EXCLUSIVE: Harry King TV is headed to MIP London with an antiques and collectibles-themed format after launching an unscripted division.
Harry King Unscripted will be the new wing of veteran scripted producer Nicholas Sercombe’s UK and U.S. production operation. It will focus on formats designed for digital and linear TV, using a “new talent- and format-first model” that seeks to combat the traditional commissioning slowdown.
Debuting through the unit later this month will be Curiosity, fronted by Antiques Roadshow expert Raj Bisram and comedian Henning Wehn. Set in an emporium that buys and sells outlandish collectibles and other items, Curiosity will see celebrity guests visiting to find trinkets, curios and gifts from owners Bisram and Wehn.
BAFTA- and Emmy-nominated David Meadows (The Sweeney, Robin and the Hoods) is attached as DOP, while Ian Bailey (Atonement, John Wick 3) is the Production Designer.
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Bisram is best known for TV credits on shows such as the BBCs’ Antiques Roadshow and Celebrity Antiques Roadshow, Flog It! and Bargain Hunt; and Four Rooms and Posh Pawn for Channel 4. Wehn bills himself as the “self-appointed German Comedy Ambassador to the UK” and regularly appears on show such as Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie To You, QI and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
Harry King TV optioned the rights to Curiosity from Bisram and Mark Turner, a BAFTA-nominated DP, director, producer and editor.
The company’s founder, Sercombe, has worked in both the UK and Hollywood. He is known for producing shows for British comedy royalty such as Mel Smith, Bob Monkhouse, Barry Cryer, Brian Conley and Russ Abbot, and creatd Top Tips for comic duo Reeves and Mortimer (Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer). In the U.S., he has worked with Naked Gun star Leslie Nielsen among others, also created BBC kids series Freefonix.
“The unscripted world needs more outlandish and curious shows,” said Sercombe. “Having worked with many of the funniest and creative talent out there we thought it was the right time to bring that attitude from the world of scripted to the land of formats and docs. All of the shows we develop have heart, humour, and a bit of cheekiness to them. After all, the world needs more laughter. And this format, along with our new division, exists to subvert the ‘traditional’ model and bring things to digital, streaming and linear with a raft of excellent talent attached right from the start.”
Bisram added: “The TV industry has been buying and selling the same formats for years, so we thought it was time to shake things up. Curiosity is all about finding hidden gems in unexpected places, and that’s exactly what we’re doing with this show. It’s a fresh take on unscripted TV, made for modern audiences who love great stories, real characters, and a bit of mischief. I can’t wait for people to step into our world and see what treasures we have in store.”
Harry King Unscripted will be at MIP London, the new TV market coming to the UK’s capital this month between 23-27 February at the Savoy Hotel and adjoining IET London conference center. Yesterday, organizer RX France reported registrations for the event had hit 2,000 from more than 75 countries, including 900 buyers.
Like the name of Harry King’s debut format, sources around London are full of curiosity over how MIP London will fit alongside the London TV Screenings, which have grown organically since its launch in 2021. The Screenings comprises showcases from the major Britain-based distributors, U.S. studios and other key European and Asian sales houses, and sits alongside the BBC Studios Showcase, the event that first began bringing international buyers to the UK during cold and frosty Februarys.
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