News

“Derry Girls” creator Lisa McGee has started production on her upcoming comedy thriller series “How to Get to Heaven From Belfast” in Northern Ireland and has revealed the lead cast for the Netflix show.

Roísín Gallagher, Sinéad Keenan and Caoilfhionn Dunne will play Saoirse, Robyn and Dara, three childhood friends, now in their late 30s, who come together over news of a fourth friend’s death, leading them on a what’s described as a “dark, dangerous and hilarious odyssey” through Ireland and beyond as they try to piece together the truth of the past.

“I couldn’t be more excited to start production on ‘How To Get To Heaven From Belfast,'” said McGee, who create and wrote the series and serves as exec producer. “I’ve loved writing Saoirse, Robyn and Dara — three flawed, funny women who are about to embark on the most thrilling and terrifying adventure of their lives.

“How to Get to Heaven From Belfast,” the new series from “Derry Girls” creator Lisa McGee, has moved to Netflix from Channel 4.

Produced by Hat Trick Productions, the comedy thriller will start shooting in Northern Ireland later this year.

The project was announced by Channel 4 in August 2023. In a statement to Variety, the network cited “changes in editorial direction” and “rising costs” as to why the series could no longer move forward there.

“We loved Lisa McGee’s ‘How to Get to Heaven From Belfast’ and offered a substantial license fee to be its U.K. home,” a Channel 4 spokesperson said. “Unfortunately due to changes in editorial direction as the development process progressed, coupled with rising costs and the recent cooling in the U.S. co-production market, it became impossible to get the right international partner and funding plan in place. We wish Lisa and Hat Trick Productions all...

Katherine Butler and Adrian Sturges join drama team led by UK & Ireland chief Meghan Lyvers.

Sky Studios, the production arm of European pay-tv giant Sky, have added The Ink Factory’s former creative director and the producer of Netflix’s The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself as it ramps up its drama team under UK & Ireland chief Meghan Lyvers.

Katherine Butler has joined the studio as director of drama commissioning for Uk&i, while Adrian Sturges joins as executive producer. Butler effectively replaces Gabriel Silver, who departed in September, and will join in the new year. Sturges takes up his role this month.

Drama commissioners Gabriel Silver and Liz Lewin and production head Amanda Wilkie-Sweeney are leaving.

Drama commissioners Gabriel Silver and Liz Lewin and production head Amanda Wilkie-Sweeney are leaving Sky Studios, Screen’s sister site Broadcast has learned.

It is believed all three have irons in the fire in terms of new roles, though the details are not known.

The trio follow Preethi Mavahalli out of the pay-tv provider’s drama department, who joined Ben Stephenson’s Poison Pen earlier this week.

Lewin and Wilkie-Sweeney resigned over the summer, while Silver’s departure was communicated to staff earlier this week.

Sky Studio...

Exclusive: Sundance Now has joined Sky’s British comedy-drama series The Lovers, bagging itself rights in the U.S. and Canada. The AMC Networks streamer has been expected to board the show for a number of weeks and Deadline can now confirm its participation.

Sundance Now will become a co-producer on the show, which comes from Pure, Life and Doctor Foster producer Drama Republic in association with Sky Studios. Roanna Benn and Rebecca de Souza are executive producers for Drama Republic, with commissioning editors Liz Lewin and Manpreet Dosanjh as executive producers for Sky Studios. Hannah Pescod also serves as executive producer, with Chris Martin as producer. David Ireland is the writer and Justin Martin the director.

Roisin Gallagher (The Fall), Johnny Flynn and Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones) star, and Alice Eve (Star Trek Into Darkness) will play a major supporting role, as we told you a few weeks back.

I Hate Suzie star Billie Piper’s back injury will have no impact on filming of the BAFTA-winning show’s second season, as the incident took place during a post-filming promotional shoot.

I Hate Suzie network Sky and Piper’s reps have clarified that, contrary to earlier reports, the fall sustained during a Strictly Come Dancing-style scene happened after filming on season two, titled I Hate Suzie Too, had wrapped. The season will air later this year on Sky and U.S. co-producer HBO Max.

Piper, who stars as Suzy Pickles in the eight-parter and also created with Lucy Prebble, was taken to hospital late yesterday UK time after injuring her back during the promotional shoot.

