or


[10/31/18 - 07:00 AM]
BBC America Greenlights Original Scripted Series "The Watch"
The eight-episode series is based on Sir Terry Pratchett's wildly popular "Discworld" novels, which have sold more than 90 million books worldwide.

[via press release from BBC America]

BBC AMERICA GREENLIGHTS ORIGINAL SCRIPTED SERIES "THE WATCH"

New Punk Rock Thriller is Based on Sir Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" Novels

New York - October 31, 2018 - On the heels of hit series Killing Eve and the introduction of the first female Doctor on Doctor Who, BBC AMERICA announced today the greenlight of the new original scripted series, The Watch, based on Sir Terry Pratchett's wildly popular "Discworld" novels, which have sold more than 90 million books worldwide. The (8 x 60) series is produced by BBC Studios for BBC AMERICA. The Watch is distributed by BBC Studios.

The Watch is a punk rock thriller inspired by the legendary 'City Watch' subset of "Discworld" novels. This disruptive, character-driven thriller centers on Terry Pratchett's misfit cops as they fight to save a ramshackle city of normalized wrongness, from both the past and future in a perilous quest. Modern and inclusive, The Watch features many famous "Discworld" creations including City Watch Captain Sam Vimes, the last scion of nobility Lady Sybil Ramkin, the naïve but heroic Carrot, the mysterious Angua and the ingenious non-binary forensics expert Cheery together with Terry Pratchett's iconic characterization of Death.

The Watch was commissioned for BBC AMERICA by President and GM Sarah Barnett, and Nena Rodrigue, EVP of Original Programming, Acquisitions and Production. Co-produced with Narrativia and written by Simon Allen (The Musketeers, Das Boot and New Tricks), The Watch is executive produced by Hilary Salmon (Luther, Silent Witness and Three Girls), Ben Donald for BBC Studios and Rob Wilkins for Narrativia. Phil Collinson (Doctor Who) also joins the team as executive producer.

"The Watch has been startlingly reimagined for television by writer Simon Allen, while still cleaving to the humor, heart and ingenuity of Terry Pratchett's incomparably original work," commented BBC AMERICA President, Sarah Barnett. "BBC AMERICA embraces what's fresh and exhilarating in TV; we believe The Watch will astonish audiences."

Writer Simon Allen said: "With events in our own world making the insanity of 'Discworld' seem outrageously familiar, there couldn't be a better time to bring Terry's fun, fire and fury back to the small screen or a better place than BBC AMERICA. I'm grateful to them, BBC Studios and especially Rob Wilkins at Narrativia who has been a constant source of inspiration on this epic and emotional journey."

Hilary Salmon, Executive Producer and Head of BBC Studios Drama Production London, said: "The Watch is a distinctly British but defiantly global exhilarating thriller that is disruptive in its approach to the fantasy genre and also big on the themes of mortality, inclusion, alternative facts and justice. It's a dizzying riot of hope, joy, suspense and audaciously dark humor. We can't wait to work with BBC AMERICA to bring it all to life for existing fans and brand new audiences."

Rob Wilkins, Executive Producer and Managing Director of Narrativia, said: "Many years ago Terry made the brave decision to allow brand new Watch stories to be told with his existing characters. It's taken a long time for anything to happen because we guard these characters with our very lives! So many of Terry's biggest ideas seem more vital and urgent now than ever before and I am thrilled to be working with Simon and such a talented team, who understand the unique genius of their creator. They have really keyed into the subversive qualities of Terry's voice and they clearly adore 'Discworld' as much as I and millions of fans around the world do."

The new series joins an outstanding offering of original scripted programming at BBC AMERICA including the Emmy(R)-nominated Killing Eve starring Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer, the iconic series Doctor Who starring Jodie Whittaker, and the Golden Globe(R)-winning Luther starring Idris Elba.

BBC Studios produces multi-award-winning dramas loved by audiences around the world, including Doctor Who, Luther and War and Peace. It works with the best established and new drama talent, from writers and directors to on-screen talent, to create original, bold and ambitious British drama. BBC Studios is also making Good Omens, based on the Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman novel, co-produced with Narrativia, The Blank Corporation and Amazon.

NOTES TO EDITORS

BBC AMERICA is a hub of innovative, culturally contagious programming including the critically acclaimed series Killing Eve starring Emmy(R)-nominee Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer and from Emmy(R)-nominee Phoebe Waller-Bridge; top-rated phenomenon Doctor Who starring Jodie Whittaker; Emmy(R) and IDA-winning Planet Earth II and the producers' next epic story of our planet, Dynasties; Emmy(R)-winning Blue Planet II; acclaimed drama Luther starring Golden Globe(R)-winner Idris Elba; ground-breaking unscripted series Top Gear; buzzy and hilarious The Graham Norton Show; and the world's biggest darts championships. A joint venture between BBC Studios (the commercial arm of the BBC) and AMC Networks, BBCA's influential shows such as Orphan Black and Broadchurch, among many others, have attracted critical acclaim and earned Emmy(R) Awards, Peabody Awards, Critics' Choice Awards, TCA Awards and Golden Globes(R). Created in 1998, the irrepressible network has garnered one of cable's most curious, educated and affluent audiences, with many properties boasting super-fan levels of engagement. Get caught up, BBCA offers full episodes On Demand across all major digital platforms, BBC AMERICA app and bbcamerica.com. Find out more by visiting press.bbcamerica.com. BBCA on social: YouTube - Twitter - Instagram - Facebook - Tumblr - Snapchat: BBCAmerica_TV

