Mention “The Mole” to virtually anyone who works in reality TV, and their eyes light up. For a show that hasn’t been seen on U.S. television since 2008 — and only aired five editions in total — “The Mole” has nonetheless achieved a near-mythical status in the annals of unscripted TV history.
““I grew up watching them all on television, and it was one of my all-time favorite reality shows,” says Eureka Prods. CEO Chris Culvenor. “It’s probably one of the most beloved formats that is out there, not just in this country, but worldwide. It combines a sense of adventure, with a sort of ‘Ocean’s 11’/’Mission Impossible’-style caper. People love a mystery. I think that is what was the appeal of the original.”
“The Mole” centers on 12 contestants who must solve challenges in order to add money to a pot — which one of them will win in the end.
““I grew up watching them all on television, and it was one of my all-time favorite reality shows,” says Eureka Prods. CEO Chris Culvenor. “It’s probably one of the most beloved formats that is out there, not just in this country, but worldwide. It combines a sense of adventure, with a sort of ‘Ocean’s 11’/’Mission Impossible’-style caper. People love a mystery. I think that is what was the appeal of the original.”
“The Mole” centers on 12 contestants who must solve challenges in order to add money to a pot — which one of them will win in the end.
- 10/7/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Austrian broadcaster Orf and Germany’s Zdf have commissioned a three-episode season two for period crime drama “Vienna Blood,” produced by Endor Productions — a Red Arrow Studios company — and Mr Film. After successful season one runs in the U.S. and U.K., both PBS and BBC Two are on board as well.
Screenwriter Steve Thompson returns to continue adapting Frank Tallis’ best-selling books. Oscar and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Robert Dornhelm (“Anne Frank: The Whole Story”) will lead direct.
Production is scheduled to begin on location in Austria next month with stars Matthew Bared and Jurgen Maurer returning to their roles as Doctor Max Liebermann and detective Oskar Reinhardt, who together investigate a series of unusual murders in the Austrian capital city.
Season one was BBC Two’s second best-performing drama of 2019, while episode one was Orf’s top-rated Friday-night broadcast of the year. The series is also broadcast in France,...
Screenwriter Steve Thompson returns to continue adapting Frank Tallis’ best-selling books. Oscar and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Robert Dornhelm (“Anne Frank: The Whole Story”) will lead direct.
Production is scheduled to begin on location in Austria next month with stars Matthew Bared and Jurgen Maurer returning to their roles as Doctor Max Liebermann and detective Oskar Reinhardt, who together investigate a series of unusual murders in the Austrian capital city.
Season one was BBC Two’s second best-performing drama of 2019, while episode one was Orf’s top-rated Friday-night broadcast of the year. The series is also broadcast in France,...
- 7/6/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Aardman, the Oscar-winning UK animation studio, has inked a deal with Chinese major Tencent that will see its Shaun The Sheep series hosted on the latter’s video platform. Shaun is hosted around the world by Netflix, which isn’t in China so this latest deal completes the global picture on the franchise. The Chinese streamer will receive 170 x 7’ episodes of the show, including series six which launched earlier this year. “Our new deal with Tencent Video is a truly exciting next step for our business in China and a great moment for the studio,” said Aardman’s Robin Gladman, Senior Distribution and Acquisitions Manager.
We Are Parable, the UK exhibition company that specializes in Black cinema, has set ‘Who We Are’, a week-long series of online events and film programs designed to celebrate and spark debate around Black British film, in partnership with the BFI. The initiative will see talent such as Nosa Eke,...
We Are Parable, the UK exhibition company that specializes in Black cinema, has set ‘Who We Are’, a week-long series of online events and film programs designed to celebrate and spark debate around Black British film, in partnership with the BFI. The initiative will see talent such as Nosa Eke,...
- 7/6/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Here’s an exclusive peek at “The Big Flower Fight,” Netflix’s new unscripted competition format which launches on May 18.
Produced by ITV Studios-backed MultiStory Media, the eight-part series sees 10 creative teams square off in a contest to create huge flower installations. The series is hosted by “What We Do In The Shadows” star Natasia Demetriou and Vic Reeves.
In each episode, the teams are tasked with creating a larger-than-life sculpture, competing to design and build the biggest, most outlandish and beautiful displays possible from flowers and other natural materials — all while staving off elimination for one more week.
With a conservationist theme, the participants are encouraged to think about plants that give back to the environment — such as pollinating, insect-friendly species.
The trailer offers the first glimpse of the 10 creative duos taking part in the competition, who come from the U.S., Denmark, U.K. and Ireland. The...
Produced by ITV Studios-backed MultiStory Media, the eight-part series sees 10 creative teams square off in a contest to create huge flower installations. The series is hosted by “What We Do In The Shadows” star Natasia Demetriou and Vic Reeves.
In each episode, the teams are tasked with creating a larger-than-life sculpture, competing to design and build the biggest, most outlandish and beautiful displays possible from flowers and other natural materials — all while staving off elimination for one more week.
