Monday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

Finland drama Healer to be sold by Rabbit Films

Rabbit Films has landed international distribution rights to Finnish psychological thriller Healer (aka Parantaja).

The 6 x 45-minute series is produced by local roducer Fire Monkey for Elisa Viihde and follows a respected surgeon whose career and identity collapse after a fatal medical error leaves a pregnant patient dead.

It has been created and written by Laura Suhonen and directed by Marja Pyykkö. Cast includes Lotta Kaihua, Mimosa Willamo, Jussi Nikkilä, Lauri Tilkanen, Petteri Summanen and Stella Leppikorpi.

Rabbit Films will represent Healer as both a finished tape and a scripted format, with rights available worldwide excluding Finland and Estonia.

BBC Studios eyes comedian to lead Top Gear UK

Comedian Jimmy Carr is close to being signed as the new host of Top Gear after the series was halted in 2023 following former host Freddie Flintoff’s car crash, a report has claimed.

BBC Studios is closing in on signing the comic as the first star in a new line-up for a rebooted series, four years after it was shelved due to Flintoff’s accident, The Sun reported.

The newspaper also suggested a new series could air as soon as next year, with work already starting on bringing the series back to screen.

It is not clear who would join Carr in the ensemble, although The Sun said casting directors are working to find talent, including digital talent.

WedoTV strikes VIDAA pact

Streaming channel operator wedotv has renewed and expanded its global distribution agreement with smart TV platform VIDAA.

The deal adds carriage in the MENA region and South Africa, and broadens the portfolio of wedotv channels through the platform.

Under the expanded agreement, wedotv Sports MENA and wedotv Cars are being added to the partnership. In MENA, VIDAA has launched wedotv Sports MENA and wedotv Cars. In South Africa, the platform has added wedotv Big Stories, wedotv Cars, and the single-IP channel wedotv: Piel Salvaje.