Glasgow media firm STV Group plc said its STV Studios business has confirmed four new commissions and recommissions, including a second series of international thriller Criminal Recor for Apple TV+.
“Executive Produced by Elaine Collins of Tod Productions and written by Paul Rutman, Criminal Record is a powerful thriller set in the heart of contemporary London,” said STV.
“Series 2 features the return of the two detectives – Detective Chief Inspector Hegarty played by Peter Capaldi and Detective Sergeant June Lenker played by Cush Jumbo – clashing once more in a complex murder investigation. The series is co-produced by Tod Productions and STV Studios.”
STV said Ross Kemp will return to BBC One and iPlayer as hit quiz show Bridge of Lies and Celebrity Bridge of Lies have both been recommissioned.
“STV Studios will start filming (25×45 episodes) later this year for its fourth series, after a successful series three reached an audience of 1.4M,” said STV.
“The celebrity version will film for its third series. Celebrity Bridge of Lies is being extended to 10×45′ episodes in its Saturday night slot, with the last series reaching a peak of 2.3M. Filming begins in Glasgow later this year.”
STV said Brighton-based production company Hello Mary has been commissioned to produce a second series of The Royals: A History of Scandals for More4 and Channel 4’s streaming service. The six part series, due to air later this year, will once again see Professor Suzannah Lipscombe delve deep into Britain’s extensive regal history.
Further, Channel 4 has commissioned a new competition series called The Game of Wool for More 4.
“This 8×60′ episode series, produced by Glasgow based Hello Halo, sees 10 ambitious creatives take on a series of complex challenges where they have the chance to win a money-can’t-buy prize and be the UK’s first TV knitting champion,” added STV.
This news follows a recent announcement detailing five commissions in June and July for STV Studios labels, including shows for ITV, BBC2, iPlayer, Channel 4 and E4.
STV Studios MD David Mortimer said: “Following the global success of the first series, I’m thrilled that Apple TV+ has committed to a second series of our critically acclaimed thriller, Criminal Record.
“Landmark dramas like this, together with strong returning factual and entertainment series alongside exciting new formats with international appeal, are driving the creative and commercial momentum within STV Studios.
“We’re pleased to be making such strong strategic progress in what remains a very challenging commissioning market.”