Red Planet to produce Motown drama

Red Planet Pictures, the UK indie behind the BBC’s Death in Paradise, has struck a deal with EMI Music Publishing to produce a 10-part musical drama centered around Motown anthems.

Stop! In The Name Of Love is a joint venture between Red Planet MD Tony Jordan, UK film producer Duncan Kenworthy (Notting Hill, Love Actually) and former chairman of Universal Music UK, John Kennedy.

Former Cineflix Studios MD and NBCUniversal president Peter Smith, who was last week appointed MD of European broadcaster Antenna Group, is also on board and is currently opening discussions with potential broadcast partners for the project, both internationally and in the UK.

Smith was involved in the project before his new role at Antenna and his name is still attached to the project.

The show will use the music of Berry Gordy Junior’s famous record label as an integral part of the contemporary drama’s storyline about a group of smart 30-somethings and their search for love and friendship. The series’ characters will sing the songs within the spoken narrative.

Jordan is to write the series and will exec produce alongside Kenworthy, while Jordan’s prodco, Red Planet Pictures, is on board to bring the series to the small screen.