7^th June 2022

STV Studios wins commission for second series of prison drama, Screw, from Channel 4

Channel 4 has today announced the recommission of its hit prison drama, Screw, produced by STV Studios. Series two promises to be bigger, bolder, and more dangerous than ever.

After the tragic events of the series one finale, our team of embattled prison officers, led by Leigh Henry (Nina Sosanya - His Dark Materials, Little Birds), are determined to make a fresh start.  But as those behind the cell doors of C Wing know only too well, moving on isn't always simple.  With changes at the very top and fresh faces both on the wing and in the staff room, Leigh's new bond with Rose (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell - Derry Girls) - and the secrets they share - will be tested to the limit.  

As the whole team struggles to make a difference to the complicated lives in their care, rumours of an undercover policeman on the wing not only threatens order at Long Marsh, but could blow open a criminal plot involving at least one of our officers. And one way or another, the truth will come out… 

Faraz Ayub (Line of Duty, Suspicion), Stephen Wight (I May Destroy You, Manhunt), Ron Donachie (Titanic, Game of Thrones), and Laura Checkley (King Gary, Detectorists) will also be returning.

Caroline Hollick, Head of Channel 4 Drama says: "We're thrilled to welcome back the staff and prisoners of C Wing. Rob has created an iconic Channel 4 prison series with a fantastic cast and we can't wait to jump back into the drama, humanity and humour of life behind bars in series two."

Sarah Brown, Creative Director of Drama at STV Studios, added: "It's been thrilling to see audiences take Rob's fantastic characters to their hearts so readily and in such big numbers. We couldn't be happier to be partnering once again with the brilliant team at Channel 4, to welcome viewers back to the mad world that is C Wing, and delivering even more gripping and thought-provoking stories for officers and prisoners alike. "

Rob Williams, Writer, Creator and Executive Producer continues: "I'm absolutely delighted to get the opportunity to dig deeper into the complicated characters on C Wing - we have a lot more stories to tell - and to continue working with the incredible team at Channel 4."

Banijay Rights handles global distribution for Screw, which has already proven popular with buyers overseas. Deals for the first series have so far been secured with BritBox in Australia, TVNZ in New Zealand and Spanish SVOD service, Filmin, while Telus in Canada has recently acquired both series one and two.

Simon Cox, EVP Content & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, said: "Combining an exceptional storyline about prison life, dark humour and a superb cast, Screw has been well received by audiences worldwide and we are excited to be working with our partners at Channel 4 and STV Studios for a second series."

Screw is an STV Studios production for Channel 4, commissioned by Caroline Hollick, Channel 4 Head of Drama and Gemma Boswell, Channel 4 Commissioning Editor.  Rob Williams is Creator, Lead Writer and Executive Producer, with Roanne Bardsley and Ciara Conway completing the writing team. Sarah Brown is Executive Producer for STV Studios (The Victim, Elizabeth is Missing) and Nick Lambon, Producer (Silent Witness).

Screw series two will be filmed in the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow.

Praise for series one

Guardian ★★★★ "Dryly comic prison drama worth doing time for"

Times ★★★★ "Balances horror and humour without diluting either of them"

Telegraph ★★★★ "a mix of the mundane and the blackly comic, where blow-ups occur over the smallest of things"

Daily Mail ★★★★ - "Fast moving and deftly drawn"

Mirror ★★★★

***ENDS***

Notes to editors

About STV Studios

STV Studios is one of the UK's leading content businesses and is Scotland's biggest production company. Led by award-winning executive David Mortimer, the company has an impressive track-record of success across drama, entertainment and factual, with commissions spanning BBC One and Two, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, BBC Scotland, Discovery, VH1/MTV and Sky One.

In Scripted, STV Studios' 2019 drama The Victim was a critical and ratings success for BBC One. The four-part thriller was nominated for a BAFTA in the Best Mini-Series category and saw leading actress, Kelly Macdonald, receive a BAFTA Scotland Award for her role.  TV film Elizabeth is Missing, featuring two time Academy Award winner Glenda Jackson, was broadcast on BBC One in 2019. The drama was met with universal acclaim and has garnered numerous awards and nominations. It was shortlisted for a BAFTA TV Award in the Single Drama category in 2020, and Glenda Jackson won the prestigious leading actress BAFTA for her exceptional performance.  Unscripted formats include 20 series of Antiques Road Trip and nine series of sister programme, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip for BBC, with a further 140 episodes in production; six series of Catchphrase and five of Celebrity Catchphrase for ITV; The Yorkshire Auctioneer, a ten-part factual series for Discovery and The Palace and the Press for Channel 5.

In 2019, STV Studios acquired a majority stake in award-winning unscripted producer Primal Media; holds a minority stake in high-end drama producer, Two Cities; and is exclusive production partner to drama company, Tod Productions.

www.stvstudios.com

About Banijay Rights

Leading independent global distributor, Banijay Rights, represents a world-class, multi-genre portfolio of over 130,000 hours of standout programming. Leading distribution for the largest international creator and producer, Banijay, the division handles the exploitation of some of the planet's best scripted and non-scripted brands.

Representing quality, excellence and experience in the business of linear and non-linear television and ancillary activity across all platforms, Banijay Rights' catalogue encompasses a host of top titles from Banijay's 120+ in-house labels, and a number of third-party producers, spanning drama, comedy, entertainment, factual, reality, family, formats and theatrical.

Delivering high-quality IP, which was born locally and travels globally, the distributor offers the best stories told the best way. Its landmark brands include Survivor, Big Brother, MasterChef, Temptation Island, Grantchester, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Deal or No Deal, Versailles, Biggest Loser, Home and Away, Money Drop, Mr Bean and Black Mirror.

Built on independence, creative freedom, entrepreneurialism and commercial acumen, Banijay Rights operates under the direction of Chief Executive Officer, Cathy Payne.

For more information:

Kirstin Stevenson

Head of Communications, STV Group plc

07803970106