Fleabag jumps into Japan via All3

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag

Japanese pay TV net Wowow has acquired hit BBC comedy Fleabag as part of a trio of sales into the country by UK-based distributor All3Media International.

Wowow has picked up both six-episode seasons of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s acclaimed half-hour comedy, as well as the first season of ITV thriller Liar (6×60’).

A bittersweet confessional of a woman trying to make sense of the world, Fleabag was produced for BBC3 and Amazon Prime Video. It stars Waller-Bridge alongside Sian Clifford, Olivia Colman, Bill Paterson and, in the concluding second season, Andrew Scott.

Meanwhile, the Tohokushinsha Film Corporation has bagged BBC1 drama Baptiste (6×60’), which is a spin-off from fellow BBC drama The Missing. The addition of Baptiste comes off the back of Tohokushinsha’s recent acquisition of fact-based drama Mrs Wilson from All3Media International.

Fleabag, Liar and Baptiste were all produced by UK-based prodco Two Brothers Pictures, and the deal marks the prodco’s debut in the territory.

Sarah Hammond, executive producer at Two Brothers Pictures, said: “We strive to tell stories that are universally compelling and resonate with viewers all over the world, so it’s wonderful to see that these very different series are getting the chance to do just that.”