Syfy Acquires Rights to the Classic British Detective Series "Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)" from ITV Studios

via release:

SYFY ACQUIRES RIGHTS TO THE CLASSIC BRITISH DETECTIVE SERIES RANDALL AND HOPKIRK (DECEASED) FROM ITV STUDIOS

Josh Bycel (Scrubs) and Jonathan Fener (American Dad)

Named Writers and Executive Producers

Howard Braunstein also to Executive Produce

Los Angeles, California – May 10, 2010 – Syfy has acquired the rights to the classic British detective series Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) from ITV Studios, Inc. for development as a pilot for a one-hour scripted series to be produced by ITV Studios. Josh Bycel (Scrubs) and Jonathan Fener (American Dad) will write and executive produce. Howard Braunstein of Jaffe/Braunstein Entertainment (The Memory Keepers Daughter/Christmas in Canaan) will also executive produce.

Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) is based on the popular British detective series from the late 1960s in which Hopkirk (Kenneth Cope) was murdered in the line of duty. He returned as a ghost, visible only to his former partner, Randall (Mike Pratt), and assisted him in crime fighting from beyond the grave.

“Josh and Jonathan have found a great way to update the buddy-cop formula with a supernatural twist. We look forward to working with them, Howard, and ITV to bring new life to this British classic,” said Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming for Syfy.

Julie Meldal-Johnsen, Senior Vice President, Business Development and Business Affairs, Scripted/Digital, ITV Studios, commented, “We’re delighted at the opportunity to develop this proven property for Syfy and are fortunate to have partnered with writers of the caliber of Josh and Jonathan.”

International Creative Management, which packaged the project, represents ITV, Josh Bycel and Jonathan Fener.

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com) and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 96 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

About ITV Studios, Inc.
ITV Studios, Inc., the U.S. based production entity of ITV plc in the U.K. is one of the largest international producers for the U.S. market and a major force in acquiring, developing and producing reality and scripted programming for US networks.

ITV Studios is a world leader in television production and distribution, with international production centers in the UK, Germany, Australia, France, Spain, and Scandinavia as well as America and programs distributed to over 155 territories worldwide.