RLJ Entertainment

The Acorn TV Original Series will make its U.S. Premiere in 2017;
Upcoming Acorn TV Originals and Acorn Media Enterprises
co-productions include
Agatha Raisin, Agatha Christie’s A Witness for the Prosecution; and British thriller The Level

SILVER SPRING, MD, August 22, 2016 – Following recent Acorn TV Original Series co-production announcements for Ashley Jensen’s Agatha Raisin, Agatha Christie’s A Witness for the Prosecution, and British thriller The Level, Acorn Media Enterprises (AME), the development division for the Acorn brand of RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE), has partnered with Blinder Films, DCD Rights, and RTÉ to co-produce the new Irish legal drama Striking Out. This four-part, character driven returnable drama series centers on the tumultuous professional and personal life of Dublin-based solicitor Tara (Amy Huberman, The Clinic, Moone Boy), and her fledgling law firm. Filled with charm, humor, humanity and emotional complexity, Striking Out will offer an addictively engaging snapshot of contemporary life in Ireland’s capital. In a deal brokered by Katie Holly for Blinder and Shane Murphy for Acorn Media Enterprises, AME will be the co-producing partner for North America, as well as acquiring rights in the UK, Eire, Australia and New Zealand. The series will premiere on RTE in early 2017 and will make its U.S. Premiere on Acorn TV, the premier North American streaming service for world-class TV from Britain and beyond, in 2017.

Striking Out began filming around Dublin in July 2016 and co-stars Rory Keenan (War & Peace, Peaky Blinders), Emmet Byrne, Fiona O’Shaughnessy (Utopia), and Neil Morrissey (Line of Duty, Grantchester, The Night Manager).

In Striking Out, when Tara discovers her fiancé and fellow solicitor Eric (Rory Keenan) has been cheating with a colleague – she leaves him and the prestigious law firm they worked at to set up her own practice specializing in family and divorce law. Working alongside her new team, including mentor and friend Vincent (Neil Morrissey), and tech guru and private detective Meg (Fiona O’Shaughnessy), Tara’s often surprising, sometimes poignant and always intriguing cases will not only put her in direct conflict with influential families and the legal and political establishment, but also challenge her own personal morals. But throughout their findings, fallouts and resolutions, Tara discovers that this unexpected road is actually more thrilling, rewarding and fulfilling than the path she nearly took was ever going to be.

Shane Murphy, Managing Director, Acorn Media Enterprises, said, “With several first-rate series already in production, Acorn Media Enterprises is thrilled to add an excellent legal drama to our slate. With a charming and addictive script, a stellar ensemble cast, and partners like Blinder Films, DCD Rights, and RTÉ, Striking Out is an ideal addition to Acorn Media Enterprises rapidly growing co-productions.”

Striking Out producer Katie Holly of Blinder Films said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Acorn, DCD and RTE on our first television drama series. The TV drama space is incredibly exciting and dynamic at the moment, and we expect that with our terrific cast, wonderful creative team and strong partners we will deliver a series that will compete well in that space and appeal to viewers world-wide.”

The series is created by James Phelan (Wrecking the Rising), and written by Rob Heyland (Between the Lines, Whistleblowers), Mike O’Leary (Eipic, Misfits) and James Phelan. Striking Out will be directed by Lisa James Larsson (NBC’s Welcome to Sweden, The 100 Code) and is produced by Yvonne Donohoe and Katie Holly for Blinder Films. Blinder Films most recent productions include Whit Stillman’s Love & Friendship, starring Kate Beckinsale and Chloe Sevigny, and the award-winning documentary The Queen of Ireland which Universal released theatrically in the UK and Ireland. Distributor DCD Rights is selling the series internationally.

RLJ Entertainment’s Acorn, named the “chief curators of the best Brit TV” by TIME magazine, holds exclusive United Kingdom, Australian, and North American distribution rights to many of the top British and international programs, which are available for broadcast television, digital download, digital streaming, and in lavishly packaged DVDs/Blu-rays.

The Acorn brand has received an Emmy® nomination for the final episode of Agatha Christie’s Poirot and an Edgar®-Award for George Gently. Acorn also co-produced the BBC mystery series Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime and the final two series of the beloved mystery series Foyle’s War.

Streaming service Acorn TV adds new exclusive programs every week and features a deep library of mysteries, dramas, and comedies with no set end dates. Subscribers can stream many of their favorite international series and discover new and classic programs previously unavailable to U.S. audiences. Acorn TV series include Aussie drama A Place to Call Home, BAFTA-winning comedy Detectorists, Guy Pearce’s noir thriller Jack Irish, hit dramedy Doc Martin, ‘Best Dramatic Series’ winner 19-2, breakout British comedies Raised by Wolves and Cradle to Grave, French drama series The Disappearance, Australia’s #1 drama 800 Words, BBC period drama The Secret Agent, and many more. Acorn TV offers a free 30-day trial and thereafter is just $4.99/month or $49.99/year.

RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) is an entertainment content distribution company in primarily North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia. RLJE’s titles are distributed in multiple formats including broadcast television (including satellite and cable), theatrical and non-theatrical, DVD, Blu-Ray, digital download, and digital streaming.

With its popular OTT branded channels, Acorn TV (British TV) and UMC (Urban Movie Channel), RLJE targets distinct, premium audiences and Urban niche audiences. The company grows its proprietary digital channels through development, acquisition, and distribution of exclusive rights of program franchises and feature film content.

Through Acorn Media Enterprises, its UK development arm, RLJE owns all rights to the hit UK mystery series Foyle’s War and is developing new programs. RLJE owns 64% of Agatha Christie Limited, which manages the intellectual property and publishing rights to some of the greatest works of mystery fiction, including stories of the iconic sleuths Miss Marple and Poirot. Through its proprietary e-commerce web sites for the Acorn brand in North America and the UK, the company also has direct contacts and billing relationships with millions of consumers.

For more information, please visit RLJEntertainment.com, Acorn.TV, and UrbanMovieChannel.com.

RLJE/Acorn: Chad Campbell, 3301.830.6203, ccampbell@rljentertainment.com