Premium television network HBO Nordic has secured pay TV rights to air Red Arrow International’s “Bosch” in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway. MTG has bought free TV rights for Sweden and Norway. The crime series will also go to Italy’s Eagle Pictures.
Produced by Fabrik Entertainment, “Bosch” is based on Michael Connelly’s book franchise, of which more than 55 million copies have been sold worldwide. The first season, which is currently in production for Amazon Studios, is directed by Jim McKay (“The Wire”, “Boss”, “Rectify”) and showrun by Peabody Award winner Eric Overmyer (“Treme”, “The Wire”, “Homicide: Life on the Street”). Hollywood veteran Titus Welliver (“Argo”, “The Good Wife”, “Lost”) stars as Harry Bosch in his first series lead role.
Overmyer, Connelly and Fabrik Entertainment’s Henrik Bastin and Mikkel Bondesen are Executive Producers. Pieter Jan Brugge is Co-Executive Producer, and Fabrik’s Tara Duncan is Producer. Red Arrow International manages international distribution.
The supporting cast includes Jamie Hector (“May Payne”) as Bosch’s partner, Jerry Edgar; Annie Wersching (“24”), who seduces Bosch as police officer Julia Brasher; and Lance Reddick (“The Wire”), who plays Harry’s nemesis, the LAPD’s Deputy Chief, Irvin Irving.
“At HBO Nordic, we are always looking for top content. We brand ourselves as The Home of Series and only the best is good enough for our subscribers. Based on the bestselling book franchise, and with people from iconic HBO Nordic classics such as The Wire, Deadwood, and Treme, ‘Bosch’ will without a doubt be an instant hit”, says Line Mykland, EVP Programming, Operations & Technology, HBO Nordic.
Jakob Mejlhede, Senior Vice President Acquisitions & Programming, MTG says “The ‘Bosch’ books are translated and widely read in Sweden and Norway, but the series will certainly appeal to a broad audience outside of Michael Connelly’s loyal readership on our channels. We’re very happy to have secured this promising series for our 2015 schedules.”
Silvia Tomasello, Director of TV Acquisitions and Sales at Eagle Pictures: “In the past, Eagle acquired ‘CSI: Vegas’ and many other series for distribution in the Italian territory. We were looking for a new crime series and we decided to invest in ‘Bosch’, with the idea of controlling all rights of an A level production that could be exploited from home video to TV with excellent results.”
Axel Böhm, Senior Vice President Sales, Europe at Red Arrow International says “Following the ‘Bosch’ pilot’s top-rated reception on Amazon earlier this year – where over 11,000 people voted, scoring it an extraordinary 4.7 out of 5 stars – we are all beyond excited about its series delivery for 2015. It’s a truly high quality production not to be missed! I’m thrilled with this Europe-wide pickup, to be continuing partnerships with HBO and MTG, and to have found a new partner in Eagle Pictures!”