With a conservationist theme, the participants are encouraged to think about plants that give back to the environment — such as pollinating, insect-friendly species.
The trailer offers the first glimpse of the 10 creative duos taking part in the competition, who come from the U.S., Denmark, U.K. and Ireland. The...
- 5/4/2020
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix’s international non-scripted drive continues as the Svod service hires former ITV commissioner Ben Kelly to beef up its London programming team.
Deadline understands that Kelly, who was previously an entertainment commissioner at the British linear broadcaster, is joining as manager of nonfiction series. He will be responsible for ordering global entertainment formats out of the UK. He is expected to join imminently.
He has previously handled shows including the return of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, The X Factor and comedy clip format Zone of Champions from Sacha Baron Cohen’s Spelthorne Community Television. Prior to that he was a producer and showrunner on shows including I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Big Brother and Million Pound Menu.
It is the latest non-scripted hire for Netflix in London; last year, it hired former Channel 4 commissioner Lucy Leveugle, who commissioned series such as The Undateables and Child Genius,...
Deadline understands that Kelly, who was previously an entertainment commissioner at the British linear broadcaster, is joining as manager of nonfiction series. He will be responsible for ordering global entertainment formats out of the UK. He is expected to join imminently.
He has previously handled shows including the return of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, The X Factor and comedy clip format Zone of Champions from Sacha Baron Cohen’s Spelthorne Community Television. Prior to that he was a producer and showrunner on shows including I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Big Brother and Million Pound Menu.
It is the latest non-scripted hire for Netflix in London; last year, it hired former Channel 4 commissioner Lucy Leveugle, who commissioned series such as The Undateables and Child Genius,...
- 9/13/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix has planted the seeds for The Big Flower Fight (w/t) – a major new competition format rooted in the UK.
The eight-part series has sprouted from ITV Studios-owned Multistory Media. It comes as Netflix continues to grow out its non-scripted library and builds on hit competition originals including Nailed It! and The Final Table.
The series will see ten duos, including florists, sculptors and garden designers, put to the test as they compete in a series of themed challenges to create large-scale flower installations.
Each episode will test a different set of creative and practical skills, from floristry to carpentry and landscaping. The materials each pair can use to create their installation will vary week-by-week, and participants will be encouraged to think about plants which give back to the environment – such as pollinating, insect-friendly species. One team will be eliminated each week as the competition intensifies, leaving...
The eight-part series has sprouted from ITV Studios-owned Multistory Media. It comes as Netflix continues to grow out its non-scripted library and builds on hit competition originals including Nailed It! and The Final Table.
The series will see ten duos, including florists, sculptors and garden designers, put to the test as they compete in a series of themed challenges to create large-scale flower installations.
Each episode will test a different set of creative and practical skills, from floristry to carpentry and landscaping. The materials each pair can use to create their installation will vary week-by-week, and participants will be encouraged to think about plants which give back to the environment – such as pollinating, insect-friendly species. One team will be eliminated each week as the competition intensifies, leaving...
- 8/8/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Among new members are Maren Ade, Hugh Grant and Hayley Squires.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) has revealed its 2018 intake of new members drawn from the film, TV and games industry.
Among the 386 new members are actors Hugh Grant, Willem Dafoe and Hayley Squires, directors Maren Ade (Toni Erdmann), Daniel Kokotajlo (Apostasy) and Michael Pearce (Beast), film execs Shana Eddy-Grouf (Studiocanal) and Katie Goodson-Thomas (Fox Searchlight), and La La Land producers Jordan Horowitz and Fred Berger.
Former UK and Ireland Screen Stars of Tomorrow in the new intake include producer Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly and actor Jessie Barden.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) has revealed its 2018 intake of new members drawn from the film, TV and games industry.
Among the 386 new members are actors Hugh Grant, Willem Dafoe and Hayley Squires, directors Maren Ade (Toni Erdmann), Daniel Kokotajlo (Apostasy) and Michael Pearce (Beast), film execs Shana Eddy-Grouf (Studiocanal) and Katie Goodson-Thomas (Fox Searchlight), and La La Land producers Jordan Horowitz and Fred Berger.
Former UK and Ireland Screen Stars of Tomorrow in the new intake include producer Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly and actor Jessie Barden.
- 12/12/2018
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
Hugh Grant, Jodie Whittaker and Letitia Wright are among 386 new BAFTA members. The 2018 intake span the film, games and TV industries across eleven countries. Scroll down for the full list of new members.
Among new members are BAFTA-winner Grant, Doctor Who star Whittaker, BAFTA-nominee Willem Dafoe, Black Panther star Letitia Wright, La La Land producers Jordan Horowitz and Fred Berger, Mad Max: Fury Road costume designer Jenny Beavan, Toni Erdmann director Maren Ade, and UK broadcasters Sandi Toksvig and Simon Mayo.
BAFTA comprises around 8,000 members worldwide. The UK org tweaked its membership requirements in 2016 in a bid to improve diversity of intake.
