Orange Smarty sends the Real Prime Suspect to the US!

Orange Smarty, the independent distributor that specialises in multiplatform factual content, has announced the first sales of The Real Prime Suspect (10 x 60 mins). US network REELZ has acquired the true-crime series, which is fronted by Jackie Malton, a former Met Police Officer and the first female member of Scotland Yard’s legendary Flying Squad.

Originally commissioned by CBS Reality, The Real Prime Suspect is produced by UK-based Monster Films, with Orange Smarty as associate producer. It represents the first significant investment in an original commission by the Brighton-based distributor, which holds the global rights, excluding the UK, Africa and Poland, to the show10-part series.

In addition to REELZ, the show has also been licenced by YLE in Finland and Foxtel in Australia. The series follows Malton, who inspired Helen Mirren’s character in Lynda La Plante’s iconic drama Prime Suspect, as she re-examines 10 notorious UK and US murder cases, from the discovery of the crime to conviction.

Karen Young, founder and CEO of Orange Smarty, said: “These deals are particularly satisfying as we all know the US market is a tough nut to crack and is the nirvana of territories in terms of eyeballs and healthy return on investment. With the relationships we’ve carefully built over the years in the US we know what to pitch and exactly when and this strategy has certainly paid off. The sheer quality in our primetime UK terrestrial factual entertainment catalogue speaks for itself. ”

In other North American news, Orange Smarty has sold ITN Productions’ (1 x 46) Kate Vs. Meghan: Princesses at War to TLC (Discovery) and William and Harry: Princes at War? (1 x 46) to CBC Canada for The Passionate Eye These timely one off specials tell the story of Meghan’s rocky entry into the royal family and reveal the truth behind the then rumours of a reported rift with Kate and the parallel conflict between the prince brothers. Other sales include I Hate Jane Austen and Michael Palin in North Korea to the Knowledge Network.

Finally, the distributor has closed a six-title deal with APT (American Public Television), the leading syndicator of programming for the US’ 350-plus public-television stations. Included in the package are Factory Films’ I Hate Jane Austen (Sky Arts), Athena Films’ Meet the Hedgehogs (Channel 5), Platform’s Farther and Sun: A Dyslexic Road Trip (BBC Four),CTVC’s Pilgrimage The Road to Santiago and Pilgrimage The Road to Rome (BBC Two) and Inside Jaguar: A Supercar is Reborn for Channel 4.