Starz Acquires 'The Listeners' From BBC Starring Rebecca Hall

Starz has acquired the BBC series The Listeners, starring Rebecca Hall. The series, which originally aired on the BBC over a year ago, is produced by Element Pictures, the company behind Normal People, and directed by Janicza Bravo.

A Psychological Thriller Unfolds

The Listeners centers on Claire, an English teacher portrayed by Rebecca Hall, who begins experiencing a mysterious, low humming sound that no one else can detect. This unsettling phenomenon disrupts her life, straining her relationships with her husband, Paul (Prasanna Puwanarajah), and daughter, Ashley (Mia Tharia). A connection forms when Claire discovers a student, Kyle (Ollie West), also perceives the sound, leading to an unexpected friendship.

Did You Know? The Listeners is based on the novel by Jordan Tannahill and Rebecca Hall described the project as a “four-hour movie” during an interview with Deadline.

American Interest in British Drama

The acquisition by Starz signals continued American interest in British-produced content. Starz and the BBC have collaborated previously on dramas such as The Missing and Dublin Murders. Fremantle brokered the deal, with Lisa Honig and Lorenzo De Maio handling negotiations.

Expert Insight: The acquisition of The Listeners by Starz demonstrates a strategic move to bolster its programming for women with a psychological thriller, potentially attracting a wider audience and reinforcing the value of international co-productions in the current media landscape.

Alison Hoffman, President of Starz Networks, stated that The Listeners “pulls viewers in from the start with its unique mystery while provoking questions about how society treats and believes women’s experiences.” She added that Starz is “proud to bring this critically acclaimed project to the U.S.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Listeners about?

The Listeners follows Claire, an English teacher who begins to hear a mysterious humming sound that disrupts her life and leads her to an unlikely friendship with a student who can also hear it.

Who is involved in the production?

The series stars Rebecca Hall and is directed by Janicza Bravo. It is produced by Element Pictures, the company behind Normal People, and based on the novel by Jordan Tannahill.

Have Starz and the BBC worked together before?

Yes, Starz and the BBC have previously partnered on dramas including The Missing and Dublin Murders.

It is possible that the series’ availability on Starz could broaden its reach to a new audience in the United States. Further collaborations between Starz and the BBC may occur, potentially bringing more British dramas to American viewers. The success of The Listeners on Starz could also influence future acquisitions of similar international content.

Starz Acquires ‘The Listeners’ From BBC Starring Rebecca Hall