Scripted

Keshet International (KI) announced its new collaboration with Ecosse Films, the producers of BBC One’s six part drama, The Trial of Christine Keeler. Written by award-winning screenwriter, Amanda Coe (Appletree Yard, Life in Squares, Room at the Top), this compelling series will take a fresh look at one of the most infamous British stories: the chain of events in the 1960s which came to be known as the Profumo Affair.

The Trial of Christine Keeler takes viewers behind the headlines to tell a human story about the sexual and cultural politics of one of the most revealing and iconic stories of modern times. At the centre of the storm was 19-year old Christine Keeler - a young woman whom the powerful, male-dominated establishment sought to silence and exploit, but who refused to play by their rules.

“We are committed to invest in outstanding, high-quality English-language dramas from prolific independent producers,” said Sebastian Burkhardt, SVP acquisition and digital for KI. “With the captivating story of The Trial of Christine Keeler from the UK’s Ecosse Films, which is renowned for producing first-rate and critically acclaimed content, this is testament to our intention of bringing high-profile series to our global distribution pipeline.”

Kate Triggs, Executive Producer for Ecosse Films, commented, “There has never been a better time to bring a fresh lens to these events. To put the young Christine Keeler at the heart of the story and explore how her sexuality is a currency for rich and powerful men resonates into the world we’re living in today. I am so thrilled to be working with Amanda Coe again and to have her remarkable work brought to a worldwide audience through our new relationship with Keshet International.”

The Trial of Christine Keeler, to be filmed on location in and around Bristol, was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, and Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama. Executive producers are Kate Triggs and Douglas Rae for Ecosse Films, Amanda Coe, and Lucy Richer for the BBC.

The deal between KI and Ecosse Films has been brokered by Anke Stoll, Director of Acquisitions and Co-Productions for Keshet International. This is the first project to have received investment from the KI Fund which was announced in March during the INTV Conference in Jerusalem.