Joanna Scanlan Takes Lead in ‘Missed Call’
Renowned for her roles in Slow Horses and A Very Royal Scandal, Joanna Scanlan is set to headline the suspenseful five-part series Missed Call (a working title). She will be joined by an impressive cast including Claire Keim (known from Vise le Coeur and Menace sur Kermadec), Rupert Graves (famous for his roles in Sherlock and The Burning Girls), François-Xavier Demaison (Disparue, Le Négociateur), and Robert Lindsay (Sherwood, Generation Z). The series is a production by Pernel Media based in Paris and London, commissioned by the Paramount-owned network 5 in collaboration with ITV Studios. Set in a charming French village, the plot centers around Sarah, a British single mother whose daughter vanishes during a school exchange trip after a late-night attempt to contact her mother. Facing neglect from the local authorities and the host family, Sarah embarks on a perilous journey to find her daughter, racing against time. “The first page alone of Missed Call was utterly captivating,” Scanlan commented. “It’s a profound depiction of every mother’s deepest fears, set in a location that is both breathtakingly beautiful and eerily disquieting.” The show has been greenlit by Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer at Paramount UK, and Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor for 5. Samuel Kissous, President of Pernel, is executive producing, while Matthew Thomas serves as the lead writer and co-creator. Additional script contributions come from Sally Abbott and Paul Matthew Thompson, with Sheree Folkson directing. ITV Studios manages international distribution and has secured a pre-sale with the French network Group TF1.
‘Death Valley’ Expands Reach to Over 100 Markets
BritBox has acquired the North American and Australian rights to the BBC’s light-hearted crime series Death Valley. Distributed by BBC Studios, this comedic mystery features Timothy Spall as the quirky retired actor John Chapel and Gwyneth Keyworth as the clever Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan. The series has been sold to over 100 territories, as reported before the MIPCOM market. Among the notable purchasers are Mystery Channel in Japan, Coupang in Korea, Cosmo in Spain, Cosmote TV in Greece, and TVNZ in New Zealand. Created by Paul Doolan of Trollied fame, the six-part series follows the odd couple as they solve weekly murder mysteries across Wales, leveraging their divergent instincts. A second season is currently in production. “We are certain it will continue to be embraced globally — it’d be a crime to assume otherwise,” stated Janet Brown, BBC Studios President of Global Content Sales. Brown is set to participate in a bespoke session at MIPCOM in Cannes titled ‘Powerful Storytelling for a Global Stage,’ alongside the new BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips on Monday, October 13. BBC Studios will present other shows at the market, including the drama Waiting for the Out (working title), Fearless Minds, House Productions’ crime family drama Mint, and John Morton’s latest comedy Twenty Twenty Six.
Danny Page Named Head Of Pictures at Blazing Griffin
Blazing Griffin, a prominent UK production and post-production firm, has appointed Danny Page as the Head of Pictures. Naysun Alae-Carew, Managing Director, will maintain his role as Executive Producer for the film division while also leading strategic company planning and overseeing new investment initiatives. In 2024, the company has shifted its focus to feature films, pausing its television projects to work on titles such as California Schemin’, directed by James McAvoy and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival; Glenrothan, the directorial debut of Brian Cox, also showcased at TIFF; and Grow, a family-oriented film premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Page, formerly a producer for California Schemin’ and founder of Homefront Productions, is currently producing Farida: The Girl Who Fought ISIS with seasoned producer Lloyd Levin (United 93).
Noteworthy Jury Members for iSAFF Canada Include Parminder Nagra
The International South Asian Film Festival of Canada, set to take place from September 24 to September 28 in Surrey, Canada, will feature an esteemed panel of jury members this year. Among them are Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel), Parminder Nagra (Bend It Like Beckham), Amber Fares (Speed Sisters), Nik Dodani (Atypical), Bryson Chun (Moana 2), and Rakesh Satyal.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
His sharp analysis and investigative reports make complex financial topics accessible to all readers.
