Poirot Wows Japanese Market For ITV Studios

ITV Studios Global Entertainment, ITV’s international distribution business, has shipped the latest series of its primetime dramas Agatha Christie’s Poirot and Agatha Christie’s Marple to NHK Japan it was announced today.
Scheduled to air on the NHK BS-Premium, a high definition satellite channel in 2012, the acquisition continues the national broadcaster’s long-term commitment to the two award-winning drama franchises based on Agatha Christie’s novels.
NHK Japan has picked up a total of 12 TV movies including the recently launched twelfth series of Agatha Christie’s Poirot and the fourth and fifth series of Agatha Christie’s Marple.
Augustus Dulgaro, Senior Vice President Asia Pacific, commented today, “This renewed deal with Japan’s main broadcaster is a fantastic example of the continued demand for high-quality UK produced drama in Asia.
"Both Poirot and Marple have performed very well for NHK over the years, achieving strong ratings and critical acclaim, and we are delighted to see these two legendary crime sleuths returning to entertain Japanese audiences with new murder mysteries in 2012”.
Series 12 sees world-famous fictional detective Hercule Poirot (David Suchet, The In-Laws, Henry VIII) return in one of the world’s most popular primetime television series, now watched in more than 200 territories worldwide.
This latest 4 x 95’ series of Agatha Christie’s Poirot features guest performances by a stellar cast including Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Dame Eileen Atkins (Cranford) and Martin Shaw (Inspector George Gently).
Celebrated actress Julia McKenzie (Cranford, Notes On A Scandal) makes her debut in the role as Agatha Christie’s shrewd and inquisitive Miss Jane Marple in series four and five of Agatha Christie’s Marple.
Murderers underestimate Miss Marple at their peril in these stunning 8 x 95’ mysteries, starring exceptional international casts including Matthew McFadyen (Pride & Prejudice), Benedict Cumberbatch (Atonement), Jemma Redgrave (Cold Blood) and Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous).
ITV1 and ITV Studios recently announced that Agatha Christie’s Marple has been recommissioned for a further three films and that production will commence on the remaining Poirot novels and short stories in 2012.
Agatha Christie’s Poirot and Agatha Christie’s Marple are both produced by ITV Studios with WGBH Boston and Agatha Christie Ltd.
(BMcC)