Posted in: Netflix, TV | Tagged:

Netflix Acquires UK Psychological Teen Drama "The A-List"

Published Thu, 04 Jul 2019 16:25:26 -0500

The A-List is a teen psychological drama with horror elements that was originally produced for the BBC's iPlayer platform. The 13-episode drama centers on Mia (Lisa Ambalavener), who finds herself faced with an unexpected rival when attending a summer camp in the Scottish Highlands. That rival is Amber (Ellie Duckles), who doesn't plan on letting Mia enjoy her "holiday of a lifetime."

Netflix Acquires UK Psychological Teen Drama "The A-List" — //Credit: BBC/Netflix

Mia arrives at an idyllic summer camp expecting to be Queen Bee, but the "holiday of a lifetime" turns into a twisted nightmare with the arrival of the mysterious Amber.

The series looks to adapt a lot of the supernatural spooks and jumps, along with the typical interpersonal drama and romance that has made shows like Riverdale and Sabrina work so well for the CW and Netflix, but in a decidedly British manner.

The show also wanted to portray a more diverse cast, which was very important to The A-List series lead Ambalavener, speaking to the BBC:

"I think the diversity of it and representation does a lot of the work. I watched American shows like The OC growing up, but there wasn't anyone who looked like me in it. If I would have seen this trailer I would have at least started watching it, as I would have seen people who looked like my friends and family – because it represents Britain in modern days and that speaks a lot."

The show was hoping to create the type of content that could compete with bigger streaming services like Netflix, with the intent of providing a strong, dramatic foundation that would help shore up the smaller budget.

It looks like that gambit paid off. While the A-List may have been seen in the UK in 2018, it looks like Netflix has secured international rights to the program, with intent to carry the show everywhere in the world except Britain.

The series was written by Dan Berlinka, who worked on Shaun The Sheep, and Nina Metivier, who worked on the latest season of Doctor Who.

The A-List executive producer Anne Brogan is pretty happy with the deal:

"The A List is an intense and powerfully addictive drama for teen audiences everywhere. Dan and Nina have created a dark and compelling world brought to life by incredible performances from the show's incredible young cast. We're thrilled that Netflix is introducing this haunting psychodrama to a global audience."

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!