UKTV’s Mark Gatiss drama Bookish starts new chapter at France’s Polar+

Bookish was created by and stars Mark Gatiss

Polar+, the French crime-focused network owned by Canal+, has acquired two seasons of UKTV crime drama Bookish.

The series, created by and starring Mark Gatiss, is set in post-war London and follows a book shop owner who helps police solve crimes. Germany’s Beta Film, which handles international distribution, has now sold the show, which is produced by Eagle Eye Drama, into more than 100 territories.

NBCUniversal-backed pay channel 13ème Rue also acquired the ITV and PBS crime drama Professor TV, which is also sold internationally by Beta Film and produced by Eagle Eye Drama. The series, now in its fifth season, stars Ben Miller as a genius criminologist who aids law enforcement in catching criminals.

In addition, HBO Max in France acquired the second season of Maxima, an original drama for RTL Netherlands-owned streamer Videoland about the Dutch royal family. The project is produced by Millstreet Films in coproduction with HBO and Beta Film.

Elsewhere, Canal+ also acquired the crime TV movie series Death in Denmark. The four-film cycle is produced by Eikon Media for Germany’s ARD Degeto.

In related news, Beta Film and Bavaria Media have closed several deals with international key players on Mozart Mozart, their new drama about the Mozart siblings. The period drama has been picked up around the world by AMC Networks Latin America, SBS in Australia, 1TV in Armenia, RTP in Portugal, Canal+ in Austria as well as Latvian TV and Tet+ in Latvia.

Mozart Mozart is produced by Story House Pictures in coproduction with ARD (WDR, SWR, ARD Degeto Film), Austria’s ORF and Dreaming Sheep Company. Beta Film and Bavaria Media are handling international sales.