THR is reporting that Michael Hirst, creator and showrunner of The Tudors and Vikings, has launched his own independent production company Green Pavillion Entertainment, which has signed a first look deal with MGM Television and aims to produce high end dramas for global markets.
The first project from the company will be a TV adaptation of the 1998 action thriller Ronin, which followed a group of mercenaries hired to steal a metallic briefcase from a heavily armored convoy. Robert De Niro led a cast that also included Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgard, Sean Bean and Jonathan Pryce.
“Green Pavilion has been a long time in the making,” said Hirst. “Everyone involved in this new venture has experience developing and making premium content which appeals to international audiences. Having MGM Television as an ally in this venture will help us to build on our strengths and draw the best writers, directors and creative talent in the industry to our projects.”
“Michael Hirst, Morgan O’Sullivan and James Flynn have brilliantly shepherded Vikings for the past five years and, during that time, we have witnessed first-hand the quality of artists and talent that this team have expertly assembled to produce premium content on a massive scale,” added Mark Burnett, president of MGM’s television and digital group. “We look forward to continue working with their whole team at Green Pavilion.”
