Ben Silverman, Chairman of multimedia entertainment studio Electus, an operating business of IAC [NASDAQ: IACI], today announced a partnership with acclaimed showrunner and producer Marta Kauffman and her production company, Okay Goodnight, to adapt the hit ITV series Doc Martin for the U.S. market. The hugely successful format was optioned from DRG.
The deal brings together an extraordinary producing team and builds on Silverman's and Electus' worldwide leadership position in sourcing and adapting the top formats from around the globe, including the recently completed first season of Golden Globe-nominated and People's Choice and Peabody-winning Jane The Virgin, based on the Venezuelan telenovela, Juana La Virgen. Doc Martin also builds on Kauffman's brand of grounded, heartfelt comedy. She created and showran NBC's Friends and most recently created and is running Netflix's Grace and Frankie. Kauffman will executive produce Doc Martin with Robbie Tollin of Okay Goodnight, and Hannah KS will serve as co-producer. Silverman and Sean Canino will executive produce for Electus, for whom John Pollak - Electus' President of International - initiated and negotiated the U.S. format rights deal with DRG's Commercial Director, Wayne Davison.
In Doc Martin, successful surgeon Dr. Martin Ellingham abruptly leaves his London practice to become general practitioner in the sleepy fishing village of Portwenn, where he spent the holidays during his youth with his loving aunt but his unique and uncomfortable style immediately rub the locals the wrong way, and once they get a load of his abrasive attitude and lack of bedside manner, he quickly alienates most of the townsfolk.
Produced in the U.K. by Buffalo Pictures in association with HomeRun Productions, Doc Martin premiered on ITV in the U.K. in 2004 and is in production on its seventh hit season for broadcast in the fall. The British version and scripted format is distributed internationally by DRG, airing in more than 200 territories worldwide and has been adapted and produced in 7 countries including Germany, France, and Spain. The series won the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Drama having also been nominated as Best New TV Comedy.
"We are delighted to be working with Ben and his team on Doc Martin. It's rare to connect with other producers who share the same sensibility and vision the way we do," Kauffman said.
"We are thrilled to be adapting this hilarious smart show for America," said Electus Chairman Ben Silverman, "Doc Martin has charmed viewers worldwide with its excellent concept and unique style of comedy, and we're proud to be working with Marta Kauffman on this exciting show. She and her team are brilliant partners."
"With the success that DRG have had with exploiting the Doc Martin format internationally, it's tremendously exciting for us to be working with the fantastic team of Marta Kauffman, Ben Silverman and Electus to now bring the format to the U.S. market" said DRG's Commercial Director, Wayne Davison.
The collaboration builds on Kauffman's and Electus' recent scripted success, including the aforementioned
JANE THE VIRGIN and Grace and Frankie, as well as Amazon's Casanova drama starring Diego Luna, Netflix's
MARCO POLO and the upcoming Flaked series starring Will Arnett.
About Electus
Electus is the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world, including: broadcast, cable, digital, OTT and various emerging technologies. The company connects advertisers, distributors and content creators early on in the development process, enabling marketers and advertisers to be true partners in campaigns and content creation. Electus International, the global distribution arm of Electus, is responsible for all international sales and distribution for Electus' programming and its studio partners as well as programs and formats from other well-known 3rd party providers. Electus is an operating business of IAC [NASDAQ: IACI]. For more information on Electus, visit www.electus.com.
About Okay Goodnight
Okay Goodnight is a multi-media, multi-platform production company based in Los Angeles. They are a creative collective that sets out to be known as influential joymakers by both the creative teams they work with and audiences around the globe. Since its launch in 2014, Okay Goodnight has brought
GRACE AND FRANKIE to series with Netflix, and is in development on several comedies, dramas, miniseries and documentaries at cable, premium, and digital outlets. Helmed by Marta Kauffman, and joined by industry veteran Robbie Tollin and Hannah KS, Okay Goodnight is a company of women with a discerning taste for stories and characters with heart and humanity.
About DRG
DRG is one of the world's leading independent distributors of content, representing a host of internationally recognised production companies. DRG's independence means it is uniquely positioned to sell every programme it represents on its own merit. DRG has a number of strategic partnerships with broadcasters and producers of high-quality programming, and the expertise to maximize value of content and rights in a rapidly evolving, multiplatform world. Backed by MTG, the company has a strong creative track record and the ability to build international brands, working with the widest range of respected clients, from independent producers to international TV networks; from web and app developers and social networks; from individual talent to media agencies and global brands.
Photo courtesy of ITV
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