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Viacom’s Logo acquires Fremantle’s period drama ‘Fingersmith’
MUMBAI: Fremantle International Distribution has sold the star-studded period drama, Fingersmith, to Viacom’s new cable channel, Logo. The show is produced by Sally Head Production.
Logo is the US channel targeting gay and lesbian audiences.
FID vice president programme distribution, North America and Canada Lisa Honig brokered the deal. Fingersmith, which was originally produced for BBC1 in the UK, has now been sold to 19 territories including Belgium, France, Australia, Finland, New Zealand and Japan.
FID managing director David Ellender said, “This most recent sale is testimony to the diversity of our catalogue. This diversity, coupled with the creative excellence of our programming allows us to stay ahead of the market. We are delighted to contribute to the programming line-up of MTV’s newly launched channel, Logo.”
Logo senior vice president and general manager Lisa Sherman said, “Fingersmith has been applauded for its high quality and production values, and we are extremely happy to have it making its US debut on Logo. Fingersmith is a fine example of the premier content available on Logo.”
Starring Oscar-nominee Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake, Bright Young Things, David Copperfield), Fingersmith is a Peter Ransley adaptation of the Booker-nominated novel by Sarah Waters, the same author of controversial novel and BBC drama, Tipping the Velvet.
Fingersmith (the Victorian slang term for a pickpocket) tells the story of Sue Trinder, the adopted daughter of Mrs Sucksby and Mr Ibbs, who live in a world of petty thievery and charlatans in their loot-hold in Lant Street. As the one child kept and nurtured by her foster mother, Sue feels safe and loved. But her sheltered life is turned upside down when conman Richard Rivers, nicknamed “Gentleman,” comes to Lant Street to recruit Sue’s help for an ambitious scam to defraud wealthy young heiress, Maud Lilly. In the dark twisting alleyways of Dickensian London, the lives of the two very different young women are set to collide with terrifying consequences.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
