After focusing on preschool acquisitions, London’s Jetpack Distribution has acquired the exclusive worldwide rights to its first teen series, The Cul de Sac, a live-action sci-fi thriller from New Zealand’s Greenstone TV.
The deal covers all three six-ep seasons of the hit TVNZ2 show, which is aimed at kids ages nine to 16 and families. The Cul de Sac follows protagonist Rose, a courageous teen who embarks on a dangerous mission after discovering that the adults in her world have mysteriously disappeared. She is portrayed by Greta Gregory (pictured), who stars in another popular New Zealand production called The Brokenwood Mysteries. The Cul de Sac also features KJ Apa (Riverdale‘s Archie) and Beulah Koale (Thank You for Your Service).
Based in Auckland, indie prodco Greenstone TV produces factual, drama and documentary TV series for all ages, but its shows for older kids include Millennium Teens and In beTWEEN.
Jetpack’s deal is on-trend with a heightened audience demand for teen sci-fi/mystery series. LA-based Sonar Entertainment has also been diving into the space, recently getting its feet wet in live-action TV for older kids by partnering with The Jim Henson Company to develop sci-fi series RIFT. Netflix, meanwhile, is currently in production on a third season of its hit original series Stranger Things.