ABOUT BBC STUDIOS

BBC Studios, a global content company with British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group. Formed in April 2018 by the merger of BBC Worldwide and BBC Studios, it spans content financing, development, production, sales, branded services and ancillaries. BBC Studios' award-winning British programmes are internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms. It has offices in 22 markets globally, including seven production bases in the UK, and a further nine wholly-owned and production partnerships internationally. The company, which makes 2500 hours of content a year, is a champion for British creativity around the world and a committed partner for the UK's independent sector. BBC Studios has revenue of �1.4bn, and returns around �200m to the BBC Group annually, complementing the BBC's licence fee and enhancing programmes for UK audiences. twitter.com/bbcstudios

ABOUT THE WRITER

Simon Allen is the showrunner of The Watch, an irreverent 8 x '60 remix of Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" novels for BBC AMERICA. He recently served as a writer/producer on the remake of Das Boot for Sky Atlantic and Sonar Entertainment having been a showrunner on The Musketeers for BBC One. He has worked on multiple high-profile shows including Strike Back for Sky/HBO, Frank Spotnitz's Hunted for BBC One/HBO, and Spotless for Canal Plus/Netflix.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Terry Pratchett was the acclaimed creator of the global bestselling "Discworld" series, the first of which was published in 1983. With more than 90 million books sold worldwide, translated into 38 languages, Pratchett's writing has created a literary phenomenon across the globe. His books have been widely adapted for stage and screen, and he was the winner of multiple prizes and accolades, including the Carnegie Medal, and the award of a Knighthood for services to literature. He died in March 2015.

ABOUT NARRATIVIA

Narrativia is an independent production company, launched in 2012 by Sir Terry Pratchett. The company owns and controls the exclusive multimedia and merchandising rights to all of Sir Terry's works, including his "Discworld" characters and creations. The company is headed by Managing Director Rob Wilkins and celebrated writer Rhianna Pratchett.





  [october 2018]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· WATCH, THE (BBC AMERICA)





[03/14/25 - 03:01 PM]
"Percy Jackson and the Olympians" Renewed for Third Season on Disney+
The announcement was made today by Disney Branded Television and 20th Television, ahead of the series' second season debut, coming to Disney+ this December.

[03/14/25 - 09:31 AM]
Return of AMC's "Dark Winds" Attracts 2.2 Million Premiere Night Viewers
On AMC+, the series continued its trajectory of viewership growth every season, with the season three premiere up more than 50 percent in viewership over season two, and doubling subscriber acquisition over the previous season.

[03/14/25 - 09:09 AM]
The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards to Feature Special Appearances Airing Monday, March 17 on FOX
Additionally, Gracie Abrams will also receive the 2025 iHeartRadio Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award.

[03/14/25 - 06:31 AM]
Believe! Apple's Emmy Award-Winning "Ted Lasso" Renewed for Season Four
Jason Sudeikis will reprise his award-winning role as the celebrated coach Ted Lasso.

[03/14/25 - 04:00 AM]
Video: "Married to the Game" Season 2 - Official Trailer
Access all areas to life behind the beautiful game by following the lives and careers of the wives and girlfriends of footballers.

[03/13/25 - 06:32 PM]
Video: "Gannibal" - Season 2 Official Trailer - Hulu
Return to the Kuge Village with police offer Daigo Agawa as he tries to uncover the horrifying, dark truth that the village has held to secrecy.

[03/13/25 - 06:01 PM]
Video: Get a Glimpse of the Epic Battles in First Look at "Record of Ragnarok III" Teaser Trailer
The 13 one-on-one battles for the survival of humanity between representatives of gods and humans from across the entire world begin yet again.

[03/13/25 - 01:30 PM]
NBC Orders "Stumble" Comedy Pilot
The mockumentary project is about the ridiculously high stakes competitive world of junior college cheer.

[03/13/25 - 12:06 PM]
Video: Apple Original Films Unveils the "F1" Movie Trailer
The film stars Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Kim Bodnia.

[03/13/25 - 12:02 PM]
ABC News' "20/20" Limited Series "Bad Romance" Returns for Second Season, Tuesday, March 25, on ABC and Next Day on Hulu
Ryan Smith hosts the eight-episode series that delves into the harrowing stories of individuals who lost their lives at the hands of those who once vowed to love them forever and examines the devastating consequences of obsession and manipulation, exposing the dark side of love.

[03/13/25 - 10:29 AM]
Mother Knows Best Is Put to the Test in OWN's New Love & Relationship Series "#Somebody's Son"
The series follows three charming, single and successful men as they embark on a high stakes search for true love, looking for a lasting partner amongst a group of exceptional single women.

[03/13/25 - 10:19 AM]
ESPN NBA Schedule Update: Miami Heat to Host Detroit Pistons on March 19
It replaces the previously scheduled New Orleans Pelicans vs. Minnesota Timberwolves matchup.

[03/13/25 - 10:05 AM]
Daniel Radcliffe Cast in NBC's Tracy Morgan Comedy Pilot
Radcliffe plays Arthur Tobin, an award-winning filmmaker who moves into Reggie's (Tracy Morgan) mansion to film an immersive documentary about the former star running back.

[03/13/25 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Black Mirror" Season 7 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Lose your mind. Lose your reality. The Emmy Award winning series returns with six new stories. Nothing is as it seems.

[03/13/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: Starz Sets June 6 Return for "BMF" Season Four and Teases "WTF Happened in Mexico?"
The announcement comes with a new action-packed teaser showcasing life-and-death stakes as the Flenory brothers expand their business and confirms the fourth season will explore the fallout from a chaotic and relationship-altering mission in Mexico.