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New York, NY; November 13, 2020 – AMC Networks’ streaming service Sundance Now acquires the exclusive U.S. and Canadian rights to Australian drama series THE COMMONS from Sony Pictures Television. Golden Globe winning and three-time Emmy® nominated actress Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey, Liar) leads the character driven thriller set at the crossroads of climate change and the cutting edge of biotechnology. Set just a wince into the future, it’s a story about motherhood as the ultimate act of faith in humanity. Sundance Now will feature the exclusive U.S. and Canadian premieres beginning Thursday, December 3 with weekly episodes. Produced by Playmaker and created by AACTA Award-winning showrunner Shelley Birse (The Code), who also co-wrote the series, the powerful eight-part drama made its world premiere in Australia on Stan and co-stars David Lyons (Safe Haven, Game of Silence), Ryan Corr (The Secrets She Keeps, Bloom), and Rupert Penry-Jones (Silk, Whitechapel).
Eadie (Joanne Froggatt) just wants a normal life, but the world around her won’t let her have it. A brilliant, 38-year-old neuropsychologist, Eadie longs to have a child with her vector biologist husband, Lloyd (David Lyons), but multiple unsuccessful IVF treatments have put her dreams of motherhood on hold. Meanwhile, the world around her is in chaos, as global warming and parasitic diseases have made the divide between rich and poor even greater. The Commons is a compelling drama about how interpersonal relationships, and the needs, hopes and desires that everyone has, still exist in a rapidly changing world.
Shannon Cooper, VP of Programming, Sundance Now, said, “Led by a wonderful performance by Joanne Froggatt, this gripping and timely drama makes an ideal addition to Sundance Now’s slate. We’re excited to work with our partners at Sony Pictures Television to bring THE COMMONS to U.S. and Canadian audiences.”
Mario Giampaolo, VP Distribution, US Pay TV for Sony Pictures Television said, “The Commons is a timely global drama that challenges humanity in the face of crisis. We know audiences will be drawn to this gripping story and we are delighted to have found a great home for this premium series with Sundance Now.”
In addition to Shelley Birse, The Commons’ writing team includes Matt Ford (Hiding), Michael Miller (Cleverman) and Matt Cameron (Jack Irish). The series is directed by AACTA Award-winner Jeffrey Walker (Riot, Lambs of God), alongside Rowan Woods (Nowhere Boys, Rake) and Jennifer Leacey (Reckoning, The Secrets She Keeps). Executive produced by Playmaker’s award-winning producers David Taylor and David Maher (Reckoning, Bloom, The Code), Stan’s Nick Forward, Graham Yost (The Americans, Sneaky Pete, Justified), Fred Golan (Sneaky Pete, Justified, Roswell), and Shelley Birse; the series is produced by Diane Haddon (Reckoning, The Code, Friday On My Mind).
Streaming service Sundance Now offers a rich selection of original and exclusive series from engrossing true crime to heart-stopping dramas and fiercely intelligent thrillers from around the world, all streaming commercial-free. In 2020, Sundance Now has featured the return of highly-acclaimed French spy thriller The Bureau, Swedish period drama The Restaurant, and Riviera starring Julia Stiles and Rupert Graves; as well as Sundance Now Exclusives, such as Australian drama Bad Mothers, Nordic drama Sanctuary, Nordic noir thriller Wisting, Australian psychological thriller The Secrets She Keeps, critically acclaimed Australian drama Upright starring Tim Minchin, and Canadian true crime docuseries The Suspect. Coming up, Sundance Now features the exclusive U.S. premieres of highly-rated British thriller Cold Call (Nov. 19) and British drama Cleaning Up starring Sheridan Smith (Dec. 31). The streaming service can be enjoyed on most streaming devices for only $6.99/month or $4.99/month (plus tax) with an annual membership. No cable subscription is needed.
About AMC Networks
Known for its ground-breaking and celebrated original content, AMC Networks (NASDAQ: AMCX) is the company behind the award-winning brands AMC, BBC AMERICA, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, and IFC Films. Its diverse line-up of popular and critically-acclaimed series and independent films include Killing Eve, Better Call Saul and The Walking Dead, which has been the #1 show on basic cable television for ten consecutive years, as well as Documentary Now!, Brockmire, Love After Lockup, and the films Boyhood, Death of Stalin, and many more. Its original series Mad Men and Breaking Bad are widely recognized as being among the most influential and acclaimed shows in the history of TV. The Company also operates AMC Studios, its production business; AMC Networks International, its international programming business; the subscription streaming services Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, and UMC (Urban Movie Channel); RLJE Films; and Levity Entertainment Group, the Company’s production services and comedy venues business. For more information, visit http://www.amcnetworks.com.
About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry’s leading content providers, producing, distributing and carrying programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to managing one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, SPT is home to a thriving global content business, operating a robust portfolio of wholly-owned and joint-venture production companies across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, as well as linear and digital channels around the world. SPT is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company.