One of the hot tickets at this year’s London TV screenings, “Gone” from George Kay, creator/screenwriter of “The Hijack,” “Long Shadow” and “Lupin,” posted strong pre-orders on four continents, led by BritBox deals in the U.S. and Canada.
Other pre-sales for the new psychological thriller starring David Morrissey (Sherwood) and Eve Miles (Keeping Faith) are live across both major broadcast networks and streaming services in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe.
Partners include Norwegian public broadcaster NRK and Australian streaming service Stan. Sky New Zealand has also licensed ‘Gone’, which will be broadcast on Three and streamed on ThreeNow.
Across Asia, A3Media International has signed pre-sales deals with BBC Studios’ premium SVOD drama channel, BBC First, and its multi-genre SVOD platform, BBC Player.
The six-part series will be one of the featured scripted titles at All3Media International’s London screening show on February 26th.
In Gone, scheduled to air on ITV and ITVX in March, Morrissey plays the headmaster of an elite British private school whose wife suddenly disappears. When Detective Annie Cassidy (Miles) enters the scene, believing Polly to be the prime suspect, Gone begins as a high-stakes psychological drama thriller between Cassidy, who is eager to attack, and Polly, who keeps her advice.
It comes with his caste and class. The trailer for “Gone,” released in mid-February, begins not with Polly, but with him at his school. The school dates back to Tudor times and its façade boasts an elegant 19th-century Anglo-Italian renovation. Polly was also captured in the school’s main hall addressing students with the school emblem on her back. We move on to Polly’s country house.
This man is the mouthpiece of the British establishment, a moral arbiter whose ethics should not be lightly questioned. Miles Cassidy appears in the trailer in the first close-up, a little larger than usual. He stares at Polly across the table in the police interrogation room with an air of incredulity.
This is “a story about privilege and prejudice,” Kaye said when Gone was announced. “The truth is tantalizingly close. At least that’s what Annie thinks,” he teased. Kay’s Observatory Pictures, backed by All3Media, co-produces with New Pictures in partnership with All3Media International.
“Gone” Eve Miles as Annie and David Morrissey as Michael Copyright New Pictures, All3Media International
“Gone Eve” Miles as Annie and David Morrissey as Michael Copyright New Pictures, All3Media International
“George Kay’s latest series, which blends psychological mysteries, claustrophobic thrillers and layered character dramas, is resonating with international buyers, as evidenced by our impressive line-up of premium partners in pre-sale, including Britbox,” said Jennifer Askin, Vice President, Americas, All3 Media International.
“With its atmospheric setting, stellar cast led by David Morrissey and Eve Miles, and tightly constructed cat-and-mouse narrative, ‘Gone’ delivers sustained tension and wide audience appeal,” she added. “We look forward to announcing further details to buyers at our upcoming upfront event this week.”
“Beyond its central mystery, ‘Gone’ delves into themes of trauma, trust and the long shadow cast by elite organizations, giving the drama an even deeper emotional and social edge, along with thriller elements,” All3 Media International said in a press statement on Wednesday.
Gone, written and produced by Kaye, will be directed by BAFTA Award winner Richard Ruxton (Mrs. Wilson, The Thief and the Canoe). The cast also includes Jennifer Macbeth, Arthur Hughes, Nicholas Nunn, Elliot Cowan, Billy Barratt, Rupert Evans, Jodie Macnee, Oscar Butterham and Claire Higgins.
“Gone” is produced by Mark Hedges (“Hannah,” “The Rising”). Kaye, Ruxton, Willow Grylls (Death, Missing) and Matt Sandford (The Long Shadow) will serve as executive producers.
‘Gone’ is a work of fiction, A3Media Intl. insists, however, that the film is partly inspired by the book ‘Hunting the Killer’ and the real-world work of former Detective Superintendent Julie McKay and ITV crime correspondent Robert Murphy, who worked as consultants on the show.
