DRG wins the battle for My Grandparents’ War
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Editor
| 05 July 2019

Further to Channel 4’s recent announcement that it has commissioned My Grandparents’ War from Wild Pictures, Nordic Entertainment Group-owned DRG has picked up international rights for the upcoming four-part series.

In each episode of My Grandparents’ War, a leading Hollywood actor re-traces the footsteps of their grandparents in World War Two. All the actors have unanswered questions about the scars war left on their grandparents and will explore how six years changed the lives of their family and the world forever. In each authored episode, the actors will learn about the life and death decisions their grandparents faced. At the heart of the series are what are said to be ‘extraordinary’ human stories of ordinary people caught up in one of the greatest man-made catastrophes of all time.

Commissioned to mark the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of war, two of the actors, Kristin Scott Thomas (The Darkest Hour, The English Patient, Gosford Park) and Mark Rylance (BFG, Dunkirk, The Bridge of Spies), have already filmed their stories, which took them to historic locations from the beaches of Dunkirk to prisoner of war camps in Asia. Filming with two other award-winning actors is now underway.

“With My Grandparent’s War, Wild Pictures has brilliantly combined key moments in history with a fresh and compelling biographical insight into some of the world’s leading actors,” commented Mette Kanne-Behrendsen, DRG’s SVP of acquisitions who acquired the series.

“Such a unique and considered approach to this global event, coupled with the 80th anniversary in September, is sure to make this extraordinary series a ‘must have’ title for any broadcaster or platform looking to commemorate the start of World War Two.”

Wild Pictures executive producer Tom Anstiss added: “We are delighted to be working alongside DRG and look forward to the reception our series receives on the international market. It’s a privilege to work with such talented people as Kristin Scott Thomas (pictured), Mark Rylance and the two other award-winning actors we are currently filming with. They each bring real intellectual curiosity, emotional depth and compassion, and deliver a compelling and revelatory new understanding of World War Two. Their films explore universal themes and are a moving reminder of how bravery, comradeship, love and self-sacrifice prevailed in the face of tragedy.”