Enid Blyton’s ‘The Famous Five’ Returns for Season 2 on BBC, Nicolas Winding Refn Exec Produces – Global Bulletin
FIVE FIND FRESH FOOTING
The BBC, Moonage Pictures and Nicolas Winding Refn have begun production on a second season of “The Famous Five.” The 2 x 90′ instalment, created for television and executive produced by Refn and Matthew Read of Moonage, follows the success of the first series, which saw its premiere become CBBC’s top-rated episode in 2023. The series, based on Enid Blyton‘s books, continues to follow the young protagonists’ adventures, now set against the backdrop of wartime.
The new season comprises two episodes: “Mystery at the Prospect Hotel,” directed by Asim Abbasi, and “Big Trouble on Billycock Hill,” helmed by Tom Vaughn. Both directors also serve as executive producers alongside Refn and Read.
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Core cast members Diaana Babnicova, Elliott Rose, Kit Rakusen and Flora Jacoby Richardson reprise their roles, joined by Maria Pedraza, Amir Wilson and Jemima Rooper, who played George in the 1990s adaptation.
BBC Studios will handle international distribution, except in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, where The Mediapro Studio, a co-producer, holds the rights.
BERLINALE BREAKOUT
Chhatrapal Ninawe‘s Berlinale 2023 premiering “Ghaath” is set for a Sept. 27 theatrical release in India. The Marathi-language thriller, set in Maoist-occupied jungles, will roll out in the state of Maharashtra before expanding to other Indian metros and North America.
Produced by Shiladitya Bora‘s Platoon One and Manish Mundra‘s Drishyam Films, the film stars Jitendra Joshi and Milind Shinde. “Ghaath” nabbed the Lab Award at Film Bazaar’s Work-In-Progress Lab and also screened at the Mumbai and Kerala film festivals.
The feature, lensed by “The Hunt for Veerappan” cinematographer Udit Khurana, explores themes of trust and betrayal in a conflict-ridden setting. The producers have submitted the film for consideration as India’s official Oscar entry.
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