And two Flemish series for BBC Four
- Cordon, the prestigious TV series produced by Eyeworks and the VTM about an extremely deadly virus epidemic in Antwerp will be broadcast soon on the BBC
In order to prevent the spread of a killer virus, the origin of which is unknown, the Minister for Health decides to seal off an entire neighbourhood in the town of Antwerp. Cordon follows the fate of a dozen characters, inside and outside the security zone. A portrait of a tense group in which fear brings out the best and the worst in everyone, all in a very realistic atmosphere.
The main roles are played by Veerle Baetens (who received the European Film Award for best actress for The Broken Circle Breakdown [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Felix van Groeningen
interview: Felix Van Groeningen
interview: Felix Van Groeningen
film profile]), Wouter Hendrickx (Het Vonnis [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], The Misfortunates [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Felix van Groeningen
film profile]), singer Liesa Van der Aa, Koen De Bouw (Dossier K [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Loft [+see also:
trailer
film profile], De Zaak Alzheimer [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) and Johan Van Assche (De Behandeling [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Code 37 [+see also:
trailer
film profile], The Spiral). The series was created by Carl Joos, screenwriter of De Zaak Alzheimer and The Broken Circle Breakdown.
The series attracted an average of 880,000 weekly viewers (in its first run or as a replay) when it was broadcast last spring, namely a market share of 43.2% of 18-54 year olds. Cordon was also screened at Séries Mania in the Forum des Images festival in Paris.
Cordon will be presented for the first time for buyers and programmers worldwide during the Cannes Mipcom next October. The announcement by the BBC will dramatically increase its power to attract potential buyers in other territories.
BBC Four thus decided to show a second Belgian TV series, following Salamander (a Skyline production for Eén) broadcast last February. These series occupy the Saturday night slot which was previously reserved almost exclusively for Scandinavian series like The Killing and Borgen. Thanks to Cordon, British audiences will be able to rediscover Veerle Baetens, whom they had come to know last year in the Anglo-American min-series The White Queen.
(Translated from French)
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