BBCWW lines up first Euro copro

BBCWorldwide (BBCWW) has inked its first original coproduction deal with a European broadcaster, for a new sci-fi show called The Refugees.

The commercial arm of UK pubcaster will produce the English-language show with Spain’s Atresmedia for its Spanish channel LaSexta, with production set to begin in the summer.

The Refugees (Refugiados) will premiere on the channel next Autumn and is to be produced by Bambú Producciones. It has been created by Ramón Campos, Gema R Neira, Cristóbal Garrido and Adolfo Valor and will feature a British cast.

The show explores the impact on a small rural community after millions of refugees from the future travel back in time to seek shelter in the present.

BBCWW will act as coproducer on the show as well as distributing the series globally, and acting as a commissioner for international channels.

Ben Donald, exec producer for BBCWW’s international drama, said the show was part of the firm’s strategy to explore new production models that delivered “cost-effective, high quality output” to European broadcasters looking for English-language drama.

He added that “using British talent whilst growing our content pipeline by sourcing it from a new European partner” had appealed to the firm.