Warner Bros, Metan Development Group to develop series in China

MUMBAI: China?s Mei Tian Mei Yu (Mei Tian) and H& R Century TV (H&R), in conjunction with Metan Development Group (Metan), Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) and the creative team behind ?Gossip Girl?, have joined to develop a modern new teen drama series (30x60min) set in China.

Instrumental in bringing the parties together, Metan, a company founded by international TV veterans Marty Pompadur and Larry Namer, together with WBITVP, will provide development and roductionconsultation on the project, which is poised to launch a new era of the modern drama series in China.

H&R president Zhong Junyan said, "As one of the leading film and drama production companies in China today, we?re excited to be working with such an amazing team of international TV professionals. With its keen understanding of global production, Metan has joined together with Warner Bros. International Television Production, creating an extraordinary consultant team to help Mei Tain and H&R forge a newv form of drama series in China."

Metan?s president, CEO Larry Namer said, "Metan is pleased to be involved with this exciting collaboration, underscoring our ability to once again create positive connections between Hollywood with China. We believe that bringing together such a talented team will result in one of the biggest and best drama series ever seen in China, as the country enters this new age of TV production."

Warner Bros. International Television Production senior VP, creative, format development and sales Andrew Zein said, "We are delighted to be working with Mei Tan and H&R to bring this new series to one of the most vibrant and exciting countries on the planet, China".

Set to debut to Mandarin-speaking audiences in November 2012, the series is about the lives of the students of the prestigious Shanghai International University, the school of choice of the rich and powerful. One?s social status reaches a new level once admitted into the school. Each week, the main characters? trust, love and friendship are tested, with all the behind-the-scenes tales recorded in a blog. In the beginning, they are confused and lost; however over time, they discover who they really are and eventually find the right path to pursue their dreams.

Production is set to begin in June and a nationwide casting search will begin later this month. Chinese actress Yang Mi will have a recurring role on the series.