Esquire Network Announces Its First Original Scripted Series, SPOTLESS

Esquire Network today announced its first-ever original scripted series, SPOTLESS. The 10-episode dark and irreverent drama from TANDEM Productions (a STUDIOCANAL Company) is executive produced by Emmy^® and Golden Globe^®-nominated, Rola Bauer (THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH, CROSSING LINES) and is co-created by BAFTA Award-winner Ed McCardie (SHAMELESS) and Academy^® Award-winner Corinne Marrinan (CSI). The series stars Marc-André Grondin (C.R.A.Z.Y.), Denis Ménochet (INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS), Miranda Raison (24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY) and Brendan Coyle (DOWNTON ABBEY). SPOTLESS is slated to premiere this fall.

“Continuing our pursuit to offer the highest quality programming, Esquire Network is excited to embark on its first scripted series and to partner with the talented team at TANDEM Productions,” said Matt Hanna, Head of Original Programming, Esquire Network. “SPOTLESS is a genre bending drama offering a tonality that’s unique to the current television landscape. Perfectly on point for our discerning male audience, it promises to take them on a twisted dark ride.”

A sexy and bold one-hour drama laced with dark humor and set in London, SPOTLESS is the story of a troubled man, Jean Bastiere (Grondin) whose life is turned upside down when his outlaw brother, Martin (Ménochet), crash lands into his world. Played out against the backdrop of Jean’s Crime Scene Cleaning business, the brothers must confront dark sins of the past and very real dangers in the present. Ensnared by mob boss Nelson Clay (Coyle), corruption, drugs and death pose a constant hazard. With Jean’s wife Julie (Raison), the entire family struggles to gain control over their lives and future.

“Esquire Network is the perfect home for SPOTLESS, our daring, audacious and distinctive new series belongs with this network, which has been equally daring and audacious. The tremendous growth with their target audience is a testament to their strategic focus and strength in the U.S. market,” says TANDEM Productions CEO / Partner Rola Bauer.

In addition to Bauer, SPOTLESS executive producers include Jonas Bauer (IMPACT, THE COMPANY) and Suzanne Berger (HELL ON WHEELS, MAJORITY RULES). The Production designer is Emmy^® & Bafta^® Award-winning and three-time Oscar^® nominated, Eve Stewart (THE KING’S SPEECH, LES MISERABLES). SPOTLESS is a CANAL+ Création Originale with worldwide distribution handled via STUDIOCANAL. CANAL+ Création Originale is the prestigious production label of CANAL+, France’s major premium cable channel.

Since its September 2013 launch, Esquire Network remains on a growth trajectory. With 21 originals to date, the network’s growth has been accelerated with a marked spike in ratings making it the 2^nd fastest growing entertainment cable network and #2 cable network for affluent and educated Men 18-49. Esquire continues to experience remarkable development, achieving double-digit increases across all key demographics in 4Q14 vs. 4Q13. A key factor of Esquire Network’s success has been the steady increase amongst its target demographic (the upscale, affluent, educated man). The channel is up +71% Adults 18-49, +57% Men 18-49 and +63% in Total Viewers (1Q15TD vs. 1Q14TD).

About Esquire Network

Esquire Network champions the pursuit of a well-played life. The lifestyle and entertainment network, which debuted in September 2013, features programming that speaks to classic and contemporary passions and interests, from fashion and style to food and drink, travel, family and relationships. Building on Esquire magazine’s 80 years of insight into what makes men tick, Esquire Network is available wherever viewers are watching: in 75 million homes nationwide, online at http://esquiretv.com, On Demand, via mobile with the Esquire TV Now app and other platforms. Esquire Network is a unit of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal. To find Esquire Network, visit: http://esquiretv.com/channelfinder.

About Tandem Productions

Since opening its doors in 1999, TANDEM has established itself as a leading provider of quality drama television productions that have garnered nominations and awards such as Golden Globes^® and Emmys^®. The end of 2011 marked a new chapter in TANDEM’s history with STUDIOCANAL taking a majority stake in the company. This enabled TANDEM to strengthen its one-hour series strategy, leading to TANDEM’s production of the one-hour procedural crime series, Crossing Lines, currently in production on its third season with internationally acclaimed producer/writer, Frank Spotnitz (The Man in the High Castle, The X Files). Spotless, a CANAL+ Création Originale, produced by TANDEM, their latest new, one-hour drama series, completed production of its first season of 10 episodes shot on-location in London.

TANDEM develops, finances and produces primetime programs for the worldwide market, exclusively distributed by STUDIOCANAL. Emmy & Gemini Award-winning and Golden Globe- nominated, The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End are just two examples of TANDEM’s award-winning and critically acclaimed productions. TANDEM PRODUCTIONS based in Munich, Germany, was founded by CEO Rola Bauer and COO Tim Halkin, both company Partners. Jonas Bauer became a partner in the company in 2007.

To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150507006438/en/

Contact information

for Esquire Network
Nidia Caceros Kilde, (818) 777-1458
Nidia.Caceros@nbcuni.com
or
Nicole Bamber, (323) 692-5242
Nicole.Bamber@nbcuni.com
or
for TANDEM Productions
Mitch Zamarin, +49 (89) 96 22 83 14
mitch.zamarin@studiocanaltv.com
or
Isabelle Fedyk, +49 (89) 96 22 83-24
Isabelle.Fedyk@studiocanaltv.com