Canadian, Scottish and Kiwi indies to co-produce series
Canadian producer-distributor Boat Rocker has boarded BBC Scotland and Sky New Zealand thriller The Ridge, which has been officially commissioned by the broadcasters.
Toronto-headquartered Boat Rocker (BBC3/BBC NI’s Video Nasty) has partnered with New Zealand’s Great Southern Studios (Friends Like Her) and David Murdoch’s Glasgow-based Sinner Films (The Most Assassinated Woman In The World) to co-produce the six parter, which emerged last year.
It will tell the story of a woman who accepts her estranged sister’s wedding invitation in New Zealand, fleeing her life of addiction in Scotland. But when she arrives, her sister is dead, triggering her to get swept up in the tensions of the local mountain community.
The Ridge is created and written by Nora Chassler and David Murdoch with writers Alan Campbell and Jess Sayer. Exec producers include Boat Rocker’s Ivan Schneeberg (Beacon 23) and David Fortier (Slip), president of global rights, franchise and content strategy Jon Rutherford (Bet), and senior vice-president of global co-production Erik Pack (Video Nasty).
Rutherford said: “We’re looking forward to partnering with the wonderful teams at Great Southern Studios and Sinner Films and commissioning partners at BBC Scotland and Sky New Zealand to bring this riveting, character-driven thriller to global audiences.”
BBC Scotland commissioning executive Gavin Smith said: “This commission is an example of our ambition to look beyond borders for innovative partnerships that bring high end scripted content to audiences not just in Scotland but across the world and we’re excited to see it come to life.”
The series has funding support from NZ On Air and the NZ Screen Production Rebate, and the deal was brokered by Pack and chief executive of Great Southern Studios Cate Calver.
Production will begin in January 2025 in New Zealand. It will be available to audiences on BBC Scotland, Sky Open and Neon in 2025. Boat Rocker will distribute internationally.
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