Yahoo Lifestyle New Regency Drives Into Europe, Acquiring Smart Genre Crime Thriller ‘Beyond’ From CBS Studios, ARD, Syrreal (EXCLUSIVE)
In a key strategic move and following some of the smart TV money in these current times, New Regency has partnered with Bravado Equity to drive into Europe, making its first European series acquisition “Beyond” (aka “Oderbruch”), one of the standout recent TV hits in Europe.
New Regency will launch “Beyond” at the London TV Screenings, its market debut taking place for invited guests on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25.
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In industry terms, prestige drama “Beyond” ticks many of the boxes for series which can made with high production values while tapping into Europe’s rich financing ecosystem.
The second series in a first-look TV deal between CBS Studios and Berlin-based Syrreal Entertainment, “Beyond” is also produced by ARD Degeto, the film production arm of Germany’s ARD, Europe’s biggest public broadcaster which is moving into ever more ambitious series such as 2024 Canneseries winner “The Zweiflers” and indeed “Beyond.”
“Beyond” is also supported by the German Motion Picture Fund and Polish Film Institute, in association with Bravado Equity.
Directed by Adolfo J. Kolmerer (“The Island,” “The Calendar Killer”) and Christian Alvart (“The Island,” “Free Country”), the mystery series kicks in with the grisly discovery of the bodies and bones of 248 murder victims left in a mound in a field in the desolate marshy expanse of Germany’s northern border with Poland.
Investigation of a serial murderer brings together former police officer Maggie Kring (Karoline Schuch, “”Tatort,” “Dark Woods”) and detective Roland Voit (Felix Kramer, Dogs of Berlin, Dark) ) after more than 20 years apart.
They are forced to confront their shared past and the truth behind the death of Maggie’s brother, which traumatizes her deeply, as the murders begin to be linked to a centuries-old legend of the “Great Hunter.”
Polished in its visuals but tensed from the get-go by a sinister electronic score, melding procedural and a shockingly incomprehensible reality, the suspense thriller builds as a potent mixture where the past also weighs heavily, in personal, historical and fantasy terms.
“Beyond” bowed on ARD Mediathek, the network’s VOD service, to seven million views in its first 10 days, a huge audience, while also winning the top prize at October’s Cadiz South Intl. Series Festival, Spain’s biggest TV fest.
Produced by Siegfried Kamml, Alvart and Timm Oberwelland, the series is written by Arend Remmers, Martin Behnke, Ronny Schalk and Alvart.
“We are thrilled to announce our first European series collaboration with such esteemed and talented production partners. ‘Beyond’ is a smart, suspenseful drama that we are really excited about bringing to international audiences,” said Samantha Cameron-Mowat, New Regency SVP, co-head international distribution
“It’s been a huge success for ARD in Germany, one of the most watched fictional series of last year, and they are currently in production on Season 2,” she added. “Non-English language programming, particularly premium scripted, continues to thrive across platforms.”
“New Regency has an incredibly well-established line-up of feature films and television programming, and we are delighted to now expand our acquisition plans to include European premium scripted series,” added Marco Arabit, SVP, co-head international distribution. “‘Beyond,’ with its fresh and original storytelling, talented cast and innovative ‘look’ is a real complement to our continually growing portfolio and fits perfectly with our New Regency brand.”
“Beyond’s” executive producers are Christoph Pellander, Sebastian Lückel and Patrick Noel Simon for Degeto Film, Meghan Lyvers and Lindsey Martin for CBS Studios and Max Breuer, Arend Remmers, Adolfo J. Kolmerer and Nils Gustenhofen for Syrreal.
Founded in 1991, New Regency’s library features iconic films and television series such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “The Revenant,” “12 Years a Slave” and “Heat.”
TV titles include the Emmy Award winning series “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” starring Donald Glover with Amazon Prime Video; the upcoming “Man on Fire,” based on AJ Quinnell’s beloved book series with Netflix; and the conspiracy thriller “Prime Target,” starring Leo Woodall, with Apple TV+.
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