NEW YORK, NY, May 10, 2018 – AMC Networks launched “Talking With…,” a screening series highlighting the accomplishments of women in front of and behind the camera, on May 3rd in Los Angeles. For the inaugural event, AMC Networks partnered with Charter Communications to host a screening of BBC AMERICA’s critically acclaimed spy drama Killing Eve. The screening was followed by a conversation with series star Sandra Oh and BBC AMERICA President and General Manager Sarah Barnett and was moderated by Executive TV Editor for Variety, Debra Birnbaum. Opening remarks were made by Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), Head of Original Content for Charter Communications Katherine Pope, and Barnett.
AMC Networks will partner with Charter Communications and other distribution partners on additional screening events across the country.
Pope kicked off the evening by saying “Much like Eve Polastri, I, too, have a possibly unhealthy obsession with female assassins. By assassins I mean, women who come to work ready to kill. Women know an important part of success is turning defeat into opportunity, and I would say we also know that another part is being comfortable with a little bit of madness.”
Barnett said of the series “Phoebe Waller-Bridge has written a show that is freshly entertaining for our times. The women of Killing Eve are confident, vulnerable, effective, messy and searching for a way not to be bored.”
Congressman Chu, who is the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress and co-chair of the Creative Rights Caucus, made moving remarks about not seeing herself represented on TV aside from the character Hop Sing on Bonanza who “if you sneezed you missed his appearance.” She explained how in order to believe you can do something you need to be able to see yourself in the role and the lack of role-models effects entire generations. She applauded Sandra Oh for her role in Killing Eve, “not as the best friend or the sidekick – but as the star”. She went on to say that women must have the opportunity to build careers in the creative arts and make a living as “this type of creative work is our greatest export.”
In the discussion following, Birnbaum, Barnett and Oh discussed the genesis of the series, color blind casting, the tricky tone and how the series is being embraced by audiences.
Barnett said that she finds it most interesting to tell stories that haven’t been told over and over again. “With so many dramas airing today it’s crucial to stand out and look for something fresh and original.”
When asked how we are going to move forward now that the new women’s movement has begun Oh replied “It’s here- it’s happening now. I am inside the change. I have boss ladies!”
Killing Eve is a breakout hit for BBC AMERICA with Live +3 ratings growing each week. Starring Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer, Killing Eve centers on two women; Eve (Oh) is a bored, whip-smart, pay-grade MI5 security officer whose desk-bound job doesn’t fulfill her fantasies of being a spy. Villanelle (Comer) is a mercurial, talented killer who clings to the luxuries her violent job affords her. Penned by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) and based on the novellas by Luke Jennings, Killing Eve follows these two women, equally obsessed with each other, as they go head to head in an epic game of cat and mouse.
About Judy Chu
Judy Chu was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in July 2009 representing the 27th Congressional District. Rep. Chu currently serves on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over legislation pertaining to taxes, revenues, Social Security, and Medicare. In that Committee, Rep. Chu is a member of the Subcommittees on Health and Human Resources, giving her oversight over healthcare reform and crucial safety net programs. She also serves in leadership of the House Democratic Caucus as a Member of the Steering and Policy Committee. In 2011, Chu was elected Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, which advocates for the needs and concerns of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community across the nation. She helps lead the Tri-Caucus, a joint effort with the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Chu lives with her husband, Michael Eng, in the city of Monterey Park, where they have been residents for over 31 years.
About Charter
Charter Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) is a leading broadband communications company and the second largest cable operator in the United States. Charter provides a full range of advanced residential broadband services, including Spectrum TV® programming, Spectrum Internet®, and Spectrum Voice®. Under the Spectrum Business® brand, Charter provides scalable, and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to small and medium-sized business organizations, including Internet access, business telephone, and TV services. Through the Spectrum Enterprise brand, Charter is a national provider of scalable, fiber-based technology solutions serving many of America’s largest businesses and communications service providers. Charter’s advertising sales and production services are sold under the Spectrum Reach® brand. Charter’s news and sports networks are operated under the Spectrum Networks brand. More information about Charter can be found at spectrum.com.
About AMC Networks
Dedicated to producing quality programming and movie content for more than 30 years, AMC Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: AMCX) owns and operates several of the most popular and award-winning brands in cable television. AMC, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, and IFC Films produce and deliver distinctive, compelling and culturally relevant content that engages audiences across multiple platforms. The company also operates BBC AMERICA through a joint venture with BBC Studios. In addition, the company operates AMC Networks International, its global division.
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