5 orders vertical reality series My Crazy Million Dollar Wedding, drama Last Resort

Paramount-owned broadcaster 5 in the UK has commissioned a reality and observational documentary series designed simultaneously for vertical digital and linear platforms, as well as a drama from Pernel Media.

Federico Ruiz

My Crazy Million Dollar Wedding is being produced by Firecracker Films as a 40×1-3’ digital vertical series and 1×90’ linear compilation. The show goes behind the scenes of the high-end, luxury nuptials of super-wealthy young couples marrying in locations around the world.

Firecracker Films’ exec producer Tayte Simpson and creative director Tammy Hoyle are producing.

Federico Ruiz, commissioning editor for 5, said: “With the vertical market exploding and audiences devouring microseries like Pringles, My Crazy Million Dollar Wedding is a glossy, addictive, returnable format that blends observational filming with new-school digital storytelling.

“These cross-cultural experiments are where the industry is heading and we want to plant our flag firmly in this space. This is a slightly new departure for 5 – and we are ready to take it on.”

Last Resort stars (L-R) Tessa Peake-Jones, Caroline Quentin and Jason Watkins

In related news, 5 has commissioned drama series Last Resort (working title, 6×60′) from Pernel Media, starring Caroline Quentin, Tessa Peake-Jones, Jason Watkins and John Hannah.

Currently filming and set to air on 5 in 2027, the show is described as a deceptively dark tale of village life produced by Pernel Media in association with Peer Pressure and StudioCanal, which will handle international distribution for the series.

It was commissioned for 5 by Sebastian Cardwell, deputy chief content officer and is co-created by Samuel Kissous and Matthew Thomas. Executive producers for the series are Kissous for Pernel Media and Richard Cook and Angela Squire for Peer Pressure.

Writers on the series include lead scribe Matthew Thomas (Missed Call), David Turpin (The Ex-Wife) and Rebbecca Wojciechowski (The Teacher), with Sean Ellis (The Cut) joining as the series director.

It marks the third UK scripted series for France’s Pernel Media commissioned by 5, following The Au Pair (starring Sir David Suchet) last year and Missed Call (starring Joanna Scanlan) this year.