Leading UK-based distributor Sphere Abacus (SA) has officially secured distribution rights for an exciting new programming slate from the Emmy Award-winning Night Train Media.
The deal includes three highly anticipated titles: the scripted drama The Hairdresser Mysteries, the gripping series The Trio, and the fascinating documentary Ian Fleming and the Curse of James Bond.
As part of the agreement, Sphere Abacus holds worldwide distribution rights for The Hairdresser Mysteries and Ian Fleming and the Curse of James Bond (excluding the UK and Ireland). For The Trio, the distributor will handle global sales with the exception of the Nordics and the Netherlands. This strategic partnership further strengthens SA’s international portfolio, bringing high-quality European storytelling to the global market.
The Hairdresser Mysteries (6 x one hour), a Mill Bay Media production for BBC, stars Sally Phillips (Veep, Bridget Jones’s Diary) in this feel-good, fun and life-affirming mystery series where small-town gossip leads to big-time sleuthing.
The Trio (6 x half hour) is based on the bestselling novel by Johanna Hedman and is produced by SF Studios for SkyShowtime. It is a story about love, sex and passion – a reflection of the meaning of life and the relentless passage of time. Starring Felix Sandman (Quicksand, Last Light), August Wittgenstein (Das Boot, Faithless), Seth Manteus, Nina Zanjani and Rebecka Harper.
Ian Fleming and the Curse of James Bond (1 x 91’ – also available as 2 x 45’), directed by Adam Low and produced by Embankment Films and Lone Star Productions for Sky Arts, uncovers the myth of the genius, Ian Fleming. Connecting Fleming’s novels, the ‘Bond’ feature films and rare archive footage of Fleming and his era, brings depth, glamour and excitement to the documentary, with contributions from Ralph Fiennes, William Boyd, Kate Mosse, Nicholas Shakespeare and Marlon James including readings by Helena Bonham Carter.
These new titles will complement Night Train Media’s award-winning series in the Sphere Abacus catalogue, including Deadline (4 x one hour) Clapperboard Studios; Catch Me A Killer (10 x one hour) Fired Up Films, CMAK Limited; Vikings: The Rise and Fall (6 x one hour) and Conquistadors: The Rise and Fall (6 x one hour) Dash Pictures, and Missile From The East (1 x 90’) Silvergnome, Embankment Films.
Herbert L. Kloiber, CEO, Night Train Media comments “Following the recent restructures with Night Train Media, we are excited to be working once again with Sphere Abacus to bring both our new and existing series to the international market. Their strong track record and global reach make them the perfect distribution partner.”
Sphere Abacus’ Managing Director, Jonathan Ford adds “We’re delighted to continue our collaboration with Night Train Media. Their commitment and creative vision for high-quality productions embody the type of programming we represent.”
The Hairdresser Mysteries is a crime drama set in a picturesque, charming northern village. It is long-time London stylist Lily Petal (Sally Phillips) who becomes the town’s ear – there’s something about a salon chair that makes people want to reveal all! In her brand-new salon, styled like a 1970’s-time capsule, Lily finds herself at the heart of the community unravelling local murder mysteries.
Of course she couldn’t do it without the help of her loyal band of eccentric villagers. Also stars Charlotte Jordan and Ben Castle-Gibb. The series is created by Jim Cartwright, written by Jim Cartwright, David Semple and Mark Catley and directed by Paul Gibson, Jermain Julien and Tracey Larcombe. Produced by Mill Bay Media.
The Trio – When middle-aged Hugo is approached by the daughter of both his childhood loves, he is immediately thrown twenty years back in time to when, about to embark on his first year at university, he moved to Stockholm to live with the Stiller family. Here he meets Thora Stiller and her constant companion and occasional lover, August, and is plunged into a complex and passionate dynamic which alters the course of his life forever.
Two decades later Hugo remains haunted by the past – will he finally dare to reclaim everything he lost? The Trio is written by Veronica Zacco, directed by Anders Hazelius and produced by SF Studios in co-production with SkyShowtime, SVT, Film Stockholm and ZDF.
Ian Fleming and the Curse of James Bond explores the enduring appeal of the world Fleming created and how the books and the character of James Bond reflect his own life and the top-secret Naval Intelligence operations in which he played a leading part during World War II. Fleming’s enormous success as a writer led him to the edge of a precipice.
Like one of the duels to the death in his books he tried to rid himself of 007, only to find that Bond always struck back. The film establishes the importance of Jamaica in Fleming’s life; all the James Bond books were written at ‘Goldeneye’, his house on the island. Produced by Martin Rosenbaum and Nick Taussig and directed by Adam Low.
