A&E Inks First-Look Development Deal with Writer-Producer Michael Hirst

A+E Studios has signed a multiyear first-look development agreement with Oscar®-nominated screenwriter and producer Michael Hirst, it was announced today by Barry Jossen, Executive Vice President of A+E Studios. This partnership marks A+E Studios' second overall production deal as part of its continued expansion.

"I'm delighted to be joining with A+E Studios in a creative, on-going partnership," said Hirst. "My experience working with the History Channel on 'Vikings' has been altogether positive, enjoyable and collaborative. I now look forward eagerly to developing more original drama with the A+E Studios very committed team. Per adua ad astra."

"Michael is an extraordinarily gifted writer and producer," said Jossen. "His distinct voice and unique vision make him an ideal partner for A+E Studios. We look forward to a long and productive future together."

Under the pact, Hirst will work closely with the A+E Studios team to develop, create and produce quality original drama programming for the A+E portfolio of networks including A&E, Lifetime and HISTORY, as well as outside buyers.

Michael Hirst, one of the leading historical storytellers in the industry, has been a screenwriter for almost 30 years. Hirst currently serves as creator and executive producer of HISTORY's hit drama series "Vikings," and has written every episode of the series. Film credits include The Ballad of the Sad Café, Fools of Fortune, and Elizabeth, which was nominated for six Academy Awards® including Best Picture. He also created, executive produced, and wrote every episode of the award-winning TV series "The Tudors."

Hirst was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire in 1952 and grew up in Ilkley, on the edge of the moors, not far from "Wuthering Heights." He was educated at Bradford Grammar School, the London School of Economics, University of Nottingham - where he received a First Class Joint-Honours Degree in English and American Literature - and Trinity College, Oxford, where he studied the short stories of Henry James. Hirst currently lives in Oxfordshire, England, with his artist wife, Deboirah. Between them they have nine children.

Hirst is repped by WME/IMG and United Agents (in the UK).

ABOUT A+E STUDIOS

A+E Studios is the studio unit of the award-winning global media company A+E Networks, LLC. A+E Studios creates, produces and distributes high quality scripted programming across all networks and platforms in the A+E Networks portfolio, including A&E Network, Lifetime, History, LMN, fyi, H2 and A&E IndieFilms. A+E Studios' slate of programming consists of scripted series, event series and movies, including "The Returned" for A&E Network, "UnREAL" for Lifetime and "Texas Rising," "Sons of Liberty," and "Houdini" for History, among others.

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