EXCLUSIVE: The first international pre-sales for RTÉ & BBC drama Tall Tales & Murder are in. Billed as a darkly funny crime caper, the much-anticipated series stars Ella Lily Hyland (Black Doves), Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones), Philippa Dunne (Derry Girls) and Packy Lee (Peaky Blinders) and has been acquired in Australia and Germany.
The show is produced by Avalon in association with Metropolitan Pictures. Avalon is across distribution and has shopped the series to SBS in Australia and to another pubcaster in Germany, with ZDF scooping the local rights.
Tall Tales & Murder is written by Stuart Carolan (Love/Hate) and co-created with EMMY winner Chris Addison (Veep). The series wrapped filming in January and will premiere later this year. RTÉ and the BBC have, unusually, given the show a two-season order off the bat. The broadcasters have been working together a lot recently, with this series, Marian Keyes adaptation The Walsh Sisters and Rónán Hession’s Leonard and Hungry Paul.
The Tall Tales & Murder story is based on the popular eight-book ‘Dublin Trilogy’ by Caimh McDonnell, which traces the interconnected lives and adventures of Paul Mulchrone, Brigit Conroy, and Bunny McGarry in Dublin.
Addison gave Deadline his take on Tall Tales & Murder in a exclusive interview. “This is a lot darker than the books and the plot takes it to different places,” he said. “This is an absolutely bonkers caper with elements of gangster movie, treasure hunt and magical realism.”
The first sales on Tall Tales & Murder come as the London TV Screenings begin in earnest. Paula Warwick, Head of Distribution for Avalon, said: “We are thrilled to bring this brilliant, darkly funny crime drama series to the international market. Packed with star-making performances, crazy twists and the most Irish of Irish hearts, it will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.”