K.T Simpson
Aussie streamer Stan, and US film and TV hub Lionsgate today announced they have entered into a new television development agreement for world-class Stan Originals for Lionsgate to deliver worldwide outside Australia.
The new development agreement builds on Stan’s existing partnership with Lionsgate, with Stan last year extending its separate content output agreement with Lionsgate for a raft of new and exclusive U.S. dramas.
Stan’s development partnership with Lionsgate will see the development of a brand new slate of Stan Originals, including the megachurch family drama series Prosper, drama series The Geography of Friendship and outback comedy crime series Population: 11.
A razor-sharp drama of faith, ambition and divided loyalties, Prosper is set in the inner sanctum of a family bound together by unfathomable wealth and unchecked power as they build an evangelical megachurch hell-bent on global domination. Developed with the support of Stan, Lionsgate, Screen NSW and Screen Australia, Prosper is written by lead creative and executive producer Matt Cameron (Jack Irish, Secret City), Liz Doran (Barons, Please Like Me), Louise Fox (Glitch, Broadchurch) and Belinda Chayko (Fires, Stateless). The series is being developed by Jason Stephens (Lambs of God, Upright) and Helen Bowden (The Secret She Keeps) for Lingo Pictures.
Jointly developed and produced by Aquarius Films and Rose Byrne’s Dollhouse Pictures for Lionsgate and Stan, The Geography of Friendship is based on Sally Piper’s acclaimed novel of the same name and follows three female school friends in past and present timeframes. When a hike celebrating the end of school culminates in a violent confrontation, the trio go their separate ways and remain estranged until decades later when they reunite to retrace their steps, seeking closure, connection and redemption.
Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford from Aquarius Films (The Unusual Suspects, Love Me, Lion) are developing and producing the series along with Dollhouse Pictures’ producer Jessica Carrera (Seriously Red) and executive producers Rose Byrne (Physical), Giula Sandler and Aquarius Films’ Miranda Culley. Sandler (White House Farm, Bloom) will lead the writing team, which includes Tamara Asmar (On the Ropes, Doctor Doctor) and Dollhouse Pictures’ Krew Boylan (Seriously Red). Gracie Otto (Stan Original Series Bump) will direct. Aquarius Films delivered two highly successful seasons of acclaimed Stan Original Series The Other Guy.
Developed by Jungle Entertainment for Stan with Lionsgate, and development funding from Screen NSW, Population: 11 is a comedic crime thriller that takes place in a tiny outback town where a man goes missing and a desperate stranger arrives to investigate its motley crew of townsfolk. Inspired by true events, Population: 11 is created by AACTA Award-winner Phil Lloyd (The Moodys, Review With Myles Barlow), who will executive produce alongside Trent O’Donnell (Stan Original Series No Activity, Ghosts) and Jason Burrows (Stan Original Series No Activity, Wakefield), with Bridget Callow-Wright producing (Stan Original Special No Activity: The Night Before Christmas). Jungle Entertainment received support for this project through Screen Australia and Australians in Film’s Global Producers Exchange program.
Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie said: “This expanded partnership with Lionsgate, one of the world’s most prestigious studios, will see Stan bolster its production capability as we continue to deliver more world-class, Australian made Stan Originals to our subscribers. We look forward to working with Lionsgate and some of Australia’s most sought after creatives to develop these outstanding new series.”
Lionsgate President, International Television and Digital Distribution Agapy Kapouranis said: “Stan has been an incredible partner to Lionsgate and we’re eagerly looking forward to our new development venture. We already have an exciting lineup of new originals in the works with renowned Australian producers, storytellers and talent. These series reflect a diverse mix of drama, comedy and mystery and are just the tip of the iceberg of a robust pipeline of premium content we’ll create together for a global audience.”
Acting Head of Screen NSW David Gordon said: “Screen NSW has a long history of supporting the local industry to deliver on a global scale, and we’re thrilled to support Stan as it joins forces with Hollywood studio Lionsgate to develop a slate of new productions, in our own backyard. This initiative is especially rewarding and will see the development of two blockbuster projects come to life, drama series Prosper, and outback thriller series Population: 11, and we can’t wait for audiences to see these series when they premiere on Stan.”
The deal was orchestrated for Lionsgate by Kapouranis and Senior Vice President of International TV Acquisitions & Co-Productions Marc Lorber. Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie, Head of Scripted Amanda Duthie and Head of Business Affairs Cymbeline Johnson negotiated the deal on behalf of Stan.
