Fox International Channels (FIC) just announced that it has the exclusive broadcasting rights for the historical fantasy series from FlashForward creator David Goyer which will revolve around the life of a 25 year old Leonardo Da Vinci as a young Renaissance artist and inventor. Da Vinci's Demons has now been picked up straight to series as a new drama show with 8 episodes in the first season.
Da Vinci's Demons is a co-production between BBC Worldwide and the Starz TV channel in America. Under the terms of the deal with FIC, FIC will be the exculsive first window pay TV broadcaster of Da Vinci's Demons in FIC territories outside of the United States and Canada - such as South Africa and Africa. This means Da Vinci's Demons will be shown in South Africa and Africa as well as the Middle East, Europe and Asia in early 2013.
"Following the incredible success we've had with The Walking Dead, we were looking for a tentpole series that would be different in tone and story but equally powerful with audiences worldwide," says Sharon Tal Yguado, the senior vice president of scripted programming at FIC in a just released statement.
"David S. Goyer's vision of one of history's most enigmatic character knocked us off our feet. We are convinced Da Vinci's Demons is a real game-changer in the world of period dramas."
Da Vinci's Demons will follow the "untold" story of one of the world's greatest geniuses during his turbulent youth in Renaissance Florence. Leonardo Da Vinci will be seen as "a passionate 25 year old" who is an "artist, inventor, swordsman, lover, dreamer and idealist. As a free thinker, with intellect that are almost superhuman, he struggles to live within the confines of his own reality and time. He begins not only to see the future, but to invent it," says FIC.
"This is a bold and ambitious show from Starz and Jane Tranter's team which will sit really well with the range of great dramas currently available on FIC's channels," says Steve Macallister, the president and managing director for sales and distribution at BBC Worldwide.
"This production is particularly unique and should generate huge amounts of audience buzz. We're thrilled to be taking Da Vinci's Demons right across the globe, which seems very appropriate for arguably the world's most renowned polymath."
"FIC has a long and successful track record in spearheading multi-territory and global programming initiatives, from Dexter to The Walking Dead," says Jason Simms, FIC's senior vice president of global acquisitions. "We are delighted to partner with BBC Worldwide on this pretigious, ambitious and exciting new series."