The first season of I Hate Suzie from His Dark Materials producer Bad Wolf and Sky Studios was nominated for three BAFTAs including for Piper, Best Drama Series and co-star Leila Farzad.

The show follows Pickles,...

Exclusive: Star Trek Into Darkness, Black Mirror and Belgravia star Alice Eve has joined the cast of Sky’s upcoming comedy-drama series The Lovers.

Eve will join a cast that includes the likes of Roisin Gallagher, Johnny Flynn and Conleth Hill.

The series, first unveiled two weeks ago, follows Janet (Gallagher) as supermarket worker who doesn’t care about anything, including her life, and Seamus (Flynn) a handsome, self-centered, political broadcaster with what looks to be a perfect London life. When they unexpectedly meet, they instantly clash – and yet also find themselves inextricably drawn to each other.

Details of Eve’s role are scarce but Deadline hears she will play Seamus’ high-profile celebrity girlfriend.

Eve recently starred in Epix’s limited series Belgravia, which is from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, and wrapped production on buzzy Amazon drama series The Power.

Commissions

Sky original drama series “The Lovers,” starring Johnny Flynn (“Beast”) and Roisin Gallagher (“The Fall”) has commenced production. The six-part series, written by playwright David Ireland (“Cyprus Avenue”) and directed by Justin Martin (“Together”), follows Janet (Gallagher), a foul-mouthed, disaffected Belfast supermarket worker and Seamus (Flynn) a self-centred, political broadcaster with what looks to be a perfect London life and a celebrity girlfriend. It is produced by Drama Republic, in association with Sky Studios and will available on Sky Atlantic and streamer Now in 2023.

The series was commissioned by Gabriel Silver, director of commissioning for drama at Sky Studios, for Zai Bennett, MD of content at Sky U.K. Roanna Benn and Rebecca de Souza are executive producers for Drama Republic, with commissioning editors Liz Lewin and Manpreet Dosanjh as executive producers for Sky Studios. Hannah Pescod also serves as executive producer, with Chris Martin as producer. NBCUniversal Global Distribution...

Sky has put a darkly comic drama about a foul-mouthed supermarket worker in Belfast into production. Roisin Gallagher and Johnny Flynn take the leading roles in The Lovers, which is from Doctor Foster and Pure producer Drama Republic.

The series follows Janet (Gallagher) as supermarket worker who doesn’t care about anything, including her life, and Seamus (Flynn) a handsome, self-centered, political broadcaster with what looks to be a perfect London life and a celebrity girlfriend. When they unexpectedly meet, they instantly clash – and yet also find themselves inextricably drawn to each other.

The series also stars Conleth Hill as Janet’s supermarket boss.

Drama Republic is producing in association with Sky Studios. Playwright David Ireland and directed by Justin Martin. The show will air on Sky Atlantic and streaming service Now in 2023.

Liz Lewin and Manpreet Dosanjh,...

A first look at the third and final season of “Derry Girls” is finally here — and just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 has unveiled the first Season 3 still and trailer for the show, which garnered global popularity via Netflix. The drama is created and written by Lisa McGee, who mined her own experiences growing up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

While Season 1 observed the gang navigating their teens in 1990s Derry against a backdrop of The Troubles, Season 2 charted the group navigating their parents, parties, love interests and school against the backdrop of a precarious peace process. In Season 3 — which still doesn’t have a launch date on Channel 4 — viewers will see that while Northern Ireland is growing up, “this gang of eejits certainly aren’t anytime soon.”

“While there’s hope in the air that The Troubles may finally be over,...

Gabriel Silver will report to chief content officer Jane Millichip.

Sky Studios has appointed scripted commissioner Gabriel Silver to the newly-created post of director of commissioning for drama.

Silver, who is currently a senior commissioning editor and exec producer at Sky Studios, will oversee a broad slate of projects. He will report to chief content officer Jane Millichip.

According to Screen’s sister publication Broadcast, Silver’s appointment was made above a competitive group of candidates from across the industry. It is the first role to be filled after it was revealed that Sky Studios would be splitting the post...

Gabriel Silver will report to chief content officer Jane Millichip.

Sky Studios has appointed scripted commissioner Gabriel Silver to the newly-created post of director of commissioning for drama.

