Scripted

Leading independent distributor Hat Trick International (HTI) today confirmed a raft of international sales for gripping thriller Bloodlands following MIP-TV. A second series, with an increased number of six episodes, has already been commissioned following impressive viewing figures throughout the UK on BBC1.

The chilling crime drama is set to captivate audiences globally following sales to 25 countries including Canal+ France, RTE Ireland, Sony Pictures Entertainment’s AXN Mystery Japan, SBS Australia, VRT Belgium, C-More Scandinavia, NPO Netherlands, with AMC Networks’ streaming service Acorn TV securing the series for the US and Canada.

Bloodlands (4 x 60’) the first drama series produced by newly formed production company Hat Trick Mercurio Television (HTM), stars James Nesbitt (The Missing, Cold Feet). The series is created and written by Chris Brandon and executive produced by award-winning, acclaimed showrunner Jed Mercurio (Line of Duty) and Mark Redhead (The Secret).

Sarah Tong, Director of Sales at Hat Trick International, comments, “Bloodlands has certainly captured the interest of global buyers with its exceptionally taught plot twists and impeccable acting performances. We are very pleased to have a second series in the works to offer our clients who we know will be eager to have even more episodes for their viewers.”

When an expensive car containing a suicide note – but no body – is pulled from the sea, veteran Northern Ireland police detective Tom Brannick (Nesbitt) instantly sees the connection to an infamous cold case that holds enormous personal significance for him – a notorious and long-buried series of mysterious disappearances.

Bloodlands follows Tom Brannick’s obsessive campaign to identify and unmask the legendary figure behind these events – an assassin code-named Goliath, after the giant shipyard cranes, Samson and Goliath that dominate the Belfast skyline. It’s a case that comes from the dark past.

Joining James Nesbitt in the drama are Lisa Dwan (Top Boy, Trust), Lorcan Cranitch (Fortitude, The Dig), Charlene McKenna (Ripper Street, Vienna Blood), Ian McElhinney (Derry Girls, Game of Thrones), Lola Petticrew (My Left Nut, Come Home), Chris Walley (The Young Offenders, 1917), Michael Smiley (Luther, Death and Nightingales), Kathy Kiera Clarke (Derry Girls, The Pale Horse) and Susan Lynch (Happy Valley, Save Me).

Bloodlands is directed by Pete Travis (Omagh, The Go-Between) and produced by Christopher Hall (The Durrells, Critical). Executive Producers are Jed Mercurio, Mark Redhead and Jimmy Mulville for HTM Television and Tommy Bulfin for The BBC. The series was commissioned for BBC One by Piers Wenger and Charlotte Moore.