Amanda Berry, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said, “We’re delighted to welcome our new members to BAFTA. Our members represent the breadth of the ever-evolving film, games and television industries. They sit at the heart of everything BAFTA does, from mentoring emerging talent, voting in the Awards, sharing...
Among new members are BAFTA-winner Grant, Doctor Who star Whittaker, BAFTA-nominee Willem Dafoe, Black Panther star Letitia Wright, La La Land producers Jordan Horowitz and Fred Berger, Mad Max: Fury Road costume designer Jenny Beavan, Toni Erdmann director Maren Ade, and UK broadcasters Sandi Toksvig and Simon Mayo.
BAFTA comprises around 8,000 members worldwide. The UK org tweaked its membership requirements in 2016 in a bid to improve diversity of intake.
Amanda Berry, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said, “We’re delighted to welcome our new members to BAFTA. Our members represent the breadth of the ever-evolving film, games and television industries. They sit at the heart of everything BAFTA does, from mentoring emerging talent, voting in the Awards, sharing...
- 12/12/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix is continuing to bolster its non-scripted efforts outside of the U.S. after hiring former Channel 4 exec Lucy Leveugle in London.
The Svod service announced that the former interim head of factual entertainment, who commissioned series such as The Undateables and Child Genius, will join Netflix’s unscripted team. She will work under Nathaniel Grouille and Sean Hancock, who are both based in the U.S.
Netflix said that her focus is unscripted content from across Emea and will join in the new year.
Leveugle left the British broadcaster earlier this year, having joined in 2012, where she also oversaw formats including Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds and docs such as Inside the Ku Klux Klan.
It is the latest high-profile hire out of the British capital, after Deadline revealed that former Monkey COO Jason Crosby joined over the summer and Kate Townsend relocated from La to London.
The Svod service announced that the former interim head of factual entertainment, who commissioned series such as The Undateables and Child Genius, will join Netflix’s unscripted team. She will work under Nathaniel Grouille and Sean Hancock, who are both based in the U.S.
Netflix said that her focus is unscripted content from across Emea and will join in the new year.
Leveugle left the British broadcaster earlier this year, having joined in 2012, where she also oversaw formats including Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds and docs such as Inside the Ku Klux Klan.
It is the latest high-profile hire out of the British capital, after Deadline revealed that former Monkey COO Jason Crosby joined over the summer and Kate Townsend relocated from La to London.
- 10/16/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Audiences have shown an insatiable appetite for true crime series, but creating those shows is hardly a simple task.
That was the consensus of the exec gathered at an Hrts event, held Tuesday night in Beverly Hills, about the business of producing true crime. Not only must the story be compelling enough to draw an audience, but it must also be presented in a “fair and balanced” way, showing all sides of situations that are bound to be incredibly sensitive.
“Our job is to balance the objectivity of the storytelling but also allow people to tell their stories in an environment that’s comfortable,” said Nathaniel Grouille, Netflix’s senior manager of unscripted originals and acquisitions. “We have to protect everyone in that case.”
Grouille shared a story about a crew’s interview with a drug dealer getting interrupted by Swat kicking down the door. Everyone got arrested — crew included...
That was the consensus of the exec gathered at an Hrts event, held Tuesday night in Beverly Hills, about the business of producing true crime. Not only must the story be compelling enough to draw an audience, but it must also be presented in a “fair and balanced” way, showing all sides of situations that are bound to be incredibly sensitive.
“Our job is to balance the objectivity of the storytelling but also allow people to tell their stories in an environment that’s comfortable,” said Nathaniel Grouille, Netflix’s senior manager of unscripted originals and acquisitions. “We have to protect everyone in that case.”
Grouille shared a story about a crew’s interview with a drug dealer getting interrupted by Swat kicking down the door. Everyone got arrested — crew included...
- 8/29/2018
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix has ordered a big-budget historical drama doc series from Jane Root's Nutopia as a new structure for its original series begins to emerge. The SVoD service has commissioned 6-part The Last Czars, about the fall of the Romanov dynasty in Russia, from The Story Of Us producer. The series has been tagged as a Netflix Alternative commission, emerging from its fledgling non-scripted series division, overseen by executives including Nat Grouille and Brandon…...
- 11/8/2017
- Deadline TV
BBC America has given the green light to vehicle transformation series Mud, Sweat & Gears. The eight-episode series, produced by BBC Worldwide Productions for BBC America and BBC Worldwide’s new Brit channel, will be hosted by Tom ‘Wookie’ Ford and Jonny Smith — two UK car journalists. Each week, the pair will work as rival captains for two teams of car enthusiasts. They will have 24 hours to reconstruct ordinary vehicles and complete competitive stunt challenges. Perry Simon, General Manager of BBC America, called it a perfect fit for the network’s Top Gear driven Monday lineup. Top Gear, in its 21st season, is on target for its highest rated season yet in the U.S. Production begins shooting next month in California. Mud, Sweat & Gears also will launch across the BBC’s international channels and is the first original commission to be announced for BBC Brit – the new male-skewing factual entertainment...
- 2/27/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.