Hulu takes C4’s Baghdad Central to US

Baghdad Central launches on Channel 4 in the UK and US streamer Hulu next year

MIPCOM: Disney-owned streamer Hulu has picked up US rights to forthcoming Channel 4 drama Baghdad Central from the show’s distributor, Fremantle.

Produced by Fremantle’s UK drama label Euston Films, the six-part drama was written and created by Bafta-nominated writer Stephen Butchard (The Last Kingdom, House of Saddam), based on the novel by Elliott Colla.

It will launch on Channel 4 in the UK and Hulu in the US in 2020, joining the streamer’s slate of international content, which includes Das Boot, This Way Up and Prisoners of War.

Starring Waleed Zuaiter, Corey Stoll, and July Namir, the series is set in October 2003 after Baghdad has been occupied by US-led coalition forces for six months.

The disbandment of the Iraqi army, the police and civil leadership in the aftermath of the invasion means there is no one in charge and no effective rule of law.

In the midst of this chaos, crime and paranoia, Iraqi ex-policeman Muhsin al-Khafaji has to reclaim his identity as a detective to investigate the disappearance of his daughter.

The 6×60’ series was commissioned for Channel 4 by Beth Willis, head of drama, with commissioning editor Manpreet Dosanjh and commissioning executive Jonny Richards.

The executive producers are Kate Harwood, Stephen Butchard and Alice Troughton.

Fremantle distributes the show globally.