‘Call The Midwife’ renewed for seasons 14 and 15 by BBC; Launch LaLiga Studios; EOne ‘Paper Dolls’

Call The Midwife has been renewed by the BBC for seasons 14 and 15

hit drama Call the midwife will remain with the BBC for at least three more years after the last double series order. Ratings for the Sunday night hit have remained strong throughout its long run and an eight-part 14th and 15th has now been commissioned alongside Christmas specials. According to a group of midwives in mid-20th century London Call the midwife by Heidi Thomas and Neal Street has consistently been one of the BBC’s highest rated dramas for a decade. It airs on PBS in the US. BBC drama director Lindsay Salt praised the returnee’s “enduring popularity thanks to exceptional creative talent and hard work”. Series 12 ends on two Sundays and Series 13 production begins in the spring.

Banijay and LaLiga form LaLiga Studios

LaLiga Studios was founded in Spain – a sports content company founded by Banijay Iberia and the national soccer league. LaLiga Studios will produce audiovisual content for LaLiga, clubs, sponsors and broadcasters. It will also work with international platforms and brands in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, documentary, fiction and animated content. The new outfit will be led by General Manager and Executive Producer Chalo Bonifacino Cooke, who will also be responsible for international growth. LaLiga executive director Óscar Mayo said the league had “ambitious plans” for the new scoreboard. The agreement is expected to take effect in the coming weeks.

eOne takes over “paper dolls”.

eOne took over the international sales for paper dolls, the Australian drama series about the rise and fall of a fictional pop girl group. eOne will shop the eight-part series internationally once the show is ready to launch on Network 10 Australia. Beginning at the dawn of the new millennium, the Helium Pictures series follows the meteoric rise and fall of fictional make-up girl group Harlow. The cast includes Emmalia (Australian gangsters), Naomi Sequeira (Chronicles of Evermoor), Mia Madden (now red fern)Courtney Clarke (last king of the cross) and Courtney Monsma (The musical Frozen). The deal was brokered by eOne’s Noel Hedges, EVP, Acquisitions, International Distribution. “paper dolls delves into the drama inherent in this part of the music business: immense heights, hopes and dreams, but also manipulation and considerable psychological and physical pressure,” said Hodges.