BBC Worldwide, Polish broadcaster TVP ink first co-production deal

MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide has stitched its first ever co-production deal with TVP in Poland for new drama ?Spies of Warsaw?, a two part historical spy drama adapted by Dick Clement and Ian de Frenais from Alan Furst?s novels.

The new drama from Fresh Pictures for BBC Four will soon be appearing on Poland?s national broadcaster, Polish Television (TVP), later this year. TVP previously bought a range of finished programming from BBC Worldwide including ?Married Single Other?, ?Waking the Dead? and ?Survivors?.

TVP?s producer, editor Piotr Derewenda said, ?We are very pleased to enter into this new co-production partnership with such a prestigious company as BBC Worldwide. Furst?s thrilling story creates a unique opportunity for us to chart Poland?s fascinating history from a more European perspective and provides the perfect backdrop for the thrilling tale of great love, friendship and betrayal.

BBC Worldwide executive producer for international drama Ben Donald said, ?Fresh Pictures? first drama, ?Spies in Warsaw?, is a captivating adaptation of the best-selling spy novels. The story takes place in Poland, France and Italy which lends itself perfectly to international co-productions such as this latest deal with TVP.

The adaptation offers casting opportunities for talent from around the world as the story spans various countries across Europe. "I am also delighted that we are able to bring this production to Poland where there is not only an excellent infrastructure in place and production expertise but also a strong tradition of film-making,? averred Donald.

Spanning the decade from 1933 to 1943, Furst?s stories are portraits of subjugated peoples who try to resist the suffocating inevitability of Hitler?s regime. The characters roam the foggy nights and steal across the rainy, cobbled streets of Prague, Berlin, Warsaw, Rome, and Paris.

Furst?s protagonists join the ranks of the Resistance in one way or another. They include faded nobility, b-movie filmmakers, newspapermen, ship?s captains and compromised businessmen as well as waiters, shopkeepers, jaded intellectuals, tarnished grand dames, and boozy Britishs secret agents. Together they march in the underground army that seeks to fight back against the Nazi occupiers.