7am, Thursday 22 February 2024

STV STUDIOS CONFIRMS THREE HIGH-END DRAMA SERIES COMMISSIONS FOR TWO CITIES TELEVISION

·    STV Studios outlines details of new commissions for newly consolidated production label

·    Two Cities Television to produce new drama, Amadeus, for Sky

·    A 3^rd and 4^th series of Blue Lights to be made for BBC One and iPlayer

STV Studios this week confirms three drama series commissions for its newly consolidated production label, Two Cities Television ('Two Cities').  These include two further series (3 and 4) of Belfast based, critically acclaimed police drama, Blue Lights for BBC One and iPlayer; and new drama for Sky, Amadeus.

Amadeus reunites the acclaimed writer of Giri/Haji and The Lazarus Project Joe Barton, BAFTA-winning actor Will Sharpe (Giri/Haji, The White Lotus S2) and director Julian Farino (Giri/Haji). Deftly reimagined from Peter Shaffer's award-winning stage play, Barton's adaptation of Amadeus expands and interrogates the mythic rivalry, promising a corrupting symphony of jealousy, ambition and genius. Set within the musical hub of bustling Vienna at the end of the 18th century, twenty-five-year-old Amadeus arrives in the city no longer a child and determined to carve his own path. Recently unemployed and without the management of his father, Amadeus finds an unlikely ally in a young singer who will become his wife, fiery Constanze Weber Mozart. Her connections help bring him into the orbit of the talented court composer Antonio Salieri, setting the three of them on a collision course where only one will ultimately live to tell the tale.

Blue Lights is co-created and written by Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, and is an authentic, gripping and darkly funny drama about ordinary people doing an extraordinary job. Series one, which aired in March last year, followed three new PSNI probationary recruits as they navigated their way through their first few months in a uniquely complex place to be a response police officer.  It launched to more than 7 million (BARB 28 Day 4 Screen).  The much anticipated second series airs this spring.

In January 2024, STV Studios announced that it had increased its equity stake in Two Cities from 25% to a majority 51% in a materially earnings enhancing deal.  STV confirmed that the high-end drama producer had secured revenues of £55m over the next three years and this week's news confirms the details of these series now that they have been announced by the broadcasters, Sky and BBC. 

Two Cities Television is led by joint CEOs, Michael Jackson (formerly Controller of BBC One and BBC Two, CEO of Channel 4, President of Programming at USA Entertainment and Chairman of Universal Television) and Stephen Wright (formerly Head of Drama for BBC Northern Ireland where he commissioned Line of Duty and The Fall).

David Mortimer, MD of STV Studios, said: "Last ​month, we announced our increased stake in Two Cities Television, led by the brilliant Michael Jackson and Stephen Wright, and we're now delighted to confirm the exciting projects coming up for the company.  Amadeus looks set to be an outstanding original piece for Sky; and a commitment to a further two series of Blue Lights from the BBC is testament to the quality and popularity of the show and the talent behind it."

Simon Pitts, CEO of STV Group Plc said: "STV's consolidation of Two Cities is clear evidence of the ongoing success of our Studios strategy of investing in high potential production companies. The Two Cities team are at the top of their game, as these new high end drama commissions show, and we're incredibly proud to be their partners."

Ends.

Contact: Kirstin Stevenson (STV Studios)  Kirstin.stevenson@stv.tv / 07803970106