Munich-based production and distribution giant Beta Film has announced the acquisition of international sales rights for the Greek drama series "The Beach." This series, which has taken Greek public broadcaster ERT by storm, has become a primetime sensation in Greece.
"The Beach" is a 24-part, one-hour series that transports viewers to an idyllic commune on the shores of Crete in the year 1969. Here, love and freedom entwine in a compelling narrative, but things take a dark turn when a murder reveals the complicated relationships among the hippie residents. Even the most straightlaced police officer assigned to investigate the crime can't resist the allure of paradise.
Stefanos Blatsos, known for "Love After," takes the director's chair for this hit drama, which is set at Matala Beach in Crete. The series is brought to life through the scripts of George Chrysovitsanos and Kostas Gerampinis. The cast includes Danai Michalaki, who plays the role of Hypatia, a London-based doctor returning to her hometown, where she crosses paths with Harry, portrayed by Dimitris Mothonaios.
Since its debut on ERT in early September, "The Beach" has captured the hearts of Greek viewers, with nearly one in three tuning in. The show has dominated primetime television slots and consistently topped the trending tab on social media, achieving a remarkable peak market share of 15%. This success has more than doubled ERT1's daily ratings average, propelling the channel to the top ranks nationwide.
Produced by Foss Productions in collaboration with ERT, the series drew nearly one million viewers for its linear premiere. Furthermore, it amassed an impressive 3.6 million on-demand views on ERTFLIX, the official video-on-demand platform of the local commissioning broadcaster, marking a historic achievement. Thanks to this groundbreaking triumph, upcoming seasons of "The Beach" have already received the green light.
Beta Film's Mipcom slate includes over 20 new dramas and seasons from 15 countries, totalling 300 hours of fresh content. Among the highlights is "Concordia," produced by Frank Doelger and backed by multi-Emmy awards. This series, co-produced by Intaglio, ZDF, France TV, Hulu Japan, and MBC, will make its world premiere at the Palais de Festivals in Cannes. Additionally, the Channel 4-Starz crime drama "The Couple Next Door," starring Sam Heughan ("Outlander") and Eleonor Tomlinson ("Poldark"), promises to be an exciting addition.
Other noteworthy titles in Beta Film's lineup include "Elsa Morante's La Storia," an adaptation of the iconic Italian novel set in Rome after the Second World War, and "Estonia," a high-budget civil maritime disaster series by Måns Månsson ("Chernobyl"), which debuted at the Toronto Film Festival. The Ukrainian drama "In Her Car," shot in a war-torn country, is also having its market premiere, offering a unique perspective into an ongoing crisis.
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