ZDF Studios and BlackBox Multimedia partner to produce the romantic comedy drama 'The Little Italian Hotel' based on the book by best-selling author Phaedra Patrick
Rome and Mainz, October 16th, 2024
ZDF Studios and BlackBox Multimedia have announced the development of a light romantic drama, The Little Italian Hotel (6 x 60’), based on the book by best-selling author Phaedra Patrick and adapted for TV by writer Kay Stonham (Millie Inbetween, Life of Riley, My Family).The development deal was brokered by ZDF Studios’ Director Drama Yi Qiao and Blackbox Multimedia’s Managing Director Chiara Cardoso. The filming rights were negotiated by Sheila David at Catapult Rights Limited acting in conjunction with Phaedra Patrick’s literary agent Clare Wallace at Darley Anderson & Associates Limited.
BlackBox Multimedia is an international, award-winning production company focusing on the development of high end scripted drama series and films.
A feel-good romantic comedy, The Little Italian Hotel is set in the idyllic Italian region of Umbria. Ginny Splinters is 50 and at the top of her game. Her advice show Ginny Listens is vying for the No.1 slot on the UK’s premier radio station and she has a self-help book about to be published. Her private life is equally glittering and to prove it, she’s booked a luxurious anniversary celebration in Italy with her husband, Adrian. But, during a live phone-in, a caller throws doubt on Adrian’s faithfulness and her perfect life comes crashing down. Accompanied not by her husband but by five equally heart-broken listeners, whose problems she has rashly vowed to solve, Ginny goes on a journey of self-discovery and learns that not all heartaches can be easily healed.
The Little Italian Hotel was published in the UK and US last year to rave reviews and has since sold in Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Lithuania. Phaedra Patrick’s books have been translated into 25 languages worldwide with four of her titles becoming USA TODAY’s bestsellers. Her second novel, Rise and Shine Benedict Stone, was made into a movie in 2021.
Yi Qiao, Director Drama, ZDF Studios said: “We are delighted to partner with BlackBox Multimedia to bring this story to life for the small screen. Romance, comedy, endearing characters and a beautiful setting, interspersed with insightful life lessons, combine to make this an ideal primetime series for family audiences.”
Chiara Cardoso, Managing Director, BlackBox Multimedia said: “When we came across The Little Italian Hotel, we knew instantly that this would make a great TV series. There are so many layers to this uplifting, warm-hearted romantic comedy with its realistic undertone and satirical twist. It brings a refreshing comic framing to the personal growth/holiday-romance drama by challenging the notion that maintaining a high flying career and a glossy image are the keys to happiness. Add to that, its travel brochure nostalgic appeal and you have a captivating story that transports you to a sunnier world.”
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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
About BlackBox Multimedia
BlackBox Multimedia is a film and TV production company, founded by industry veteran Guy Avshalom (Lionsgate UK) and led by MD Chiara Cardoso. With operations in London, Italy and Spain, BlackBox specializes in the development and production of TV series and films for the global market. The company's first TV series “The Ex-Wife”, co-produced with Clapperboard Studios, was Paramount+'s first original in the UK. In 2023, BlackBox coproduced, also for Paramount with Clapperboard, “The Castaways” and “The Serial Killer's Wife”. The last year has also seen BlackBox produce two films, a rom-com based on a best-selling novel “This Time Next Year”, which became the number one watched film on Netflix in its opening week of release, and “Home Education”, which became the highest grossing horror from a debut director in Italian history, and enters the top 10 highest grossing Italian-produced horror films over the last 30 years, after its Italian cinema release (distributed by Warner Brothers) at the end of last year. The company also has a curated development slate for Spain and Latin America, including a number of shows and films in active development with different streamers.
Contact BlackBox Multimedia
Chiara Cardoso (Managing Director), 32 Galena Road, London, W6 0LT
chiara@blackboxmm.com