Silver, who is currently a senior commissioning editor and exec producer at Sky Studios, will oversee a broad slate of projects. He will report to chief content officer Jane Millichip.

According to Screen’s sister publication Broadcast, Silver’s appointment was made above a competitive group of candidates from across the industry. It is the first role to be filled after it was revealed that Sky Studios would be splitting the post...

Sky Studios, the pay TV network’s production arm, has promoted Gabriel Silver – who oversaw the commissioning of “Chernobyl” – to the role of director of commissioning, drama in the U.K., overseeing a broad slate of ambitious projects.

Silver, who is currently senior commissioning editor and executive producer at Sky Studios, takes up his new role with immediate effect, reporting into chief content officer Jane Millichip.

Most recently Silver has overseen a critically acclaimed slate of Sky Original dramas that includes Emmy and BAFTA-winning series “Chernobyl” and global hit “Gangs of London,” plus returning franchises “Temple,” “Britannia” and “Cobra.” He is currently exec producing upcoming Sky Original dramas “Extinction,” starring Paapa Essiedu, and “The Baby,” a co-production between Sky and HBO.

Prior to joining Sky in 2017, Silver worked at a range of indies including as a development and executive producer at Left Bank Pictures and at Kudos, where he script...

Sky Studios has promoted senior commissioner Gabriel Silver to director of drama commissioning following the departure of Cameron Roach.

Silver will be responsible for ordering originals from the independent production sector, having overseen a slate that includes Chernobyl, Gangs of London, and Britannia since joining Sky Studios in 2017.

Roach’s role has been split in two, with Silver overseeing third-party commissioning across Europe, while an in-house creative director will be responsible for the development and production of Sky Studios drama projects. Recruitment is ongoing for the latter role.

Silver will report to Sky Studios’ chief content officer Jane Millichip, while he will also have a dotted line to Zai Bennett, MD of content at Sky UK, with projects jointly greenlit by both Sky Studios and Sky UK.

Silver said: “Sky drama has never been more bold or ambitious than it is today. Over the next 18 months, we’re looking towards a fantastic slate of shows,...

The End, the British/Australian dark comedy drama starring The Crown and Succession star Harriet Walter and Mansfield Park’s Frances O’Connor, is heading to Showtime.

The ViacomCBS-owned network has acquired the 10-episode first season of the drama, which is produced by Top of the Lake producer See-Saw Films and was a co-production between Sky and Australia’s Foxtel. Endeavor Content handled the U.S. deal.

O’Connor plays Dr Kate Brennan, an Australian-based specialist in palliative care. Euthanasia is a hot-button topic in Kate’s field of work and she is passionate in her opposition. On the other side of the world, Kate’s mother Edie Henley, played by Walter, feels just as strongly about her right to die. Kate has little choice but to ship Edie out from England and deposit her in a nearby retirement village in the Gold Coast – Edie’s worst nightmare. While Kate struggles with her own problems,...

‘Pure’ writer Kirstie Swain will write and exec-produce the eight-episode series.

Sky has unveiled a new slate of original shows for 2020, including a new series from See-Saw Films and Pure writer Kirstie Swain.

The pay-tv operator unveiled six new shows at its Up Next event at the Tate Modern in London on February 12, taking its number of originals to 80 in 2020 – 25% more than last year.

Launches include eight-episode dark comedy Sweetpea for Sky Atlantic, based on C.J. Skuse’s 2017 book, from See-Saw Films and Sky Studios.

Pure writer Kirstie Swain has penned the series, which explores how a seemingly normal...

Update: Sky has confirmed an eight-episode order.

Exclusive, October 30, 2019: Top of the Lake producer See-Saw Films is adapting C J Skuse’s novel Sweetpea for Sky Atlantic.

The company, which also makes SundanceTV’s short-form series State of the Union, is developing the comedy drama, which is described as American Psycho-meets-Fleabag, written by Pure writer Kirstie Swain. The hope is that it will turn into an eight-part order.

The book, which was published in 2017, chronicles a year in the life of an ambitious but bored young woman living and working in a small British town. By day her job as an editorial assistant is demeaning and unsatisfying, but outside of work she turns to altogether darker, grislier pursuits. Because the girl everyone overlooks might just be able to get away with murder.

