Sky reveals biggest ever original TV and movie slate, and we want to watch them all

Sky has announced its largest ever slate of new programming. The broadcaster says it will launch over 200 Original shows across all genres, starting this year, for Sky Q and Sky Glass subscribers, and the NOW streaming TV service.

Included in the new title reveal is a big budget adaptation of Heather Morris’ bestselling novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and the return of two hit dramas: I Hate Suzie Too starring Billie Piper and COBRA: Rebellion, starring Robert Carlyle.

Also announced were three original comedies, including Sheridan Smith in Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything, Romesh Ranganathan and Katherine Ryan’s Romantic Getaway, and Suranne Jones in Christmas Carole.

Upcoming under the Sky Original films banner is the Letitia Wright drama Aisha; Colin Farrell in sci-fi outing After Yang; Brian Cox, Jodie Turner-Smith, John Cena and Ann Dowd in political thriller, The Independent; and the Russell Crowe directed Poker Face.

The announcement translates to a 60 per cent increase in production over 2021, and indicative of Sky’s huge investment in the UK creative economy.

One of the first projects to be filmed at its new Sky Studios Elstree complex will be the film adaptation of the hit musical Wicked…

Sky has also confirmed that one of the first projects to be filmed at its new Sky Studios Elstree complex will be Universal Pictures highly anticipated film adaptation of the hit musical Wicked, the untold story of the Witches of Oz. 

Wicked is based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire and will be directed by Jon M. Chu. When it opens later this year Sky Studios Elstree will house 13 studios and enable £3bn of production investment over its first five years of operation.

Speaking on the new commissions, Zai Bennett, Managing Director, Content Sky UK and Ireland, said: “Great stories have the power to help us connect with each other, and at its best entertainment isn’t something we watch, it’s something we feel and experience. That’s why we’re creating and investing in world-class original storytelling to give our customers even more of their favourite shows and films than ever before. We’re delighted to be working with some of the best UK and international talent, both on and off screen, to bring these stories to life. “

These new projects come on top of previously announced Sky Original TV series This England starring Kenneth Branagh, The Midwich Cuckoos starring Keeley Hawes, Gangs of London series 2 starring Sope Dirisu, Funny Woman staring Gemma Arterton, and Brassic series 4 staring Joe Gilgun and Michelle Keegan.

The broadcaster’s top acquired attractions for 2022 include Stephen Moffat’s serialised adaptation of The Time Traveler’s Wife, the returning hit The Flight Attendant Season 2 and the highly anticipated Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon.