Amazon and Sky Greenlight Original Dramatic Series Britannia
Currently in production and set for a 2017 debut, Sky and Amazon’s
first co-production is written by the multi-award winning Jez
Butterworth and stars Kelly Reilly, David Morrissey and Zoe Wanamaker;
Series will launch exclusively to Prime members in the US
SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–(NASDAQ: AMZN)—Amazon and Sky today announced it has added Britannia
to its lineup of dramatic Amazon Original Series in the US and Sky
Original Dramas in the UK. Britannia is written by the
multi-award winning Jez
Butterworth (Jerusalem, Spectre) and stars Kelly
Reilly (True Detective, Sherlock Holmes), David
Morrissey (The Walking Dead, The Hollow Crown) and Zoe
Wanamaker (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, My Family).
Filmed completely abroad, Britannia is set in 43AD as the Roman
Imperial Army, determined and terrified in equal measure, returns to
crush the Celtic heart of Britannia, a mysterious land ruled by wild
warrior women and powerful Druids who can channel the powerful forces of
the underworld. Britannia is scheduled to premiere on Sky 1 in
the UK and Ireland, and on Prime Video in the U.S. in 2017.
“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Sky on this series entirely
produced overseas,” said Roy Price, Vice President, Digital Video and
Amazon Studios. “Our customers will experience a cinematic world with
bold characters anchored in a ruthless period of history.”
“This is one of the most ambitious dramas we’ve ever made and one of the
most exciting,” said Anne Mensah, Sky’s Head of Drama. “Jez Butterworth
has written an incredible drama that is entertaining and emotional but
also asks important questions about what drives men and women to stand
and fight; this is a battle for the heart of Britain like you’ve never
seen before.”
Britannia is produced by Rick
McCallum (Star Wars) and executive produced by Vertigo
Films’ James Richardson (Monsters, Bronson) with Pippa
Harris and Nicolas
Brown from Neal
Street Productions (Penny Dreadful, Call the Midwife) and Anne
Thomopolous (Rome, Band of Brothers). The series is written
by Jez
and Tom
Butterworth (Fortitude, Tin Star) with Richard
McBrien (Spooks, Merlin).
In the US, Britannia adds to a growing roster of dramatic Amazon
Original Series, including The Man in the High Castle, Bosch and Hand
of God, as well as upcoming series Goliath, Good Girls Revolt,
Sneaky Pete and Patriot. In the UK, Britannia joins 12
original drama series already on air or set to air over the next couple
of years on Sky Atlantic and Sky 1 including The Young Pope, Hooten &
The Lady, Guerrilla, Tin Star, Delicious, Riviera, Jamestown and The
Last Dragonslayer, as well as returning series including Fortitude
and Agatha Raisin. The news also follows a successful year for
Sky original drama, with BAFTA nominations for The Last Panthers
and The Enfield Haunting and record-breaking audiences for Stan
Lee’s Lucky Man on Sky 1.
The international distribution rights (excluding the US) for Britannia
will be handled by Sky Vision, Sky’s international production and
distribution arm. WME and Sky Vision negotiated the deal with Amazon.
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About Sky
Sky is Europe’s leading entertainment company, serving 21 million
customers across five countries: UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and
Italy. We offer the best and broadest range of content, deliver
market-leading customer service and use innovative new technology to
give customers a better TV experience, whenever and wherever they choose.
Sky has annual revenues of over £11 billion and is Europe’s leading
investor in television content with a combined programming budget of
£4.9 billion. The group employs 30,000 people and is listed on the
London Stock Exchange (SKY).
For more information visit www.sky.com/corporate
Contacts
Amazon.com,
Inc.
Media Hotline: 206-266-7180
www.amazon.com/pr
