A+E Networks EMEA has embarked on an intriguing new project that delves into the shocking realm of real-life disappearances. Titled Missing, Presumed Dead, this ten-part series takes a unique approach by allowing the missing individuals themselves to tell their stories. Through cinematically shot interviews, viewers will gain firsthand insight into the experiences of these individuals.
The series will not only feature interviews with the missing people but will also include contributions from their families, friends, and experts in abduction, identity fraud, and survival techniques. By incorporating multiple perspectives, Missing, Presumed Dead aims to provide a comprehensive and gripping narrative.
A+E Networks EMEA has secured broadcast rights for Missing, Presumed Dead in the UK, Benelux, CEE, Greece, and the Middle East. Additionally, the series will be available on Sky Crime channel in Italy. For global distribution outside the UK, Germany-based Quintus Studios will distribute the series on its FD Crime channel. With over 11 million cumulative subscribers to its suite of AVOD networks, including FD Crime and Free Documentary, Quintus Studios has the potential to reach a vast international audience.
UK indie Spirit Studios, known for productions such as The Stand Up Sketch Show and acclaimed podcasts like Private Parts, is responsible for bringing Missing, Presumed Dead to life. As an organization backed by Channel 4 Growth Fund, Spirit Studios has a proven track record of delivering engaging and innovative content.
The executive producers for Missing, Presumed Dead include Dan Korn and Di Carter for A&E, Adam Jacobs for Quintus Studios, and Matt Campion and Martin Sadowski for Spirit Studios. Together, this talented team is dedicated to creating a series that captures the essence of these harrowing stories.
Unlike conventional true crime shows that focus solely on the investigations and the search for perpetrators, Missing, Presumed Dead takes a different approach. By centering the narrative on the missing individuals, their agonized families, and the investigators, the series offers a distinctive perspective that goes beyond the surface-level details.
According to Dan Korn, the series aims to shed light on lesser-known cases that are equally as harrowing as widely publicized instances of child abduction. These are stories of resilience and survival that deserve to be heard.
Anouk van Dijk, Head of Sales & Co-Productions at Quintus Studios, believes that Missing, Presumed Dead has immense potential for global viewership. The combination of Spirit Studios’ innovative storytelling and the extensive reach of Quintus Studios’ channels and catalogue sets the stage for a captivating series that will resonate with audiences worldwide.
Matt Campion, Creative Director of Spirit Studios, emphasizes the importance of highlighting stories that not only capture the human spirit but also offer a glimmer of hope. Missing, Presumed Dead is a testament to the incredible resilience of those who defied the odds and the relentless determination of those who fought to bring them home.
As Missing, Presumed Dead unfolds, viewers will embark on an emotional journey that unveils the untold stories of life’s most haunting disappearances. Through the eyes of the missing individuals themselves, this series promises to be a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit.