ZDF Studios, Boogie Entertainment and France tv distribution announce new crime drama Blood Red Thread
Mainz, December 19th, 2023
ZDF Studios, Boogie Entertainment and France tv distribution are partnering as producers for a thrilling new crime drama Blood Red Thread (6 x 45’), set in the glamorous, cutthroat world of fashion.
The fashion industry, worth over a trillion dollars, exudes glamour on the surface but underneath lies a very different story. Stylish, witty and outrageous, Blood Red Thread combines the grit of a crime thriller with the aesthetic fakery of fashion. Businessmen who rule the boardroom clash with the divas of design, both battling for power. Twists, turns and shocks ensue as the series exposes the challenges confronting the industry today; diversity, sustainability and the darker facets of counterfeiting and exploitation. More than just a crime drama, Blood Red Thread is a mirror reflecting the rapidly evolving, and often ruthless, world of fashion.
Filming will take place in the UK, France and Germany with delivery scheduled for August 2025. Blood Red Thread is the 2nd new project from ZDF Studios and Boogie Entertainment who recently announced The Kim Dotcom Story, a six-part drama based on the best-seller The Secret Life of Kim Dotcom: Spies, Lies and the War for the Internet by David Fisher.
Robert Franke, VP Drama ZDF Studios, said: “Blood Red Thread is not your average six-part crime series, it’s a vivid portrayal of a world where beauty is fleeting, and creativity faces the constant threat of extinction. In an industry dominated by brand supremacy, the timeless art of couture is overshadowed by the relentless pace of fast fashion and the looming presence of artificial intelligence.“
Julia Schulte, SVP International Sales at France tv distribution: “We are excited to collaborate on this international co-production with our partners Boogie and ZDF Studios. Set in the turbulent and eccentric world of fashion, it is a twisty, contemporary tale that promises to entertain.”
Rolant Hergert, Producer and Founder of Boogie Entertainment, added: “We are thrilled to team up once again with ZDF Studios and join forces with France tv distribution for our latest crime sensation, Blood Red Thread. Unraveling mysteries in the glamorous world of fashion, our series uncovers that behind every stitch lies an unexpected revelation. Embark on a gripping journey into style and suspense!”
Award winning writer, Timothy Prager is the showrunner and lead writer for the series. Prager’s career spans both television (Two Thousand Acres of Sky, Silent Witness, 55 Degrees North, George Gently, Dalziel and Pascoe,) and film (The Miracle Club, The Maid, Vendetta, If the Shoe Fits; Haunted). He is joined on the writing team by Valery Ryan and Cleo Watson. Valery Ryan is a writer and producer whose credits include Treason, Black Work and Cracker. Former Deputy Chief of Staff to Boris Johnson, Cleo Watson is the author of Whips, a steamy novel that is being adapted for TV by Andy Serkis’ Imaginarium.
---
About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a commercial subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, the ZDF Studios Group operates more than 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom spanning TV production, distribution and services. The parent company, ZDF Studios, is responsible for global programme distribution, realisation of international co-productions, acquisition of licences and merchandising of successful programme brands under its own name, for ZDF and third parties. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language programme inventory in the world and a constantly growing range of international productions, consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children's programmes.
The companies of the ZDF Studios Group cover the entire value chain from the development of scripted and unscripted TV content to production, marketing and monetizing, including TV and streaming licences as well as merchandising and online rights. The positioning of ZDF Studios as an integrated media company enables the development of innovative, outstanding and high-quality programmes and makes the Group an attractive workplace for German and international talent to flourish in a very inspiring and creative environment.
Contact ZDF Studios
Christine Denilauler (VP Marketing and Corporate Communications), ZDF Studios GmbH, Erich-Dombrowski-Str. 1, D-55127 Mainz/Germany, Tel.: +49 6131-9911130, E-mail: christine.denilauler@zdf-studios.com, www.zdf-studios.com