Channel 5 and Acorn TV have acquired the UK and US rights respectively for new Irish crime drama series Blood. The six-part mini-series will air on Virgin Media TV in Ireland this autumn.
Blood stars Carolina Main (Unforgotten) as Cat Hogan, an isolated woman on the run from her past, a past she is forced to confront when the sudden ‘accidental’ death of her mother, Mary, draws her back to the family she has spent the last ten years trying to avoid. Her suspicions start to mount against her father when she begins to notice discrepancies in his stories. BAFTA nominee Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty) plays her father, with support from Diarmuid Noyes (Five Minutes of Heaven), Gráinne Keenan (Black Mirror), Cillian Ó Gairbhí (Vikings), and Mark O’Regan (The Commitments).
The series is written by Sophie Petzal (Red Rock, The Last Kingdom, Riviera) and produced by Jonathan Fisher (Midsomer Murders, Lewis) for Company Pictures in association with Element Pictures.
The deal was struck with All3Media International, which is part owned by Virgin Media TV’s parent company Liberty Global. Acorn has previously aired RTÉ dramas Striking Out and Acceptable Risk, and will next air Treasure Entertainment’s Finding Joy. Acorn is part of RLJ Entertainment, who have released Irish films Pilgrimage and I Kill Giants in the US.
We’re thrilled to partner again with our friends at All3media international on another high-quality drama production. Delivering a new and exciting take on the crime genre, Blood boasts a stellar line-up of talent both on- and off-screen, ensuring it is perfectly in line with the first-rate dramas we’re bringing to Acorn TV’s subscribers every month.
Catherine Mackin, Managing Director – Acorn Media Enterprises
This announcement underlines our ambition to diversify the schedule and deliver high quality drama to the channel. With a talented cast headed by Adrian Dunbar, thrilling storylines and the drama expertise of Company Pictures, Blood will appeal to UK audiences.
Ben Frow, Director of Programmes, Channel 5
We’re very pleased to welcome Acorn onboard as a key production partner on this fantastic new drama. Our collaboration on Blood continues All3Media International and Acorn’s strong ongoing relationship, which has already resulted in a wealth of high-profile UK-produced drama airing on Acorn TV. In addition, partnering with Channel 5 is another fantastic step on the drama’s international journey. The Virgin Media UK window further endorses its appeal.
Stephen Driscoll, EVP EMEA – All3Media International