LICENSING NEWS

ITVS GE announces roster of Watership Down deals

Published on: 5th December 2018

ITV Studios Global Entertainment licensees are gearing up for the launch of the mini-series on BBC1 over the Christmas period.

Inspired by the classic novel that has sold more than 50m copies worldwide, BAFTA nominated scriptwriter Tom Bidwell has beautifully reimagined Watership Down, drawing on the talents of an all-star cast including James McAvoy as Hazel, John Boyega as Bigwig, Sir Ben Kingsley as General Woundwort and Nicholas Hoult as Fiver, as well as Olivia Colman, Miles Jupp, Freddie Fox, Anne-Marie Duff and Gemma Arterton. The four-part mini-series is set to air on the BBC (UK) and Netflix (Global excluding UK) over Christmas this year.

Licensees previously signed include Studio By Gemma for greetings cards, Pan Macmillan for a gift story book (re-told by Frank Cottrell-Boyce) and colouring book, Moorcroft for bespoke china pottery, Nemesis Now for cast iron and bronze figures, Robert James for bronze sculptures, and Signature Gifts for personalised gifts.

Three new licensees now join this exciting roster: Smith & Brooks for babywear, Carousel Calendars for calendars, and License To Charm for jewellery charms. Licensees are using a mix of the exquisite pencil sketch style guide and animation stills for their creative interpretations. Moorcroft, Nemesis Now and Robert James are also using the CG models to give products authenticity in 3D.

The Pan Macmillan publishing products launched 29th November in advance of the series air date, and other product will follow in spring 2019, with Easter being a key retail window, supported by the Netflix UK launch, also in spring 2019.

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