US network ABC chief Paul Lee is keen to kick off talks with UK talent and producers to commission more international coproductions. 

Lee, president of ABC Entertainment Group, told Screen’s sister publication Broadcast that he wants to build on the success of series such as Canadian cop drama Rookie Blue by tapping into international storytelling techniques. 

The call comes ahead of this week’s RTS Cambridge Convention, where the British, former BBC executive will deliver a keynote speech about US network TV, the global dynamics of content creation and the way in which technology is changing story-telling. 

“We look at HBO, which has traditionally done lots of coproductions with the BBC and we would welcome [more] of that,” he said.

“I don’t think in terms of shore lines we are looking to cross borders - but certainly in terms of talent, producers, finances and on screen and off screen talent we are.”

ABC is currently preparing to launch lottery drama Lucky 7, a remake of Rollem Productions comedy drama for BBC1 The Syndicate.

The Disney-owned network is also launching Dutch drama Betrayal, a sexy legal thriller based on the series Overspel and produced by Dutch public broadcaster Vara. This comes after the broadcaster launched Endemol’s crime drama Red Widow last year, which is based on the format Penoza. 

“We coproduce with Endemol, the BBC and number of other companies so we welcome the notion of that with foreign producers across the board,” Lee added. 

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