Swain, who was named a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit earlier today, will write and exec produce. Swain,...

Billie Piper (Doctor Who) is to lead cast on Sky original drama I Hate Suzie.

Written by Emmy-nominee Lucy Prebble (Succession) and co-created by Piper, the series is being produced by His Dark Materials outfit Bad Wolf.

The eight-part series is described by Sky as a “bracing, funny drama about the moment in life when the mask slips”. Piper will play Suzie Pickles, a star on the wane, who has her whole life upended when her phone is hacked and a photo of her emerges in an extremely compromising position. It is due to air on Sky Atlantic and Now TV in 2020.

The show was commissioned by Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content at Sky and Cameron Roach, Director of Drama, Sky Studios. Liz Lewin is the commissioning editor for Sky and the series is co-created and executive produced by Prebble and Piper. Julie Gardner is executive producer and Andrea Dewsbery is producing,...

The scheme is open to writers, directors and producers who are Scottish residents.

Young Films Foundation’s second-annual residency on Scotland’s Isle of Skye welcomed mentors including producer Margaret Matheson, actor Joe Thomas, director Jonny Campbell, writers Olivia Hetreed (Girl With A Pearl Earring) and Francesca Gardiner and more to mentor six selected rising Scottish film and TV creatives.

Other top industry attendees included Dan MacRae (StudioCanal), Dionne Farrell (BBC Films), Celine Coulson (Film4), Isabel Davis and Sean Greenhorn from Screen Scotland, producers Beth Willis and Liz Lewin (Derry Girls).

The six participants, selected from more than 100 applicants, were:

Daisy Costello,...

Departing Sky drama chief takes senior scripted role at Svod giant.

Sky drama chief Anne Mensah is leaving the broadcaster to head UK scripted productions at Netflix.

As vice-president, content, Mensah will become the Svod platform’s point-person in the UK for high-profile scripted series, reporting to vice president of original content, Cindy Holland.

Mensah’s appointment ends a lengthy period of speculation about the role.

It is thought Netflix first approached Mensah earlier in the year and that her passion for her role at Sky meant she required some convincing to make the move.

“Throughout her career, Anne has celebrated creative freedom,...

Departing Sky drama chief takes senior scripted role at SVoD giant.

Sky drama chief Anne Mensah is leaving the broadcaster to head British scripted productions at Netflix.

As vice president, content, Mensah will become the SVoD’s point-person in the UK for high-profile scripted series, reporting to vice-president of original content Cindy Holland.

Mensah’s appointment ends a lengthy period of speculation about the role.

It is thought that Netflix first approached Mensah earlier in the year and that her passion for her role at Sky meant she required some convincing to make the move.

“Throughout her career, Anne has celebrated creative freedom,...

Cameron Roach has been tasked with creating original shows.

Sky is taking a bold step into in-house production, relieving Cameron Roach of his commissioning duties and tasking him with creating original shows.

Roach will head up Sky Studios, a dedicated drama production hub designed to forge relationships between the pay-tv broadcaster and directors, writers and producers.

As head of the division, Roach will work closely with talent on developing projects before brokering co-production deals with third parties and assuming an executive producer role. Over time, Sky Studios is expected to move towards fully producing projects.

The hub’s first co-production...

The 10-part series will start shooting in Australia in October.

UK actress Harriet Walter is set to star with Australia’s Frances O’Connor in The End, a 10-part series about three generations of a family, that wlll start shooting in Queensland in Australia in October.

See-Saw Films is producing the series, a co-production between Sky in the UK and Australia’s Foxtel. It will air on Sky Atlantic and Now TV in the UK and Ireland in 2019. Endeavour Content is selling the series internationally.

The End is written by Samatha Strauss, who co-created the hit Australian series Dance Academy,...

Harriet Walter, who appeared in “The Crown” and “Black Earth Rising,” and Frances O’Connor, who was Golden Globe nominated for “Madame Bovary” and “The Missing,” are set to star in “The End,” a co-production from pay-tv companies Sky in the U.K. and Foxtel in Australia.

