Zodiak preps money laundering drama

MIPTV: Banijay Group’s distribution arm Zodiak Rights and production financer Arise Pictures have partnered on a timely series about international money laundering.

Caroline Torrance

The first fruits of the previously announced partnership between the firms includes The Cleaners (10×60’) from writer and creator David Raymond, who co-founded Arise.

Described as “Casino Royale meets Wall Street,” the drama revolves around CIA operatives working with illegal money launderers in the Middle East to achieve regime change.

The announcement follows the ‘Panama papers’ scandal which broke this week, when 11.5 million confidential documents detailing the holders of offshore bank accounts, including many international government leaders, were leaked.

Coproduction partners already onboard include Spain’s Arcadia Motion Pictures and the UK’s Propulsion Pictures. Further coproduction partners are due to be named shortly

Filming locations include the Canary Islands and mainland Spain, doubling for the Middle East. Production is planned for later this year and casting is under way.

“This new drama could not be more topical after the recent leak of the Panama papers, highlighting how and where heads of state hide their money around the world,” said Caroline Torrance, head of scripted at Zodiak Rights.