Swiss-Irish drama centres on UN

Swiss pubcaster SRG SSR is funding the development of a drama based around corruption within the United Nations with Irish indie ShinAwiL and Swiss prodcos C-Films and Point Prod.

Larry Bass

SRG SSR, together with its French and Germany-language networks SRF and RTS, are supporting the development of Alpha, written by Pascal Glatz and Christian Wehrlin in cooperation with Mirage screenwriter Bénédicte Charles.

Set in Switzerland in 1999, as well as in Dublin, London and Baghdad, Alpha follows a newly appointed UN official as she uncovers a scandal within the organisation and its Oil for Food Programme.

ShinAwiL, founded by CEO Larry Bass, launched a scripted division earlier this year and is currently developing a slate of projects with funding from screen agencies and broadcasters including the Canadian Media Fund, Screen Ireland and RTÉ.

The company recently wrapped production on A+E Networks International’s Miss Scarlett & the Duke, overseeing production for Element 8.