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DRG fully funds Manson series

UK distributor DRG has linked with US prodco MY Entertainment to produce a four-part documentary series about the family of infamous criminal Charles Manson.

Charles Manson

Fully funded by DRG, Manson’s Bloodline (4×60′) tells the story of Manson’s grandson, Jason Freeman, and his coming to terms with his notorious grandfather.

It will include previously unheard telephone calls that Manson had with Freeman from prison as well as exclusive footage of Manson’s funeral from earlier this year.

The series will be available in time for next summer, which will mark 50 years since the murder spree undertaken by the cult leader and his followers.

It is the first time DRG has fully funded a production and commissioned it without a commitment from a broadcaster.

Following its investment, DRG has sold the show to US cablenet Reelz and to Viaplay for Scandinavia. It will join other Manson-related content being released in 2019 such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino’s forthcoming movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt.

DRG said its aim was to turn Bloodline into a long-running, returning docuseries franchise that explores the impact notorious criminals have had on their families.

“The traditional distribution model is no longer viable; distributors cannot sit back and wait for programming to come to them. We need to be quick, flexible and use our market knowledge – and instincts – to grab great content and ensure it moves swiftly from a paper idea into production,” said Richard Halliwell, CEO of DRG.

Halliwell added that DRG was currently pursuing a full slate of its own commissions.

Manson’s Bloodline is executive produced by Joe Townley, chief operating officer at MY Entertainment, and Zak Bagans Entertainment, with DRG’s Halliwell, Elin Thomas and Adam Barth also taking executive producer credits.

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