English Entertainment
Zee Café brings another set of gripping British drama under their BBC First block – ‘Doctor Foster S2’ and ‘Unforgotten’
MUMBAI: When it comes to British dramas, you know you are in for a compelling story that keeps you on the edge! Here are two such gripping British sagas that stay true to it’s promise. Zee Café, one of the leading English general entertainment channels in India, in association with BBC Worldwide is set to bring two of the latest award-winning dramas Unforgotten Season 1 and Doctor Foster Season 2 as a part of the second edition of its successful property BBC First. Filled with fury, deceit and some teardrops, the shows will enthral viewers and keep them hooked as they air on weekdays at 10 PM.
Unforgotten, the crime drama series is a masterpiece featuring two sharp police detectives in an exhilarating hunt as they dig out cold cases that involve historical disappearances and murders. DCI Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and DI Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) break any stereotypes for detectives as they are both brilliant and compassionate. Together, they embark on a mission to unravel the secrets buried for years together! Speaking about the success of the show, the Indian-origin actor Sanjeev Bhaskar says, “I was incredibly pleased and proud at having been involved in the first series. It’s rare to get such a consensus of critics and audience as well. I’m over the moon that people embraced it in the way they did.” Starting 28th August, 2018, Unforgotten will air every Tuesday at 10PM exclusively on Zee Café!
A case of infidelity and a woman’s rage that brings the whole world down – Doctor Foster Season 1 was nothing short of dramatic explosions showcasing the award-winning actress Suranne Jones who won a BAFTA for her role as the protagonist in the series. Speaking about her character in Doctor Foster she says, “She’s not particularly likeable. It’s not a case of, “Let’s all root for Gemma because her horrible husband is having an affair.” I think the great thing about Doctor Foster is that they are ambiguous characters.”
Taking a two-year leap, Doctor Foster Season 2 kickstarts with the city’s top doctor Gemma Foster (Suranne Jones) and her teenage son Tom leading a happy life. However, things turn topsy-turvy as Gemma’s ex-husband Simon (Bertie Carvel) along with his partner Kate come back into the picture. With hatred and anger brewing between these ex-lovers, the series follows the new dimension to this estranged relationship as they happen to reunite for a night of passion. What’s more? The season culminates in the most appalling climax that further adds to the! Come 30th August, 2018, Doctor Foster S2 will air every Thursday at 10PM exclusively on Zee Café!
English Entertainment
ZEE5 UK partners Narrative Entertainment to add UK channels
Six FAST channels added as platform sharpens hybrid play in Britain
LONDON: ZEE5 UK struck a first-of-its-kind deal with Narrative Entertainment, bringing mainstream UK television channels onto an Indian streaming platform as it pushes to deepen its footprint in a crowded, mature market.
The partnership adds six of Narrative’s FAST channels to the service, including Great! Movies, Great! Romance, Great! Mystery and kids brands POP, Tiny Pop and POP UP, widening ZEE5 UK’s appeal across genres and age groups.
The move reflects a clear shift in strategy. ZEE5 UK is betting on a hybrid model that blends on-demand content with curated, always-on channels to drive discovery and increase time spent on the platform.
“This partnership represents a meaningful evolution in how we serve audiences in mature markets like the UK, where viewers are defined by habits, convenience and choice rather than geography or language alone,” said Parul Goel, territory head, Europe, Zee Entertainment. “By bringing trusted mainstream UK channels together with our premium originals, movies and kids’ content, we are building a more consumer-centric platform that simplifies viewing while increasing depth and relevance.”
Fateha Begum, commercial director, Narrative Entertainment, said the tie-up would fuel growth for both sides. “Our portfolio of quality programming, with such wide and enduring appeal, is a perfect complement to ZEE5 UK. This is a strong partnership that will support growth for both parties, and we share Zee Entertainment’s vision of an increasingly partnership-led future for the industry.”
ZEE5’s global library spans over 4,000 films and more than 500 originals, with over 130 new titles added annually. The addition of Narrative’s channels strengthens its kids offering and introduces genre-led linear experiences alongside its on-demand catalogue.
The deal also gives Narrative access to ZEE5 UK’s fast-growing user base, extending reach without diluting brand identity, while reinforcing ZEE5 UK’s network of more than 40 live channels.
As streaming wars intensify, ZEE5 UK is widening its playbook, blending content, convenience and partnerships in a bid to win screen time in one of the world’s toughest markets.
