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UK, Scandi pubcasters explore New Zealand’s Gloriavale Christian Community

Escaping Utopia premiered in March on TVNZ1 and its streaming service TVNZ+

Public broadcasters in the UK and Scandinavia have acquired TVNZ’s investigative docuseries into New Zealand’s most extreme religious cult from distributor Fifth Season.

Movistar Plus+ in Spain and MTV Oy in Finland have also joined the BBC in the UK, SVT in Sweden, NRK in Norway and DR in Denmark in picking up Escaping Utopia (3×60′).

Produced by Warner Bros International Television Production Series (WBITPS), it investigates the Gloriavale Christian Community and the true stories of people attempting to break free.

TVNZ in New Zealand premiered the show in March on TVNZ1 and its streaming service TVNZ+.

It was produced by WBITPS in association with the New Zealand Government’s Premium Productions for International Audiences Fund, and directed by Natalie Malcon, Justin Pemberton and Britta Hawkins.

Jennifer Ebell, executive VP for EMEA sales and acquisitions at Fifth Season, said: “Escaping Utopia is a brilliantly crafted series with exclusive inner access on a current and evolving situation, which expertly digs into the psychology of Gloriavale and leaves audiences with a deeper understanding of this closed community – and the secrecy, abuse and indoctrination within it that has been hidden in this remote outpost for fifty years.

“The series had a remarkable response in New Zealand and immediately captivated viewers, so we look forward to now bringing this landmark story of survival to the UK and new international audiences.”

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