Spirited sells rights to US

Axed Foxtel drama Spirited is on the long path to a US adaptation, with the Southern Star series to be developed by ABC Studios.

The ghostly drama, created by Claudia Karvan and Jacquelin Perske, will be executive produced by Chris Black (Desperate Housewives, Lone Star, Ugly Betty, K-Ville, Reaper) and Henry Alonso Myers (Chuck, Ugly Betty, CSI, Charmed) who will also serve as writers.

Philippe Maigret, CEO of Endemol Studios, said, “We are thrilled to partner with ABC Studios and ABC to develop and produce some of Endemol Studios’ first scripted projects.

“It is enormously exciting that we have such rich material to bring the network from the Endemol teams in Australia and the Netherlands and we look forward to working with Melissa on Penoza, Chris and Henry on Spirited.”

Co-Executive Producer John Edwards told TV Tonight it was still very early days.

“It’s obviously very exciting and flattering when people take up your work and want to do something with it there, but it’s a long, long way from being a show in production,” he said.

The drama had two seasons on Foxtel but has not been renewed for a third, triggering a fervent fan campaign being staged online at Spirited-tv.net

Recent Aussie productions that have landed US adaptations include Wilfred, Kath and Kim, and Sit Down Shut Up with the format rights to Laid also being sold.

Source: World Screen