Director and Executive Producer MJ Bassett on board for new 8 part one-hour scripted series created by Mark Bacci, Dwayne Hill and David Cormican
Red Arrow Studios International and preeminent production company Don Carmody Television (DCTV) are partnering on a new scripted action thriller Blood Horn. MJ Bassett (Power, Ash vs Evil, Strike Back, Solomon Kane) has signed on to direct and executive produce. This timely new series is created by award-winning writer/producer/director Mark Bacci (Real Detective, Between), Emmy® Award nominated actor and screenwriter Dwayne Hill (Billable Hours) and Emmy® nominated executive producer David Cormican, President and partner at DCTV. Red Arrow Studios International will represent the female-driven action series for international sales.
This fast-paced, urgent and emotional thriller follows former US Marine Berhane “Haney” Mosie as she returns to her childhood home of Hoedspruit, South Africa, to avenge the kidnapping and murder of her beloved uncle and the two lions she grew up alongside. She quickly realises that Hoedspruit is the epicentre of Africa’s illegal poaching trade as she begins to uncover the truth behind her uncle’s death. Working with Declan, a tough South African ranger, she enters the highly political world of organised crime which takes place against the breath-taking landscape of South Africa.
Henrik Pabst, President of Red Arrow Studios International, said: “Blood Horn is bold, compelling, international drama, with creatives of the first degree behind the show – exactly the kind of project Red Arrow Studios International is passionate about supporting. With an engaging cast of characters set against the gritty and complex world of illegal poaching, the show promises to be an asset to our forthcoming scripted slate.”
“MJ (Bassett) is the perfect addition to the team given her profound knowledge of the natural world, passion for conservation and extensive experience shooting action in Africa (Strike Back)”, adds David Cormican, DCTV President and Executive Producer. “The potential for this series to change the narrative around endangered species and conservation efforts at the international and political levels, and ultimately hopefully saving the rhino from complete extinction, is our main motivation in pursuing this story through the medium of compelling high-end scripted television”.
“I’ve been obsessed with wildlife and conservation my whole life”, says Executive Producer and Director MJ Bassett. “Before I became a film maker I was a veterinary assistant, ran a wildlife hospital and hosted natural history shows on UK television. I’d planned to study zoology so I could work in Africa to help conserve species but clearly, my career took a different path. Now, Blood Horn offers me a unique opportunity to tell a vitally important story with incredible characters, warmth, humour and real action set against the extraordinary landscape of Southern Africa. It’s going to be thrilling drama with an important message”.