National Treasure – Hulu Acquires US Rights To UK Drama, Sets Release Date

ACCLAIMED DRAMA SERIES NATIONAL TREASURE JOINS HULU ORIGINAL SLATE

SANTA MONICA, CA – In a deal with All3Media International, Hulu has acquired the U.S. rights to all episodes of hit series National Treasure, the ratings-winning drama produced by The Forge Entertainment for Channel 4. The first season of the series from Jack Thorne will debut in the U.S. as a Hulu Original on March 1, 2017.

After debuting on UK’s Channel 4 to strong ratings, National Treasure quickly became a must-see television event. Hulu’s audience will soon be able to experience the series in its entirety when all episodes land on the service under the Hulu Original slate.

The four-part drama series from BAFTA-winning writer Jack Thorne and The Forge Entertainment was Channel 4’s highest-rated series each day it aired. In addition to receiving critical acclaim and overwhelming praise from viewers throughout its compelling first season, National Treasure is now the highest-rated drama to premiere on the network.

Written by Jack Thorne (This is England ‘86, ‘88 and ‘90, Skins, The Last Panthers) and executive produced by George Faber (Shameless, Elizabeth I, The Shadow Line) and George Ormond (War and Peace, Silent Witness), National Treasure is a compelling and timely four-part serial drama examining the fallout that occurs when accusations of sexual misconduct are lodged against a fictional public figure, exploring their impact on the accused and those most closely associated with him as he is brought to trial. The series follows Paul Finchley, played by BAFTA-winner Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter, Cracker, Tutti Frutti), as a bona fide “national treasure” and one half of a popular, long-running comedy double act. The famous comedian’s world is thrown into chaos when he is accused of historic sexual abuse. BAFTA-winner Julie Walters (Harry Potter, Brooklyn, Brave, Mamma Mia, Billy Elliott, Educating Rita), Andrea Riseborough (Nocturnal Animals, Birdman, Oblivion) and Tim McInnerny (Notting Hill, Blackadder, Game of Thrones) also star.

“We’re very pleased to sign such a significant deal with Hulu for The Forge and Channel 4’s National Treasure – our first ORIGINAL drama with this leading SVOD platform,” said Sally Habbershaw, EVP, Sales & Co-productions USA for All3Media International. “This bold and poignant series – a compelling and thoroughly absorbing drama that explores the impact of historical assault charges on all sides of the courtroom – has received wide critical acclaim globally and Hulu is the right partner to ensure its success in the USA. Through Jack Thorne and Marc Munden’s writing and directing craft respectively – as well as career defining performances from an hugely impressive star-studded cast, National Treasure is a stand-out, significant drama.”

National Treasure’s international success to date includes screenings at Film Festival Cologne, FIPA, International Film Festival Rotterdam, and Roma Fiction Festival. At Roma, the show won two awards Best Actor (Robbie Coltrane) and the Special Jury Award. National Treasure also received two award nominations at C21 Drama Awards, Best Female Performance in a Drama Series (Julie Waters) and Best Male Performance in a Drama Series (Robbie Coltrane) and is tipped to be a major awards contender for all major British categories in the 2017 award roll-out.

The series joins Hulu’s growing slate of original programming set to premiere in 2017, including THE HANDMAID’S TALE, a drama series adapted from Margaret Atwood’s influential and acclaimed novel starring Golden Globe® Winner Elisabeth Moss; Harlots, a co-commissioned series from Hulu and ITV; the second season of The Path starring Aaron Paul, Michelle Monaghan and Hugh Dancy; critically-acclaimed series The Mindy Project; and Golden Globe® nominated comedy series, Casual.

National Treasure is produced by The Forge Entertainment for Channel 4, UK. The Forge Entertainment (National Treasure) Limited has been supported by the Yorkshire Content Fund in association with Lip Sync Productions. (Hulu)