Film comedies could move to TV
- British comedy films could be adapted to become TV series
- Distributor Lionsgate is looking to exploit its film assets
- A film-to-TV trend has become prevalent in America in recent years
Film distributors Lionsgate are looking to adapt some of their British film catalogue to become TV series.
Television industry publication Broadcast is reporting that the company has hired Steve November, former head of drama at ITV, to oversee its move into British television production.
The company made its first investment in British TV last year, co-producing sitcom Damned for Channel 4, a social services comedy starring Jo Brand and Alan Davies, which is returning for a second series later in 2017.
An established film distribution company, it owns the rights to comedy films such as Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel, Filth, Bend It Like Beckham and Eddie The Eagle.
The move follows the latest Hollywood scheme of turning popular films into TV series in the US. Lionsgate has already remade Dirty Dancing as a mini-series there.
Zygi Kamasa, chief executive of Lionsgate UK told told the publication: "Americans are doing it with everything from Limitless to Lethal Weapon and Steve is looking to do that with our British and American movies. Something might not be right for an American series but it may be right for a British series."
Additional experienced production staff are expected to join November's team in the coming months, with the company aiming to produce and/or invest in up to seven UK series per year.
The company's other British film holdings include Love, Rosie, Absolutely Anything, What We Did On Our Holiday, It's All Gone Pete Tong, and Salmon Fishing In The Yemen.