FLEMING (w/t)
From Sky Atlantic with love
Dominic Cooper will portray the celebrated author Ian Fleming
Sky Atlantic HD today (17th January 2013) announces that film star DOMINIC COOPER will take the lead role in FLEMING (working title), a new original drama about the life of Bond creator Ian Fleming. The four part drama from Ecosse Films is a co-production for Sky Atlantic and BBC AMERICA and distributed by BBC Worldwide.
Since Casino Royale was published in 1953, the world has been fascinated with James Bond. FLEMING (W/T) takes a no holds barred look at Ian Fleming, the man behind the James Bond legend whose real life was as exciting, eventful and sexually charged as his famous creation.
DOMINIC COOPER (The Devil’s Double, The History Boys) will play Ian Fleming, a charming, sophisticated maverick whose dilettanti, pleasure seeking life was turned around by WWII and led to the creation of the best known spy the world has ever known.
About his casting, COOPER said:
“'Stepping into the shoes of the spy who not only created the enigmatic character of 007, but who fantasised about being him, has to be every actor's dream. I am honoured that Sky Atlantic and Ecosse have given me this opportunity.”
The outbreak of WWII saw a young Fleming as an unsuccessful stockbroker already with a failed army career behind him, living off his rich family whilst indulging his passions of alcohol, erotic literature and sexual conquests.
But having been forced into Naval Intelligence through family connections, Fleming found a calling. Utilising his vivid imagination, charm and mischievous sense of humour he was responsible for some of the most outrageous counter intelligence missions against the Nazis, full of danger and intrigue, the experience of which would form the basis of the Bond books.
Set against the permissive society of war-torn London, where champagne (and martinis) were always flowing and beds were always being swapped, FLEMING (W/T)explores the early life of the charming, enigmatic creator of 007.
FLEMING (W/T) joins a growing slate of original UK drama commissions for Sky Atlantic HD, which began with critically acclaimed mini-series HIT & MISS and recent detective thriller, FALCÓN. Other original drama commissions on Sky Atlantic HD include the recent announcement of THE TUNNEL (w/t). The commission is part of Sky’s commitment to increase investment in original British content by 50%, and by 2014, Sky expects to invest £600 million a year in British programmes across its portfolio of channels.
Elaine Pyke, Director of Sky Atlantic, said: “FLEMING is a great addition to Sky Atlantic’s growing drama slate; exciting, thrilling and with the ambition and scale of a film, I can’t wait for our customers to get an insight into the real-life Bond and the creation of a global icon”
Douglas Rae, Executive Producer for Ecosse Films, added: “Ian Fleming’s story is as dramatic and entertaining as any of the Bond films. I’m thrilled that we are able to tell this extraordinary story on such an exciting channel as Sky Atlantic.”
FLEMING (W/T)is an Ecosse Films production, exclusively for Sky Atlantic HD, Directed by Mat Whitecross (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, The Road to Guantanamo) and Written by John Brownlow (Sylvia starring Daniel Craig and Gwenyth Paltrow) and Don MacPherson (Entrapment, starring Sean Connery). BBC America are co-producers of the series and BBC Worldwide will distribute the series globally.
The series was commissioned by Anne Mensah, Sky’s Head of Drama. Huw Kennair-Jones is Executive Producer for Sky, Ecosse Films’ Douglas Rae, Michael Parke and Robert Bernstein also Executive Produce. FLEMING (W/T)is Produced by Sarah Curtis.
FLEMING (W/T)will be shot on location in the United Kingdom and Budapest in early 2013 and will transmit on Sky Atlantic HD later this year.
Notes to editor
For more information contact:
Luke Morrison
Publicity Manager, Sky Atlantic HD
Tel: +44 (0)20 7032 1479
Mob: +44 (0)7584 580 026
Email: luke.morrison@bskyb.com
@Skyatlantic
William Nelson
Publicity Assistant, Sky Entertainment
Tel: +44(0)20 7032 6038
Mob: +44(0)7984 497594
Email: William.nelson@bskyb.com
Notes to Editors:
About Sky
Sky is the UK and Ireland’s leading home entertainment and communications company. Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.
Sky is the UK’s biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.3 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News. Around two-thirds of Sky’s content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes. More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.
Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator. Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.
Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi. NOW TV, Sky’s second consumer brand, builds on the company’s leadership in internet TV. Sky is also the UK's fastest-growing home communications company and favourite ‘triple-play’ provider of TV, broadband and home phone.
Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts. Sky employs 23,000 people, has annual revenues of £6.8 billion and is estimated to support a £5.4 billion contribution to UK GDP. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY). www.sky.com/corporate
Ecosse Films
Ecosse Films is a multi award-winning company, specialising in high-quality drama for film and television, producing 12 films and over 300 hours of network television for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Showtime, Starz Channel and WGBH.
A full biography for Ecosse Films is available on request.