Boosting a key genre, leading producer Keshet International (KI) has formally launched a new commissioning initiative - KI’s Greenlight: Factual & Formats - while also announcing its first straight-to-series order for international distribution.
In the first step, KI has commissioned Woodcut Media to produce a 10x60’ true crime docuseries entitled Catch Me If You Can, the first factual series the global producer and distributor has greenlit to date, with KI choosing to fully-fund this specific title.
The documentary series delves into the world of murderers who eluded capture, meticulously planning their crimes, and engaging in psychological warfare with investigators. Each episode takes viewers on a pursuit of a different elusive killer, exploring the intricate mind games they play to outsmart those tasked with bringing them to justice. In this true crime docuseries, the focus is very much on the chase.
With a blend of first-hand accounts, expert analysis, and stylised recreation, this series offers an unprecedented look into the methods and systems used by the police to finally capture these murderers. Killers profiled in this first series include James Watson, who was finally convicted in June 2022 of killing Ricki Neve in 1994; the Amazon Review Killer, Todd Kohlhepp, who murdered seven people over a decade; cop killer Eric Frein, who disappeared into the Pocono Mountains, initiating Pennsylvania’s longest manhunt in history that lasted 48 days and cost $12 million; and 24-year-old Amanda Taylor, who went on the run with a friend, having stabbed her husband’s father-in-law to death.
Commenting on the commission, Kelly Wright, KI’s MD of Distribution says, “Premium factual content and formats continue to be in high demand from buyers, while many producers are struggling to get series commissioned. So, we are thrilled to be launching KI’s Greenlight: Factual & Formats initiative while announcing our first series order for Catch Me If You Can, following our first true crime producer pitch. By responding collaboratively to market needs in this way, we’re finding a different way of getting fresh, new content on to TV screens around the world."
Kate Beal added: “We first partnered with Keshet International on World’s Most Evil Killers back in 2016, with the first episodes premiering on Sky the following year. Telling these stories with sensitivity towards the victims, and those close to them was paramount…With Catch Me If You Can we take the same approach, thoroughly researching each case and providing expert analysis and stylised re-enactments. However, with this new series, the focus is on the actual chase and final capture of the elusive killer, with each episode taking viewers on a kind of roller coaster ride of ‘will they or won’t they catch them’ at every turn.”
Catch Me if You Can will be executive produced by Woodcut Media CEO Kate Beal and Nick Mavroidakis at Woodcut Media alongside KI’s Kelly Wright, with Angie Cox as Series Producer. Pre-production begins shortly, with filming slated for October. Keshet International will launch Catch Me If You Can to market at MIPCOM 2024.
KI plans to host its second annual producer pitch – this time broadened out to include premium factual content and formats, as well as true crime - on 27 November 2023. With the objective of greenlighting up to three English-language projects a year - either fully funded by KI or co-funded in partnership with at least one broadcast or streaming partner - KI’s Greenlight: Factual & Formats initiative will be focussed on commissioning original premium factual content and formats with international appeal for distribution.
The documentary series delves into the world of murderers who eluded capture, meticulously planning their crimes, and engaging in psychological warfare with investigators. Each episode takes viewers on a pursuit of a different elusive killer, exploring the intricate mind games they play to outsmart those tasked with bringing them to justice. In this true crime docuseries, the focus is very much on the chase.
With a blend of first-hand accounts, expert analysis, and stylised recreation, this series offers an unprecedented look into the methods and systems used by the police to finally capture these murderers. Killers profiled in this first series include James Watson, who was finally convicted in June 2022 of killing Ricki Neve in 1994; the Amazon Review Killer, Todd Kohlhepp, who murdered seven people over a decade; cop killer Eric Frein, who disappeared into the Pocono Mountains, initiating Pennsylvania’s longest manhunt in history that lasted 48 days and cost $12 million; and 24-year-old Amanda Taylor, who went on the run with a friend, having stabbed her husband’s father-in-law to death.
Commenting on the commission, Kelly Wright, KI’s MD of Distribution says, “Premium factual content and formats continue to be in high demand from buyers, while many producers are struggling to get series commissioned. So, we are thrilled to be launching KI’s Greenlight: Factual & Formats initiative while announcing our first series order for Catch Me If You Can, following our first true crime producer pitch. By responding collaboratively to market needs in this way, we’re finding a different way of getting fresh, new content on to TV screens around the world."
Kate Beal added: “We first partnered with Keshet International on World’s Most Evil Killers back in 2016, with the first episodes premiering on Sky the following year. Telling these stories with sensitivity towards the victims, and those close to them was paramount…With Catch Me If You Can we take the same approach, thoroughly researching each case and providing expert analysis and stylised re-enactments. However, with this new series, the focus is on the actual chase and final capture of the elusive killer, with each episode taking viewers on a kind of roller coaster ride of ‘will they or won’t they catch them’ at every turn.”
Catch Me if You Can will be executive produced by Woodcut Media CEO Kate Beal and Nick Mavroidakis at Woodcut Media alongside KI’s Kelly Wright, with Angie Cox as Series Producer. Pre-production begins shortly, with filming slated for October. Keshet International will launch Catch Me If You Can to market at MIPCOM 2024.
KI plans to host its second annual producer pitch – this time broadened out to include premium factual content and formats, as well as true crime - on 27 November 2023. With the objective of greenlighting up to three English-language projects a year - either fully funded by KI or co-funded in partnership with at least one broadcast or streaming partner - KI’s Greenlight: Factual & Formats initiative will be focussed on commissioning original premium factual content and formats with international appeal for distribution.
