Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Sept 14, 2014 8:06:42 GMT -6
variety.com/2014/digital/news/amc-to-replace-xbox-entertainment-studios-on-humans-series-1201304811/
AMC Networks is finalizing a deal to come on board Xbox Entertainment Studios’ sci-fi series “Humans,” a co-production with U.K. broadcaster Channel Four and Shine Group-owned Kudos.
While AMC declined to officially comment on its support of the series, the cabler already has shared its involvement with potential castmembers, given that the series is being prepped for an October start date, Variety has confirmed. The eight-episode series must go into production soon, considering it is contractually set to premiere in 2015, most likely during the summer.
Having a network like AMC on board now makes it a little easier to lock down a cast, and ensure potential actors — said to include a mix of notable British and American names — that the series will indeed be see the light of day.
“Humans” is based on the Swedish series “Real Humans” and revolves around humans living with robot servants, and the impact the synthetic beings have on their owners’ lives.
Jane Featherstone (“Life on Mars,” “Broadchurch”) and Derek Wax (“The Hour,” “Sex Traffic”) are producing the series, written by Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley (“Spooks”). Shine-owned Kudos (“The Hour,” “Utopia” and “Broadchurch”) is overseeing the production. Shine International will handle distribution.
There was some unease up until now, given that Microsoft is winding down Xbox Entertainment Studios, and as a result, losing one of the show’s primary distributors, especially in the U.S.
XES and Channel Four were to share distribution of the show in the U.S. and abroad.
But Microsoft said in July it will close Xbox Entertainment Studios as the company wants the Xbox division to focus more on making games.
As part of its deal with Microsoft, AMC will take over the project from XES, with “Humans” one of the Microsoft’s first high-profile scripted series to be given the greenlight by Nancy Tellem and Jordan Levin. Two others are based on “Halo,” with one produced by Ridley Scott and another by Steven Spielberg and Showtime.
Tellem and Levin will no longer be involved with the project, and “Humans” also won’t stream on Xbox Live, as previously planned.
Microsoft declined to comment.
AMC Networks is finalizing a deal to come on board Xbox Entertainment Studios’ sci-fi series “Humans,” a co-production with U.K. broadcaster Channel Four and Shine Group-owned Kudos.
While AMC declined to officially comment on its support of the series, the cabler already has shared its involvement with potential castmembers, given that the series is being prepped for an October start date, Variety has confirmed. The eight-episode series must go into production soon, considering it is contractually set to premiere in 2015, most likely during the summer.
Having a network like AMC on board now makes it a little easier to lock down a cast, and ensure potential actors — said to include a mix of notable British and American names — that the series will indeed be see the light of day.
“Humans” is based on the Swedish series “Real Humans” and revolves around humans living with robot servants, and the impact the synthetic beings have on their owners’ lives.
Jane Featherstone (“Life on Mars,” “Broadchurch”) and Derek Wax (“The Hour,” “Sex Traffic”) are producing the series, written by Sam Vincent and Jonathan Brackley (“Spooks”). Shine-owned Kudos (“The Hour,” “Utopia” and “Broadchurch”) is overseeing the production. Shine International will handle distribution.
There was some unease up until now, given that Microsoft is winding down Xbox Entertainment Studios, and as a result, losing one of the show’s primary distributors, especially in the U.S.
XES and Channel Four were to share distribution of the show in the U.S. and abroad.
But Microsoft said in July it will close Xbox Entertainment Studios as the company wants the Xbox division to focus more on making games.
As part of its deal with Microsoft, AMC will take over the project from XES, with “Humans” one of the Microsoft’s first high-profile scripted series to be given the greenlight by Nancy Tellem and Jordan Levin. Two others are based on “Halo,” with one produced by Ridley Scott and another by Steven Spielberg and Showtime.
Tellem and Levin will no longer be involved with the project, and “Humans” also won’t stream on Xbox Live, as previously planned.
Microsoft declined to comment.