Paramount Global Content Distribution has secured licensing deals in 100 key international territories for THE F WARD, which was commissioned by Stan, making it the fastest-selling Australian drama ever pre-launch.
Co-produced by Roadshow Rough Diamond and CBS Studios, the buzzy new six-part medical drama stars Anna Friel and follows a group of young medical interns sent to the underfunded Pines Hospital in Sydney for one final chance to complete their medical training. Here, they must overcome their insecurities, their past, and their own expectations in a place where the stakes are life and death.
The series launched last month on Stan in Australia, with The AU Review calling it “funny, heartfelt, (and) sharply written,” The Sydney Morning Herald noting the series is “excellent” and The West Australian called The F WARD “must-see TV.”
Broadcasters and streaming platforms acquiring the series include:
Channel 4 (United Kingdom)
SkyShowtime (Albania, Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden)
Claro video (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay)
AMedia Networks (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan)
Streamz (Belgium)
CBC for CBC TV and CBC Gem (English-speaking Canada)
Quebecor Content (French-speaking Canada)
COSMOTE TV (Greece)
Siminn (Iceland)
RTE (Ireland)
JioHotstar (India)
Sky NZ (New Zealand)
HBO Asia (Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong)
MEGOGO & Kyivstar TV (Ukraine)
Don McGregor, President, Global Content Licensing, Paramount, said:
“Medical dramas have universal appeal, and the show’s underdog story and rising young cast gave it a real breakout energy. Buyers around the world moved quickly to secure ‘The F Ward,’ making it the fastest pre-launch sale ever for an Australian drama, and that alone speaks to the strength of this production.”
Co-creator and producer, Dan Edwards, added:
“The audience response in Australia has been truly remarkable. Anna Friel and this exceptional cast have captured the altruistic ambitions, humour and heart of so many within our health system, which has resonated far beyond our first hopes.
We’re delighted to learn the show has found so many significant partners around the world so quickly. Global audiences can now experience Australia’s greatest social service through the lens of a group of smart, young, almost broken intern doctors and their unconventional mentors.”
The series stars International Emmy® Award winner Anna Friel (Pushing Daisies, Marcella), Ioane Sa’ula (Bump), Lola Bond (Last Days of the Space Age), Dan Wyllie (Love My Way), Alex Fitzalan (Prosper), Emily Barclay (Babyteeth), Annie Boyle (Colin from Accounts) and Rishab Kern.
Rounding out the cast are Arka Das (Sunny Nights), Paula Arundell (The Last Anniversary), Jeremy Sims (The Artful Dodger), Susie Porter (The Artful Dodger), Toby Schmitz (Boy Swallows Universe), and Alex Dimitriades (Strife).
THE F WARD is co-created by Dan Edwards (Bump) and Kelsey Munro (Bump) with executive producer John Edwards, and producers Dan Edwards and Kelsey Munro for Roadshow Rough Diamond. Stan Executive Producers are Andy Ryan and Michael Healy with Lindsey Martin and Dave Clarke for CBS Studios International.
The series is written by Kelsey Munro, Jessica Tuckwell, Shanti Gudgeon, Nick Coyle, and Jack Yabsley and directed by Natalie Bailey (Down Cemetery Road) and Neil Sharma (Critical Incident).
THE F WARD is a co-production produced by Roadshow Rough Diamond and CBS Studios with major production investment from Screen Australia. Financed with support from Screen NSW’s Made in NSW – TV Drama Fund. Paramount Global Content Distribution handles international distribution outside of Australia.
About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation:
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media.
The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS, CBS News, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, SHOWTIME®, Paramount+, Pluto TV, Skydance Animation, Film, Television, and Interactive/Games, and the newly established Paramount Sports Entertainment.
THE F WARD streams in Australia on Stan. For more information, visit the Paramount website.
Watch the series on Stan here.
Website: www.paramount.com
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/stanaustralia/
Image supplied.
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