RTÉ has secured the Irish broadcasting rights for ‘Camelot’. The 10 x one hour series will premiere in the U.S. on Starz in the Spring of 2011 and will thereafter broadcast on RTÉ Two. Filming is to wrap this month on the Wicklow-based production with Canadian director, Michelle MacLaren taking on the director’s role for the final two weeks of filming
‘Camelot’ is based on Thomas Malory’s 15th century book, ‘Le Morte d’Arthur’ and looks to bring the saga of King Arthur to modern audiences. The series’ starry cast includes Joseph Fiennes (Flash Forwad), Eva Green (Cracks), Jamie Campbell Bower (Sweeney Todd), Tamsin Egerton (St Trinians), Claire Forlani (Meet Joe Black) and Peter Mooney (Summer’s Blood).
The series commenced production in Ireland in June and is set to wrap at the end of this month. Starz holds all U.S. rights – including home entertainment and digital distribution whilst GK-TV has been in charge of broadcast rights for the rest of the world. Channel 4 secured the UK premiere broadcast rights to ‘Camelot’ at the start of October and RTÉ’s recent acquisition has seen it join a long list of other broadcasters such as RTL (Netherlands), DBS (Israel) and Sony AXN (Pan-Asia). GK-TV has additionally sold all rights in numerous other territories and regions including; France, Germany, Russia & CIS, Pan Eastern Europe, Pan Latin America, and Pan Middle East.
‘Camelot’ is a co-production between the Irish production company Octagon and Take 5 Productions in Canada, and is executive produced by Ecosse Films’ Douglass Rae (Nowhere Boy), Academy Award winning producer Graham King (The Departed,), Tim Headington (The Young Victoria) and Craig Cegielski. The Irish executive producers on board include Morgan O’Sullivan (The Tudors), Octagon Films’ James Flynn (King Arthur) and the series creator, Michael Hirst (The Tudors). John Webber from Take 5 Productions will serve as the Canadian producer. The series is written by Chris Chibnall (Life on Mars, Torchwood). The series boasts many of the same crew members of ‘The Tudors’ which broadcast in recent years on TV3.
Dermot Horan, RTÉ’s Director of Broadcast & Acquisitions commented on the group’s acquirement of the series, saying: “This is a key acquisition for Irish audiences. The production values are extremely high, the calibre of acting impressive. That it is employing Irish
crews, shooting in Irish locations and thus supporting local industry is particularly satisfying. We look forward to bringing it to Irish audiences next year.”
Craig Cegielski, President of GK-tv also commented on the sale, saying: "We're extremely pleased we've partnered with RTÉ, a network that has proven to be the premiere destination for epic cinematic programming, The legend of Camelot continues to evoke the promise of hope and opportunity, something shared by all audiences, which RTÉ will no doubt deliver spectacularly."
