Channel 5 and Acorn TV have jointly commissioned new six part thriller, The Reluctant Madame Blanc (w.t), written by Sally Lindsay and Sue Vincent.

Acorn Media International are the distributor for the series, which is co-produced by Clapperboard (Cold Call) and Saffron Cherry Productions. The Reluctant Madame Blanc (w.t) will have its world premiere exclusively on AMC Networks’ streaming service Acorn TV in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain, and will be broadcast on Channel 5 in the UK, followed by a second window on Acorn TV UK.

The announcement follows the recent commission from Channel 5 and Acorn TV for Dalgliesh (6 x 60”) starring Bertie Carvel.

The new six-part series follows Jean White, a renowned and respected antiques dealer, running a successful business in leafy Cheshire with her husband, Rory. Jean learns that Rory has tragically died on his way home from their vintage treasure-trove stomping grounds in the South of France.

Things are about to take a darker turn when she discovers that along with her husband, all of their money has disappeared, their shop re-mortgaged to the hilt and their assets pawned off. With the final thousands in their joint account ironically spent on Rory’s funeral, Jean’s life is set adrift…until her solicitor informs her of one thing her beloved did not sell: their cottage in French antiques hub, Saint Victoire. And when Jean finds out that the lavish ring Rory was bringing back to her is nowhere to be found, she quickly realises something is amiss and does the first thing she can think of; arriving in Saint Victoire, will Jean get the answers she is searching for?

The creator of The Reluctant Madame Blanc (w.t) is Sally Lindsay (Cold Call, Mount Pleasant) who will also star as Jean White. Sally has co-written the series with Sue Vincent (Mount Pleasant, Shameless) who will also have an on-screen role. Full casting will be announced later this year.

The series will be directed by Dermot Boyd (Mount Pleasant) and produced by Andy Morgan (Tin Star). Acorn Media Enterprises’ Catherine Mackin serves as executive producer on the series for Acorn TV, whilst Mike Benson (Cold Call) is Executive Producer for Clapperboard and Caroline Roberts-Cherry (The World According to Grandpa) for Saffron Cherry.

Creator and Lead Writer Sally Lindsay, Creative Director of Saffron Cherry, said: “I’ve always been fascinated by the worlds of antiques and Agatha Christie, so putting the two together and creating the world of St.Victoire with Sue has been an absolute joy. We are so excited to show the audience the stunning sunny locations and beautiful antiques cloaked in a veil of mystery and can’t wait for you to see what Jean unravels as she embarks on her new life in the sun.”

Sebastian Cardwell, Channel 5 Deputy Director of Programmes, ViacomCBS Networks UK commented: “Channel 5’s return to original Drama has been a great success, especially with Sally Lindsay starring in Cold Call in 2019, which was a real hit with our viewers. With a brilliant creative team at the helm, I have no doubt that this series will also have viewers hooked from the very beginning, impatiently waiting for the mystery to unravel in Saint Victoire!”

Catherine Mackin, Managing Director for Acorn Media Enterprises and Executive Producer for Acorn TV noted: “Sally Lindsay and Sue Vincent have created an exciting, immersive world with a beautiful setting, fascinating characters and enjoyable mysteries that Acorn TV’s subscribers across the globe are going to absolutely love.”

Mike Benson, Executive Producer for Clapperboard TV, said: “When Sally told me about her idea for an antique-centric crime series on the Mediterranean I was sold instantly! Along with Sue, Sally has created a world packed with hilarious characters, intricate mysteries and a quaint, sun-kissed town in St Victoire which I think viewers will want to escape to again and again.”

 

Jon Creamer

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