The 10-part show is produced by the TV arm of See-Saw, which produced Jane Campion’s Emmy-nominated series “Top of the Lake,” and whose recent movies include Steve McQueen’s heist thriller “Widows.” See-Saw’s past movies include “The King’s Speech,” which won four Oscars, including best picture.

“The End,” described as “thought-provoking, darkly comic and full of heart” by Liz Lewin, executive producer for Sky, is about three generations of a family “with separate but intersecting obsessions – trying to figure out how to die with dignity, live with none and make it count,” according to a statement.

O’Connor plays Dr.

The Crown’s Harriet Walter and Mr Selfridge’s Frances O’Connor are set to star in The End, a family drama for Sky and Australia’s Foxtel. It is produced by The King’s Speech and Top of the Lake indie See-Saw.

The show, which will air in 2019, is about three generations of a family with separate but intersecting obsessions – trying to figure out how to die with dignity, live with none and make it count.

O’Connor plays Dr Kate Brennan, an Australian-based specialist in palliative care. Euthanasia is a hot-button topic in Kate’s field of work and she is passionate in her opposition. On the other side of the world, Kate’s mother Edie Henley, played by Walter, feels just as strongly about her right to die. Kate has little choice but to ship Edie out from England and deposit her in a nearby retirement village...

Frances O’Connor.

Frances O’Connor and Harriet Walter will star in The End, a 10-part drama co-commissioned by Foxtel and Sky UK.

As first reported by If, See-Saw Films will produce the series created and written by Samantha Strauss, with shooting starting next month on the Gold Coast, supported by Screen Queensland.

The set-up director is the Us-based Aussie Jessica M. Thompson, who made her feature directing debut with The Light of the Moon, which had its world premiere at the South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival in 2017, where it won the audience award for best narrative feature and was acquired by Amazon Video Direct. Jonathan Brough (Rosehaven) will also direct.

Produced by Louise Smith and Carol Hughes, the series will air on Foxtel’s rebranded Fox Showcase, Sky Atlantic and streaming service Now TV in the UK and Ireland next year. Endeavor is handling the rights in the rest of the world.

Kirsten Howard Jan 12, 2018

Derry Girls is only two episodes in, but Channel 4 have a hit on their hands...

Channel 4 have struck gold with their new sitcom Derry Girls.

Their biggest new comedy in almost five years, Channel 4 rushed to renew Lisa McGee's show for a second series this week, after only two episodes had aired. They went on to confirm that another six episodes are in the pipeline, and if they've got their ducks in a row, we could very well see series 2 on screen before the end of 2018.

"Derry Girls is a blast of fresh air," said Ian Katz, Director of Programmes, in a statement. "It’s everything we want from Channel 4 comedy: young, warm, brimming with new talent and rooted in an underrepresented part of the country. And a hit to boot. I’m delighted that we’ve commissioned a second series and can’t wait...

A brand new comedy series Wasted is coming to E4 which combines a gang of four twenty-something wasters, one West Country village and the ex-Lord of Winterfell!

Danny Kirrane (represented by Gordon & French) stars as the lovable fantasy fanatic Morpheus,who manages a bong shop, (Stoned Henge). A 25-year-old virgin, he’s massively into fantasy – Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, computers. He’s in love with one of his best friends, Alison, and has been since the age of about 5, he’s a bit of a loser, but he’s also got an inner strength.

Rose Reynolds (represented by Conway van Gelder Grant) plays his neurotic sister Sarah. Of the four she seems to be the one that is most likely to leave her hometown. At the beginning we find her planning to go away to India and then Kent arrives back from uni and that puts a...

It’s using some of the money released by cancelling the show for two new comedy drama series. Channel 4 paid £60-65 million in a three-year deal for the Big Brother rights. Big Brother was thought to be moving across to Five but I understand talks between producer Endemol and Five have now stalled. (Endemol declined comment.) Beaver Falls, a new 6-part show for digital channel E4, follows three British lads who con their way into an American summer camp for the ridiculously beautiful offspring of Manhattan’s rich and powerful. The camp thinks it’s getting three British blue-bloods. (Hang on, I can feel a Us remake coming on already...) The show is executive produced by Charlie Pattinson for Company Pictures (Skins, Shameless), produced by Liz Lewin and created by Iain Hollands. Naked Apes, which is being made for the main channel, is also a 6-parter about the lives,...