The deal with Hulu also sees Stan Original drama Invisible Boys head to the streamer in the US.
Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of media and entertainment group Banijay Entertainment, announces Workerbee’s true-crime documentary series The Promise: Finding My Mother’s Killer will stream on Hulu in the U.S.
It marks the first deal for the Banijay UK label Workerbee series, a gripping 3 x 60’ true-crime documentary centred around the decades-long quest of Iranian-American Pooneh Entezari. A rags-to-riches story of a daughter who has spent over 30 years working to pursue her mother’s case. Ultimately, she spent millions of her hard-earned fortune to fund an investigation into the person who killed her mother and to clear her father’s name in the process. Her story was first told by Douglas Perry at The Oregonian/OregonLive. The series is produced in association with Advance Originals & Circle M+P.
Michelle Chappell, MD for Workerbee Group, said: “This is an extraordinary and deeply moving story of one woman’s unwavering determination to bring her mother’s killer to justice. We had the privilege of following Pooneh’s journey over many years, never knowing where her search for the truth would lead. Her courage and persistence uncovered compelling evidence, revealing a story that is both a gripping investigation and a haunting portrait of an American dream that descended into tragedy.”
The deal with Hulu also sees Stan Original drama Invisible Boys head to the streamer. Invisible Boys is a powerful coming of age drama that explores the challenges faced by a group of gay teens in the remote coastal town of Geraldton, Western Australia, after one of them is outed on social media following an encounter with a married man. As they form a tight-knit friendship, the boys find solace and support in one another, exploring their desires and identities in a world that often renders them invisible. Launching to critical acclaim in Australia, it won Best Original Web Series at the IFFA Awards as well as being nominated for a Peabody and AACTA Award for Best Mini-Series. The series stars Joseph Zada (Sunrise on The Reaping, We Were Liars) and was adapted for the screen by creator/director Nicholas Verso (Boys In The Trees, Crazy Fun Park) and produced by Tania Chambers (God Bless you, Mr Kopu, How To Please A Woman) and Verso.
Invisible Boys is a Feisty Dame Production and Asphodel Films production for Stan. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Stan. Financed with support from Screenwest, Lotterywest, and the WA Regional Screen Fund. Developed with the assistance of Screen Australia, Screenwest and Lotterywest.
Nicholas Verso, Invisible Boys Series Creator and Director, said: “Queer storytelling is having a moment, and it has never felt more important. I’m thrilled that our horny, sweaty Australian contribution is coming to U.S. audiences. I can’t wait for viewers to fall in love with these messy boys and their journey towards strength, pride and compassion.”
Lauren Farrar, SVP U.S. Sales, Banijay Rights, said: “Invisible Boys and The Promise: Finding My Mother’s Killer are two very different stories, but are both built around the same thing we look for in every title we take to market: bold storytelling that makes a lasting and powerful impression on audiences. We’re delighted to be bringing both to Hulu and to U.S. viewers.”
Both titles are set to have their U.S. premiere on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers, with launch dates to be announced.
