned by Nine Entertainment and Fairfax Media. A second series is being discussed, C21 understands.