Sky and Starz Partner on Co-Commission for 50 Cent’s Boxing Drama ‘Fightland’
Sky has joined forces with 50 Cent’s boxing drama Fightland in a new first-look deal with Starz. The partnership aims to enhance television offerings, starting with the series premiering in the UK on Sky and Now TV.
The production wrapped shooting in London recently and features the story of Maduka “Duke” Kilroy, portrayed by Howard Charles. Kilroy, a disgraced former boxing champion, returns to London seeking revenge against the crime family he believes betrayed him. The cast also includes Nicholas Pinnock, Deborah Ayorinde, and Charles Babalola.
This collaboration builds on a history of joint ventures between Starz and Sky, which have previously produced projects like Sweetpea and Amadeus. Starz announced that the new co-commission deal will enable Sky to have first-look access to a selection of Starz’s upcoming series.
“We’re thrilled to be stepping back in the ring with our partners at Sky and look forward to building upon the next chapter of our long-standing creative collaboration together,” stated Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming for Starz. “Fightland delivers a dynamic blend of action and fearless, character-driven storytelling set against the vibrant backdrop of British boxing. We’re proud to debut this bold drama as our first fully owned original series.”
50 Cent and Starz have a well-established working relationship, having collaborated on multiple seasons of the popular series Power and its spin-offs.
Fightland is executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson alongside Francis Hopkinson and Kate Leadbetter of Expanded Media. The series will be helmed by showrunners and executive producers Damione Macedon and Raphael Jackson Jr., with additional writing and production from Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith.
