Sundance admires Cleverman

Cleverman, based on an original concept by Ryan Griffen

SundanceTV in the US has acquired Australian and New Zealand series Cleverman, which is distributed by Red Arrow International.

The 6×60’ drama, which will launch at Mipcom next month, is produced by Australia’s Goalpost Pictures and New Zealand’s Pukeko Pictures (Thunderbirds Are Go), in coproduction with SundanceTV and Red Arrow International.

It is made with the assistance of Screen Australia, Screen NSW and the New Zealand Screen Production Grant.

Commissioned by Australian pubcaster ABC’s Indigenous department, Cleverman stars Iain Glen (Game of Thrones), Frances O’Connor, Deborah Mailman, Hunter Page-Lochard, Rob Collins and Ryan Corr.

Based on an original concept by Ryan Griffen, the story follows a group of non-humans who are battling for survival in a world where humans feel increasingly inferior and want to silence, exploit and kill them.

Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop and Bangarra Dance Company’s Jacob Nash are providing the creature design and Park Road Post Production is handling visual effects.

SundanceTV is set to broadcast Cleverman in 2016.