New Deal Delivers Spooky SoHo Trio

Sky has picked up American Gods, an apocalyptic new thriller from Luther’s Neil Cross and a re-make of Picnic at Hanging Rock for its premium drama channel SoHo.

Of the three, Amazon Gods is the most surprising given it’s a signature drama on Amazon’s streaming service.

It’s not clear if Sky’s rights for the series will give it first dibs on season two or if Amazon Prime will maintain its exclusive window.

Season one was streamed in up to 4K on Amazon Prime whereas SoHo’s presentation will be limited to 1080i.

The enigmatic eight-part series, about a brewing holy war among the gods, also was released late last year on DVD.

So unless Sky has secured season two exclusively for this market, it seems an odd acquisition for a channel that’s built its appeal and reputation on singular programming.

However, the second series Sky’s secured through its new deal with Fremantle Media Distribution, the six-part Hard Sun, will be unique to SoHo.

About two London detectives who discover Doomsday’s around the corner, it was written by Wellington-based Cross and stars Jim Sturgess (Geostorm) and Agyness Deyn (Sunset Song).

“It’s a gutsy, ambitious concept, and when the real world has leaders comparing the size of their nuclear buttons, its apocalyptic angst feels timely,” said The Guardian of its UK premiere this week on BBC One.

Both Hard Sun and American Gods will premiere next month on SoHo while due later in the year is Picnic at Hanging Rock.

It stars Natalie Dormer in a “re-imagining” of the novel about three schoolgirls and a teacher who disappeared during a Valentine’s Day picnic in 1900.

Originally filmed in 1975, this Foxtel production will run for six episodes.