Sky Arts adopts French accent

UK satcaster Sky Arts has boosted its slate of foreign-language drama by acquiring two French series about sex and power from pay-TV network Canal+.

Maison Close is a period costume drama set in a brothel in late 19th century Paris. The story follows the lives of three women working at Paradise, a venue popular with aristocrats.

The eight-part drama, in French with English subtitles, was created by Jacques Ouaniche and directed by Mabrouk el Mechri. It is due to air on July 15 on Sky Arts 2.

Meanwhile, Hard is a romantic comedy written and directed by actress Cathy Verney about a middle-class housewife who discovers her late husband was running a secret porn business she must now take over.

It is produced by Gilles Galud and will air on Sky Arts in 2013, also in French with English subtitles.

“Sky’s aim is to bring the best quality drama to its customers and both these acclaimed French Canal+ dramas offer something unique for viewers,” said James Hunt, director of Sky Arts.

“Maison Close and Hard don’t shy away from taboo, but the exemplary writing, direction and performances put them at the vanguard of creative storytelling.”

Maison Close and Hard expand Sky Arts’ slate of foreign-language drama. The channel recently aired the first season of Italy’s Romanzo Criminale and two Israeli series: In Treatment (BeTipul) and the series that inspired Homeland, Prisoners of War (Hatufim).