BBCWW uncovers murder

BBC Worldwide Channels has ordered a slate of new shows, including a chocolate-themed murder mystery for Australian network UKTV and a South African version of Come Dine With Me.

UKTV’s new drama, Dripping in Chocolate (1×90′), comes from Endemol owned Southern Star Entertainment and will premiere next year. Endemol Worldwide Distribution is handling international sales.

The film tells the story of an unlikely duo comprising a detective and a chocolatier who partner to uncover the mystery of a girl found dead outside a chocolate shop. Screen Australia also invested in the show.

Elsewhere, South African prodco Rapid Blue is behind a local 10×50′ version of ITV Studios culinary competition format Come Dine With Me, which will broadcast on BBC Entertainment this autumn. Contestants from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban have been cast.

Factual entertainment series Year of Adventures (5×50′) will broadcast on international feeds of BBC Knowledge, HD and Entertainment in January next year.

Inspired by the BBCWW-owned Lonely Planet book title of the same name, it follows British presenter/adventurer Ben Fogle as he tackles a series of challenges in the US, Europe and Australia.

BBC Bristol is behind the series, with Robi Dutta and Lonely Planet Television’s Sue Norton executive producing. Last week, BBCWW president of worldwide networks and global iPlayer Jana Bennett confirmed new Lonely Planet content was forthcoming on the international feeds in an interview with C21.

Other recent commissions include UKTV’s Some Say Love and The Kangaroo Gang: Thieves by Appointment; CBeebies’ preschool show Mr Bloom’s Nursery; and BBC Knolwedge’s factual title Free Rein. BBCWW said its commissioning slate has grown to 112 hours this year, up from 34 hours in 2010.