Viasat World announces it has signed deals with six major content producers and distributors, securing a raft of programming for its high-quality series channel Epic Drama, broadcasting across Central and Eastern Europe and Baltics.

First to bolster the Epic Drama content slate is searing period drama, The Doll Factory from Cineflix Rights, and produced by Buccaneer. Set in the 1850s, the series is based on the best-selling novel by Elizabeth Macneal, and stars Esmé Creed-Miles, Éanna Hardwicke, Mirren Mack, and George Webster. Viasat World has secured the premium first-run series and will air it on Epic Drama in January 2024.

Working with Banijay Rights, Viasat World has secured two seasons of ambitious Roman epic, Domina, with the first series also premiering on Epic Drama in early 2024. Starring Kasia Smutniak, Alex Lanipekun, Matthew McNulty and Ewan Horrocks, this historical drama follows the extraordinary rise of Gaius, Emperor Augustus Caesar’s third wife, Livia Drusilla. A Sky Original series, Domina is created by Simon Burke (Fortitude, Strike Back), and produced by Tiger Aspect - part of Banijay UK - in association with MGM+ Studios.

From ITV Studios, Viasat World has secured the four-part adaptation of Henry Fielding’s classic 1749 novel, Tom Jones - a Mammoth Screen and MASTERPIECE co-production. Starring Hannah Waddingham, Solly McLeod and Sophie Wilde, the series, which recently aired on Epic Drama, follows the rollercoaster story of Tom’s complicated escapades to find love. Also from ITV Studios, is eight-part crime thriller The Serpent - a Mammoth Screen production in association with the BBC and Netflix. Staring Tahar Rahim and Jenna Coleman and inspired by real events, the series tells the story of how conman and murderer Charles Sobhraj was brought to justice.

Viasat World has secured from Beta Film, the third season of premium German period drama series, SISI - produced by Storyhouse Pictures. This marquee title broadcasting on Epic Drama this Christmas, is the reimagining of the historic love story between 19th century Austrian Empress Elisabeth - nicknamed “Sisi” - played by Dominique Devenport, and her husband Emperor Franz, played by Jannik Schümann. Also, from Beta Film is high-quality 1920’s German drama, The House of Promises starring Naemi Florez, Ludwig Simon, Alexander Scheer, Nina Kunzendorf and Amy Benkenstein. Produced by the makers of Baylon Berlin, X Filme Creative Pool, the series, which aired recently on Epic Drama, traces the lives of a Jewish mercantile family opening a state-of-the-art department story at Berlin’s Torstrasse 1.

Viasat World has also acquired for Epic Drama, a trio of top-quality dramas from the BBC Studios library which includes, The Canterville Ghost - a BBC Studios production. The four-part modern adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic tale stars Caroline Catz, Anthony Head and James Lance. Les Misérables - produced by Lookout Point and BBC Studios - the landmark six-part drama adapted from the classic 19th-century book by Victor Hugo, and starring Dominic West, David Oyelowo, Lily Collins and Olivia Colman. And completing the trio is Maigret, the classic 1950’s whodunnit produced by Maigret Productions/Ealing Studios, starring Rowan Atkinson.

From All3Media International is returning global hit, All Creatures Great And Small, with season 4 airing on Epic Drama in December. Produced by Playground Entertainment, the cast includes Nicholas Ralph, Rachel Shenton, Anna Madeley and Samuel West. Also, from All3Media International, Des, the three-part true crime drama starring David Tennant as notorious serial killer, Dennis Nilsen.

Stephen Roberts, VP of Content Strategy & Planning for Viasat World, said: “As one of Europe’s biggest content aggregators we are continually in the market for high quality and award-winning international programming, and we will continue to bolster the Epic Drama content slate in 2024. We look forward to strengthening our partnerships with some of the industry’s best international distributors and content suppliers as we work to secure programming that truly resonates with our audiences across a breadth of genres including gripping crime & mystery, lavish period pieces and warm-hearted nostalgia.”