Red Planet lands first look deal with Sony

Red Planet Pictures, the indie owned by Life on Marsand Hustleco-creator Tony Jordan, has struck a one-year first-look deal with US studio Sony Pictures Television.

Red Planet Pictures, the indie owned by Life on Marsand Hustleco-creator Tony Jordan, has struck a one-year first-look deal with US studio Sony Pictures Television.

Under the deal, Jordan, who was head writer on EastEndersfor several years, will focus on creating drama projects for the US market.

He will work with both British and American writers.

Launched last year, Red Planet's initial projects include the BBC's Holby Blueand ITV's Echo Beach.

Jordan already has some experience of working in the US, having teamed up with Simon Fuller's 19 TV in 2004 to create a half-hour soap opera for US network Fox.

More recently, a raft of British scripted formats have been picked up in the States, including Life on Mars, which is currently being adapted for ABC by David E Kelley.

Sony, meanwhile, has also signed a script deal with Foyle's Warand Midsomer Murderscreator Anthony Horowitz to develop a one-hour cop show with Sex and The Cityproducer Darren Star.

The studio already has a first-look deal with BBC Worldwide and is currently in production on the CBS drama Viva Laughlin, based on the BBC's Viva Blackpool.