AMC Networks’ newest original series to premiere in Sundance Channel Territories
March 4, 2013
AMC/Sundance Channel Global is strengthening its slate of high quality scripted programming by securing exclusive premiere window rights to Rectify. This highly anticipated new original series from AMC Networks and Gran Via, the producers of Breaking Bad, will premiere on Sundance Channel during Spring 2013. AMC/Sundance Global has struck a deal to secure these rights from ITV Studios Global Entertainment for Asia, Latin America and select European territories including France, Iberia, Benelux and CEE.
Rectify star Abigail Spencer will attend Cable Congress 2013 in London and unveil the series at an exclusive screening event.
The Rectify acquisition complements Sundance Channel’s current line-up of global hits from AMC Networks, including Mad Men, The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad and Hell on Wheels. The news follows recent distribution deals across Europe and Asia for Sundance Channel’s linear and VoD services.
“AMC Networks has become one of the most successful producers of original content in the world. Our global rollout of Sundance Channel’s highly anticipated series Rectify reflects our commitment to meeting the increased demand for more distinctive, compelling programming across platforms,” commented Bruce Tuchman, President, AMC/Sundance Channel Global. “With an expanding global footprint and advanced rights offerings, we are confident that Rectify and our other hit series will continue to bring in large numbers of subscribers and enthusiastic audiences.”
Tobi de Graaff, Director of Global Television Distribution, ITV Studios Global Entertainment, said: “Rectify is a high-quality drama with international appeal, combining distinctive storytelling, an award-winning production team and a talented cast. We’re delighted to have secured the first over-arching pay window deal for the show and look forward to announcing further acquisitions from broadcasters around the world.”
The story of Rectify will appeal to fans of character-driven series seen on AMC Networks’ services around the world. When Daniel Holden (played by Aden Young) is released after nearly 20 years of complete isolation on death row, he returns as an outsider to his family, to his community, and to the times. Somehow, he survived the mental and emotional strain of his imprisonment, but now the walls have suddenly come crumbling down and Daniel is set free in a world he no longer understands. He’s an outsider, lost in a once familiar world, struggling to navigate his newfound freedom. Combined with two decades of technological and social changes to his small town and the larger world, everything he encounters is a puzzle.
Rectify boasts strong on and off screen talent. Starring alongside Aden Young (Killer Elite, The Tree) are Abigail Spencer (Cowboys and Aliens, Oz the Great and Powerful), who portrays Amantha Holden, Daniel Holden’s younger sister who believes completely in his innocence and has devoted her entire adult life to securing his release; J. Smith Cameron (“True Blood,” Margaret), who plays Janet Talbot, Daniel’s loving mother, who for 19 years has been living with the impending death of her son and who long ago had made peace with the loss of her son, giving up on any hope for his release; Luke Kirby (Take this Waltz, “Slings and Arrows”) tackles the role of Jon Stern, Daniel’s lawyer who works for an organization dedicated to exonerating the wrongfully convicted; Clayne Crawford (A Walk to Remember) portrays Ted Talbot, Jr., Daniel’s stepbrother whom he has never previously met; Adelaide Clemens (Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, The Great Gatsby) plays Tawney Talbot.
The hour-long drama was created and written by Ray McKinnon (The Accountant, That Evening Sun, Mud) who serves as executive producer on the project under his shingle Zip Works. Gran Via’s Mark Johnson (Rain Man, The Notebook, The Chronicles of Narnia) and Melissa Bernstein will also serve as executive producers. This marks the second project for Johnson and Bernstein with AMC Networks. The first is AMC’s Emmy Award®-winning series, “Breaking Bad.”
The 6×60’ series has been secured from ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) who hold worldwide international distribution rights for Rectify.