Sony Pictures Television is to co-produce a Mandarin-language version of U.S. TV series “Chosen” in partnership with Chinese video platform iQIYI.
The action thriller will be produced by SPT’s Playmaker Media with support from Australian regional fund Screen NSW. The story follows a family which becomes drawn into a deadly game, but ultimately binds together to save each other.
Production is expected to begin in Spring 2017 with an anticipated launch in the fall. The Chinese series is expected to feature China’s top stars, as well as international actors and production crew.
The deal is a rare example of co-operation between a Chinese video group and a Hollywood studio’s TV offshoot in order to make a Chinese series.
iQIYI, a subsidiary of Chinese search engine giant Baidu, has been among the leading firms developing original content for Chinese video services. It says that its exclusive programming has attracted high levels of paying subscribers.
"We look forward to bringing culturally relevant, premium content to iQIYI’s important and growing audience,” said Dai Huang, VP of sales, international distribution and production at Sony Pictures Television, Asia Pacific.
"Quality control is key to the development of any industry and iQIYI strives to make the best possible resources available to raise the level of crafting in net film production,” said Yang Xianghua, iQIYI’s senior vice president.