Stephen Merchant, Timothy Spall to Star in New Series for BBC and ITV's BritBox

BritBox, the British-centric niche streaming service from BBC and ITV, announced a new partnership with writer-producer Jeff Pope on Saturday to produce two new series starring Stephen Merchant (“The Office”) and Harry Potter series alum Timothy Spall.

Merchant, who directed the upcoming WWE feature “Fighting With My Family,” will star in one series as convicted serial killer Stephen Port, who received a life sentence in 2016 after being found guilty for the rape and murder of multiple men.

The series, written by Neil McKay with the working title “The Barking Murders,” focuses on the families of the victims.

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Pope, an Oscar nominee for co-scripting the 2013 drama “Philomena,” will also co-produce “The Hatton Garden Heist,” which was created and written by Pope and will star Timothy Spall (“Harry Potter”).

“Throughout the past year BritBox has continued to thrive in an increasingly competitive space,” BritBox President Soumya Sriraman said in a statement. “Our service has the right mix of one-of-a-kind originals, unrivaled British talent, and an enviable library of classics that proves even in a field dominated by Goliaths, David still has a shot.”

The partnership comes one month after BritBox announced it now serves over 500,000 paying subscribers.

Known for its library of classic and current British content, the SVOD service features exclusive premieres and current British-native shows with most content becoming available within 24 hours after its U.K. premiere.

Golden Globes Party Report: Emily Blunt, Olivia Colman, Richard Madden Lead British Invasion (Photos)

"A Quiet Place" power couple John Krasinski and Emily Blunt spent Saturday afternoon at the BAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party presented by Jaguar Land Rover at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for her role in "Mary Poppins Returns," Blunt's fellow Brit Olivia Colman would take home the trophy the following day.
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Richard Madden (pictured arriving at the BAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party sponsored by Heineken) has gone from being best known as the ill-fated Robb Stark on "Game of Thrones" to winning a Best Actor Golden Globe for Netflix drama "Bodyguard."
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"Who Is America?" creator Sacha Baron Cohen came as his real self with actress/wife Isla Fisher, arriving in a very British Jaguar F-PACE vehicle.
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Onscreen rivals in "The Favourite," Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz stood in unison, holding hands with co-star Olivia Colman on the BAFTA carpet. Colman would later nab a Best Actress Golden Globe for her portrayal as Queen Anne.
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Their male co-star Nicholas Hoult, who played Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford in the acclaimed historical comedy-drama, arrived solo.
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Just in case anyone didn't know who he was, "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" nominee Richard E. Grant held up a sign with his name on the red carpet for the BAFTA Tea Party.
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Sir Ben Kingsley and Daniela Lavender arrived in style at the BAFTA Tea Party despite the rain that added even more of an English feel.
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"Dynasty" actress Joan Collins got a ride in an elegant Jaguar Land Rover vehicle.
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Rosamund Pike at the BAFTA Tea Party.
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"The Force Awakens" actor Adam Driver at the BAFTA Tea Party.
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Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o at the BAFTA Tea Party.
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"Outlander" actress Caitriona Balfe at the BAFTA Tea Party.
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Over at The House on Sunset, Nicole Kidman co-hosted the 6th Annual Gold Meets Golden brunch with former Olympian Nadia Comaneci on Saturday.
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Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain at the 6th Annual Gold Meets Golden brunch.
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Octavia Spencer at the 6th Annual Gold Meets Golden brunch.
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"Sharp Objects" actress Amy Adams at the 6th Annual Gold Meets Golden brunch.
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Paralympian and "Dancing With the Stars" alum Amy Purdy at the 6th Annual Gold Meets Golden brunch.
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ESPN baseball analyst Jessica Mendoza at the 6th Annual Gold Meets Golden brunch.
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Danielle Macdonald at the 6th Annual Gold Meets Golden brunch.
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”Mary Poppins Returns,“ ”The Favourite“ and ”Bodyguard“ stars join the 76th Golden Globe Awards party scene despite the very English weather

"A Quiet Place" power couple John Krasinski and Emily Blunt spent Saturday afternoon at the BAFTA Los Angeles Tea Party presented by Jaguar Land Rover at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for her role in "Mary Poppins Returns," Blunt's fellow Brit Olivia Colman would take home the trophy the following day.

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Golden Globes Party Report: Emily Blunt, Olivia Colman, Richard Madden Lead British Invasion (Photos)

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