Starz’s Counterpart multiplies globally

JK Simmons plays a dual role in sci-fi drama Counterpart

TV platforms including HBO in Central Europe and Spain, Modern Times Group for the Nordics and Wowow in Japan have picked up a Starz sci-fi thriller.

Counterpart, starring JK Simmons, has been acquired by OCS in France, Viasat World in Russia and Telenet for Flemish-speaking Belgium.

Elsewhere, Sohu has taken the series in China, KT in South Korea, Bell Media in Canada, D-Smart in Turkey and Bein across the Middle East.

The drama comes from creator Justin Marks and is produced by Gilbert Films, Anonymous Content and MRC. Sony Pictures Television sells the show globally and has closed deals in more than 40 territories.

Created, written and executive produced by Marks, the show is also executive produced by Gary Gilbert for Gilbert Films, Jordan Horowitz and Morten Tyldum. Keith Redmon and Bard Dorros exec produce for Anonymous.

Counterpart is set in Cold War Berlin and follows a UN bureaucrat (Simmons) who stumbles upon a secret crossing to a parallel dimension. The show also features Olivia Williams (The Sixth Sense) and Harry Lloyd (The Theory of Everything.)

Starz ordered two seasons of the show and Williams has praised the series for its diverse cast.