Red Arrow Studios International’s new event series Departure is heading to NBCUniversal International Networks (NBCUIN), to air in Europe and Africa. The new conspiracy series from Shaftesbury and Greenpoint Productions, in association with Corus Entertainment and Red Arrow Studios International, and co-financed by Starlings Television, is directed by Canadian Screen Award winner T.J. Scott (Orphan Black, Star Trek: Discovery) and created by Vincent Shiao (Ransom, Aftermath), with Malcolm MacRury as showrunner. The six one-hour episodes will premiere in the UK, Africa and Germany on UNIVERSAL TV, and France, Spain and Poland on 13TH STREET from late 2019. The series is also set to premiere on commissioning broadcaster Corus’ Global Television in the coming months.
Departure is a high-octane conspiracy series that follows the mystery of Flight 716 – a passenger plane that vanishes over the Atlantic Ocean. Following the mysterious crash, recently widowed, brilliant aviation investigator Kendra Malley, played by Emmy® Award-winner Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife), is called in to investigate by her former boss and mentor Howard Lawson, played by Oscar® winner Christopher Plummer (All The Money In The World). With the whole world watching, Kendra and her team race to pinpoint the missing aircraft and locate possible survivors. They must battle through a host of suspects and motives, from pilot suicide and terrorism, to politically motivated murder and systems failure to determine what really happened to Flight 716 – and to stop it from happening again.
The all-star cast also includes Kris Holden-Ried (Vikings), Claire Forlani (Hawaii Five-O), Rebecca Liddiard (Frankie Drake Mysteries), Shazad Latif (Star Trek: Discovery), Tamara Duarte (Longmire), Peter Mensah (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Kristian Bruun (Orphan Black), Allan Hawco (Caught), Dougray Scott (Snatch), Sasha Roiz (Grimm), Mark Rendall (30 Days of Night), Dmitry Chepovetsky (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) and Paris Jefferson (Sunset Contract).
“Departure’s gripping storyline – steeped in conspiracy, mystery and intriguing characters – is a great fit for our international channel brands and will have our viewers on the edge of their seats,” commented Steve Patscheck, EVP Global Programming, NBCUniversal International Networks. “We look forward to bringing this thrilling series and its stellar award-winning cast to our fans around the world.”
“We are delighted NBCUniversal International Networks has come on board as a pay-TV partner for Departure,” added Bo Stehmeier, President, Red Arrow Studios International. “Audiences across Europe and Africa will be captivated by the action-packed, suspenseful storyline and all-star cast.”
Departure is a Canada/UK treaty co-production produced by Shaftesbury (Canada) and Greenpoint Productions Ltd. (UK) in association with Corus Entertainment and co-financed by Starlings Television. Starlings Television is overseeing distribution worldwide, with Red Arrow Studios International handling international sales outside of the US.
Departure is executive produced by Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, Malcolm MacRury, T.J. Scott, and Archie Panjabi. Creator Vincent Shiao is co-executive producer; Patrick Cassavetti, Tina Grewal are producers, with Julie Lacey serving as Shaftesbury’s producer. For Corus, Kathleen Meek is Production Executive; Rachel Nelson is Director, Original Content, Drama, Kids and Factual; Lisa Godfrey is Vice President of Original Content, Corus Entertainment. Chris Philip and Karine Martin are executive producers for Starlings Television; Henrik Pabst and Carlo Dusi are executive producers for Red Arrow Studios International. Episodes are written by showrunner Malcolm MacRury, Vincent Shiao, Ellen Vanstone, John Krizanc, and Stephanie Tracey. Departure is directed by T.J. Scott. David A. Stern and Matt Geller made the initial introduction of the project to Shaftesbury and have assisted in raising the financing for the production.
Departure is currently in production in Canada and the UK. The series is distributed worldwide by Red Arrow Studios International.
Tobias Schulze, VP Sales for France and German speaking territories at Red Arrow Studios International concluded the deal.