CBC, Channel 5 search for Cleopatra

Dr Kathleen Martinez in Searching for Cleopatra

Canadian public broadcaster the CBC and Viacom-owned UK terrestrial net Channel 5 have commissioned a one-off history documentary that sheds new light on Ancient Egyptian ruler Cleopatra.

UK-based Arrow Media and Canadian prodcos Handel Productions and Rezolution Pictures have received the green light for Searching for Cleopatra.

The three companies will work on two separate 1×60’ versions of the show for UK and Canadian audiences.

The doc centres on exclusive access to the latest expedition to explore the mystery of Cleopatra. Centuries of Roman propaganda and decades of Hollywood clichés have painted a picture of Cleopatra as a ruthless, fearless leader. But new discoveries, groundbreaking science and game-changing archaeology are rewriting history.

Searching for Cleopatra challenges current thinking with exclusive access to the recent expedition by leading Cleopatra archaeologist Dr Kathleen Martinez. Arrow Media, Rezolution and Handel Productions were on site, filming the excavations as they happened.

CBC’s version of the show will be narrator-led, whereas Channel 5’s version will include a presenter.

Searching for Cleopatra was commissioned by Sue Dando at the CBC and Lucy Willis at Channel 5. It is executive produced by Lucie Ridout for Arrow Media, with Tom Brisley as creative director. Catherine Bainbridge of Rezolution Pictures and Alan Handel of Handel Productions also exec produce. Fremantle is distributing internationally.