ITV unveils slate of factual commissions for ITVX
August 24, 2022
ITV has announced a slate of factual commissions for ITVX, its new streaming platform set to launch later this year.
“We’re excited about the opportunity ITVX presents for us and with our commissioning we want to broaden the palette of factual in very different and surprising ways. Documentary box sets with directorial ambition, on a diverse range of subjects, lead our developing slate; alongside series from new factual talent, including Laura Whitmore Investigates, which we are delighted to announce. This is just the beginning of a range of new opportunities as the world of Factual opens up on ITVX, with much more to come.”
The commissions are:
Rolf Harris: Hiding in Plain Sight (w/t)
This documentary box set for ITVX will examine the shocking truth behind how former national treasure Rolf Harris betrayed the trust of the nation and hid in plain sight whilst sexually abusing children and young women for years.
Made by Optomen, the 2×60 series will speak to Harris’ victims, the police who investigated him and colleagues who worked alongside him to tell the story of his rise and fall.
The Royal Family [w/t]
The behind the scenes story of the world’s most famous family is told through the perspective of the major personal challenges that faced the Queen and the monarchy throughout her reign. Rare archive footage is set against revealing new interviews with key figures – some of whom have never previously spoken on camera – to compelling effect as viewers see the images played out to the world during historic moments, while hearing the inside story offering insight into The Queen’s perspective at the time.
Produced by 72 Films, makers of the acclaimed Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty and 9/11: One Day In America, across five hour long episodes, this epic box set series will provide a rare insight into The Queen’s personal experience of navigating the events that shaped her family’s fortunes and the history of the UK over the decades of her reign.
A Year on Planet Earth
Showcasing the many wonders of the world, A Year on Planet Earth, will reveal the incredible ways in which all life is connected and how massive natural events affect the lives of individual animals as the earth makes its annual journey around the sun.
Filmed in over sixty different locations this epic documentary series will draw on the most spellbinding and dramatic stories from all corners of the globe. Featuring a story arc across the seasons, A Year on Planet Earth, is set to draw viewers in over a number of episodes, unfolding like a drama.
Narrated by acclaimed actor, author and comedian, Stephen Fry, this unique series is produced by Plimsoll Productions for ITVX. The series is from multi award-winning blue-chip natural history team, comprising Tom Hugh-Jones (Tiny World, Planet Earth II) and Dr Martha Holmes (Blue Planet, Hostile Planet).
A Murder In the Family
Each stand alone film in this new true crime series investigates three shocking murders, where the victim and perpetrator are family, telling stories of ordinary relationships that take extraordinary and ultimately tragic turns.
Using found footage – from victim’s social media videos and police bodycam film, text messages or call recordings, each story is pieced together from the victim’s point of view, without voiceover, allowing the victim, friends and family to tell their stories in their own immediate and intimate way.
From Knickerbockerglory TV, the makers of Netlix’s most watched documentary, American Murder: the Family Next Door, this new series for ITVX provides a vivid insight into the nature of murders committed within families and the impact on those left behind.
Laura Whitmore Investigates
Laura Whitmore takes on a series of controversial issues in immersive, investigative films for ITVX, which will see her using her journalism skills to reveal new insights on each subject. The first two investigations in the series will be produced by Rumpus Media. Executive Producer is Fintan Maguire.
Social Media Murders returns and Olivia Attwood back with new series
Following the success of the first series on ITV2, ITV Factual Entertainment have recommissioned a new series of Social Media Murders for ITVX.
This true-crime series exploring shocking cases that resulted in the murder of a young person, where in each instance, social media brought the culprit and the victim together, was ITV2’s biggest programme on ITV Hub after Love Island, in 2021.
Providing a compelling yet cautionary insight into the experiences of young people affected by disturbing 21st century crime, the initial three films put the victim at the centre of the narrative alongside material obtained from social media accounts and mobile phones which immersed viewers in the events as they unfolded.
The three films in the first series were made by Firecracker Films, Crackit Productions, and Knickerbockerglory Productions. There will be five new films in the second series, which will premiere on ITVX.
Following the success of her recent ITV2 show, Olivia Attwood: Getting Filthy Rich, which explores online sex, and is the second biggest series on the ITV Hub in 2022 after Love Island, Olivia will now immerse herself in an even more cash-crazed industry – and one which she, herself, is no stranger to. The series is produced by Optomen Television.