Agatha Raisin returns for a full 8x60’ series on Sky 1
“Sumptuously filmed and stacked with acting talent” - The Times
As part of Sky’s commitment to producing ambitious, high quality drama, Sky 1 today announces the recommission of the exuberant and quirky crime drama, Agatha Raisin as it returns to the channel for a full series. Following the success of last year’s one-off Christmas special, Agatha Raisin and The Quiche of Death, the new series will return for 8 stand-alone stories based on the books and stories of MC Beaton.
Ashley Jensen (Ugly Betty) will resume her role as the notorious Agatha, along with Mathew Horne (Gavin and Stacey) who plays best friend Roy and Katy Wix (Not Going Out) who plays Ashley’s cleaning lady Gemma. The eight stories confirmed are Walkers of Dembley, Hell's Bells, Wellspring of Death, Potted Gardener, Vicious vet, Day the Floods Came, Witch of Wyckhadden and Murderous Marriage.
Other returning cast include: Matt McCooey and Jason Barnett as unlikely crime fighting duo PC Wong and DI Wilkes and Jamie Glover (Luther) as Agatha’s on-off love interest James. Further casting will be announced closer to transmission.
Adam McDonald: Director of Sky 1 comments: “The Quiche of Death quickly established itself as a favourite amongst Sky 1 customers so I’m delighted to be welcoming Agatha Raisin and her escapades back to the channel. Fortunately, thanks to the incredibly talented MC Beaton we had another 24 brilliant stories to choose from.”
The screenplays will be written by Stewart Harcourt (Love & Marriage) and Chris Murray (Midsomer Murders). The Executive Producers are Cameron Roach for Sky, Michele Buck for Mammoth Screen and Barry Ryan and David Walton for Free@Last TV. The series will be produced by Matthew Mulot and directed by Geoff Sax, both of whom worked on The Quiche of Death single film. International distribution will again be handled by Sky Vision which has sold The Quiche of Death to ABC Australia, France Televisions, TV4, Sky New Zealand & Digiturk. DVD rights for the entire series have been acquired by Acorn Media for the UK, US, Canada & New Zealand.
From Mammoth Screen (Endeavour, Parades End), and Free@Last TV (Martina Cole’s Lady Killers, Gina Las Vegas) and developed in association with Raydar Media, Agatha Raisin has been commissioned by Sky 1 Director, Adam MacDonald, Sky’s Head of Drama, Anne Mensah and Commissioning Editor, Cameron Roach.
The series will sit at the heart of Sky 1’s offering of fresh and modern entertainment, which includes the return of Karl Pilkington: The Moaning of Life, 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy and A League of Their Own, as well as brand new dramas You, Me and the Apocalypse and Fungus the Bogeyman.
Agatha Raisin will be shot on location in the Cotswolds this summer.
For further information please contact:
Sky
Charlotte Jordan
Publicist, Sky 1
020 7032 1496
About Sky
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