Sky is to launch its original drama Fortitude simultaneously across Europe on January 29. It’s the first original drama to make its debut across the continent since Sky created its new European operations late last year.
Fortitude will be available to 20 million customers in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy. On the same day 47 million US households will be able to watch the first episode through co-producer Pivot TV. It has also been sold to a number of international broadcasters including Superchannel Canada, ABC Australia, Canal+ France, SVT Sweden, TV2 Denmark, NRK Norway, YLE Finland, RUV Iceland, VRT Belgium, Ale Kino+ Poland, Sky New Zealand, YES Israel and OTE Greece.
In the UK Fortitude will be screened on Sky Atlantic.
Advance sales to 13 international broadcasters has made Fortitude the most successful show to date for Sky’s international distribution arm, Sky Vision.
Stuart Murphy, Director of Entertainment, Sky commented: “Fortitude is truly cinematic drama with a scale that sets it apart. The cast and editorial ambition show what we can do when we give world-class talent the space to create game changing drama. Launching simultaneously to 20 million customers demonstrates Sky’s increased reach across Europe, while record sales around the world mean an even bigger impact and greater returns. The fantastic reaction to Fortitude highlights the growing opportunity for us to create even more high-quality drama for international audiences in the future.”
The show follows a close-knit arctic community that faces a mysterious death. Created and written by Simon Donald (Low Winter Sun), it stars Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci, Michael Gambon, Christopher Eccleston and Sofie Gråbøl.
