The Seven-Episode Comedy is Created and Written by Sharon Horgan, Holly Walsh, and Graham and Helen Linehan
“‘Motherland’ is one of the best TV comedies in the last 10 years, even if you’re not a parent” – The Mirror
Link to “Motherland” Trailer HERE
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New York, NY – April 19, 2018 – Sundance Now, AMC Networks’ premium video streaming service, announced today the acquisition of BAFTA-nominated hit British television series “Motherland” from global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), which has worldwide rights to the comedy. The critically-acclaimed series, written and created by Sharon Horgan, Holly Walsh, and Graham and Helen Linehan, will make its exclusive U.S. debut with the first two episodes premiering on the service Thursday, May 10th. New episodes of the half-hour comedy starring BAFTA-winner Anna Maxwell Martin (Philomena, The Night Watch), Lucy Punch (“A Series of Unfortunate Events”, Into the Woods, “Ben and Kate”), BAFTA-nominated Diane Morgan (“Cunk on Britain”, Me Before You, Funny Cow) and Paul Ready (The Death of Stalin, “The Terror”) will stream weekly every Thursday until its season one conclusion on June 14th.
“We are thrilled to partner with Lionsgate to premiere ‘Motherland,’ a hilariously honest and relatable portrayal of the hyper-competitive world of modern parenting, exclusively on Sundance Now following its successful first season on the BBC,” commented Jan Diedrichsen, General Manager of SundanceTV and Sundance Now. “The series is sharply written and features a great ensemble cast.”
“‘Motherland’ has been a great success for the BBC, and we’re delighted to have found a U.S. home for it on Sundance Now,” said Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television and Digital Distribution Jim Packer. “It’s a great addition to their deep roster of programming, and its wit, humor, and authenticity will resonate with all audiences.”
The series follows Julia (Anna Maxwell Martin), who always wanted her kids to be brought up like she was — by her mother. But instead her mom has abandoned her, so now she is thrown head first into the Motherland where it’s sink or swim. While she struggles with work and life she meets a full array of hands-on parents including the ‘Alpha Moms’ headed by Amanda (Lucy Punch), who is the Queen Bee: everything is organized, vacuum-packed and sterile — even the kitchen chalk board is a statement of success. At the other end of the spectrum is single mom Liz (Diane Morgan), who is low energy but full of life hacks. She has learned to do things her way. Then there’s Kevin (Paul Ready). He’s the stay-at-home Dad who embraces the Motherland with gusto — much to the irritation of the other mothers.
“Motherland” is written by BAFTA-winner Graham Linehan (“The IT Crowd”, “Count Arthur Strong,” “Father Ted”), Emmy-nominated and BAFTA-winner Sharon Horgan (“Catastrophe,” “Divorce,” “Pulling”), Helen Linehan and Holly Walsh (“Dead Boss”). It is a co-production between Delightful Industries, part of the Twofour Group, and Merman. BAFTA-winner Richard Boden (Blackadder Goes Fourth, “The IT Crowd”, “The Sketch Show”) produces for Delightful Industries and Broadcast Award-winner and BAFTA-nominated Clelia Mountford (“Bliss”, “A Young Doctor’s Notebook”, “Todd Margaret”) executive produces for Merman. Juliet May (“Miranda,” “Last Tango in Halifax,” “Call The Midwife”) directs.
The deal was negotiated on behalf of Sundance Now by Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions Aurelie de Troyer, and on behalf of Lionsgate by Vice President of Global SVOD Sales Chase Brisbin.
To stream all Sundance Now content via web, iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and Chromecast, visit SundanceNow.com and sign up for a free trial.
About Sundance Now
Sundance Now is AMC Networks’ premium streaming service, offering original and exclusive dramas, comedies, and true crime series, in addition to award-winning movies from every genre, including foreign-language and documentary features – all streaming commercial-free. Built on the Sundance legacy and curated by acclaimed filmmakers and cultural icons, Sundance Now is proud to present an extensive array of entertainment for a passionate and intellectually curious audience.
Follow Sundance Now on Twitter@sundance_now, Facebook@SundanceNow, Instagram@SundanceNow and YouTube@Sundance Now
About Lionsgate
The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global content platform whose films, television series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation audiences around the world. In addition to its filmed entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, gaming, virtual reality and other new entertainment technologies. Lionsgate’s content initiatives are backed by a 16,000-title film and television library and delivered through a global licensing infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the Company’s worldwide consumer base.
About Merman
Merman was founded in 2014 by award-winning duo Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford. Since then, Merman has gathered multiple accolades the world over, including BAFTA, Emmy and RTS nominations. Merman’s recent projects include Motherland for BBC2 starring Anna Maxwell Martin, Lucy Punch and Diane Morgan, Bliss for Sky 1 starring Heather Graham and Stephen Mangan, the third series of the award-winning Catastrophe for Channel 4/Amazon created by and starring Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, Divorce by Sharon Horgan for HBO starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Hayden Church, one off special The Circuit for Channel 4 reuniting award winning duo Sharon Horgan and Dennis Kelly, and Todd Margaret for IFC starring David Cross, Will Arnett, Sharon Horgan, Jack McBrayer and Blake Harrison, with many more in development and production. Merman have also produced multiple shorts for Sky Arts across its different strands, including the BAFTA TV nominated Morgana Robinson’s Summer: Dream Land, a season of Horror Comedy Shorts, Lolly Adefope’s Christmas, and Sky Arts Comedy Shorts in Ireland.
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