Left: Takashi Sasaki, TBS President
Upper left: Alon Shtruzman, CEO of Keshet International
Upper right: Anna-Sue Greenberg, Facet4 Media
Lower right: Atar Dekel, Keshet International
Right: Hiroshi Abe, who stars as captain of the underwater investigation team in Deep Crime Unit

Deep Crime Unit, or DCU, will air on the TBS television network’s prime-time Sunday night slot (9:00 p.m.)starting January 2022. This original crime drama centers around a fictional organization called “Deep Crime Unit” which specializes in underwater investigations. An exciting mystery exploring incidents below the surface and the fascinating intrigues that go even deeper, the original drama series is to be the first of several that TBS plans to co-produce with Keshet International and Facet4 Media. Aiming for global expansion, the partners have just launched their collaboration.

With filming set to begin soon, an online meeting was held for cast and crew linking four countries, including the show’s star, renowned Japanese actor Hiroshi Abe. TBS President Takashi Sasaki, Keshet International CEO Alon Shtruzman, and Anne-Sue Greenberg of Facet4 Media all expressed their commitment to the new venture.

Deep Crime Unit (DCU) is a 10-episode x 60-minute crime-based procedural based on a concept co-developed by Keshet International and Canada’s Facet4 Media and a production manual written and created by Ilan Ulmer and Samuel Goldberg.


TBS President Takashi Sasaki commented:
We are extremely pleased to be joining hands with Keshet International and Facet4 Media, both leaders in the global market. TBS continues to be focused on delivering premium content to world audiences, and with this joint production, I think we are taking a big step forward. Today marks a highly significant milestone in our new collaboration. When I first learned of the Deep Crime Unit project two years ago, I found the idea of solving crimes through underwater diving excitingly new and fresh. I remember how thrilled I was to hear that this drama is the first of its kind in the world. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, and I trust that the entire cast and crew will stay healthy and contribute their finest work. COVID-19 has left the whole world feeling lost. It would be wonderful if this drama could give us all a lift, offering a bit of joy to audiences everywhere. It is precisely in times like these that I believe it is important to share great dramas with the world.


KI’s CEO Alon Shtruzman remarked:
I am very emotional about this project. I was part of it from the start and am very excited to see this project happening. I am grateful for the opportunity to do this amazing co-production. Producing in Japan has always been a big objective for Keshet International. For me this production is only the beginning. I admire the talent and capability of the Japanese industry.

It is an honor for us as Israelis and Canadians to sell IP to TBS, such a savvy and experienced network. It is also a privilege to co-produce with the biggest and most talented executive producers, and actors in Japan. I miss Japan and want to come back as soon as possible despite COVID. I will meet you at the Red Carpet for the premiere.


Facet4 Media’s Anna-Sue Greenberg added:
Visiting Tokyo for the script meeting was my last trip before the COVID breakout. Seeing the formation of a true international co-production has been wonderful. TBS has been a phenomenal supporter of DCU since the beginning. We are very honored and privileged to be part of this co-production. We are so delighted with the incredible cast and crew that TBS put together. We know this drama will be so successful in Japan. The pleasure of this business also has a lot of challenges of which we have had many over the past 18 months. I cannot wait to come on set to watch this fabulous production come to life. The experience for us in Canada has been incredible. Japan is a wonderful territory in which to be working together with our Israeli partners. Projects thrive on wonderful partnerships. I truly hope this is the first project of many more to come.


Hiroshi Abe, who stars as the Deep Crime Unit captain said:
I am inspired by your words and feel even more determined to do my best. I'm thrilled to be able to bring to fruition the plan for this series, which Alon and I first talked about in Tokyo two years ago over yakitori. It’s all coming together just as he promised it would, and I am very happy to have this opportunity to be a part of it. It will be a great honor to appear on prime time on TBS Sunday night once again, and I will do everything I can to make the show everything it should be. Knowing that this drama will be enjoyed by audiences worldwide, I’m looking forward to the start of filming and will give it my all.


About Keshet International (https://www.keshetinternational.com/)
A leading global content producer and distributor, Keshet International (KI) has a network of seven production companies and distribution hubs - KI in Tel Aviv, Keshet Productions in London, Tresor and Keshet Tresor Fiction in Germany, as well as Keshet Studios’ two offices in the US (LA and NY) – and a majority stake in Greenbird Media. KI offers original content developed and produced within this network of companies, alongside Keshet 12 in Israel, as well as curated third-party IP from partners all over the world. KI’s boutique catalogue of finished content and formats spans a broad range of scripted and non-scripted programming, including drama, comedy, entertainment, game shows, and factual.  It is part of the Keshet Media Group, Israel’s most successful media company.

About Facet4 Media (http://facet4.ca/)
Facet4 was founded by industry veteran Stephen Greenberg in 2014 along with Head of Creative and International Co-Productions Anna-Sue Greenberg. The brother and sister team boasts many years of combined experience, having produced, executive produced and developed more than 50 made for television movies, dramatic series and documentaries that have been viewed around the world. Focused on the creation, development and packaging of projects with international appeal, Facet4 is committed to exploiting the vast pool of talent that exists in Canada and delivering high quality programming to the global market.

About Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc. (http://www.tbs.co.jp/eng/)
Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc. (TBS) is the principal subsidiary of Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings, Inc. and one of the leading commercial TV networks in Japan. Since its establishment in 1951, TBS has produced and broadcast countless popular dramas, variety shows, news and live sports. Programs aired on TBS have been distributed to great acclaim across five continents. TBS is globally famous for original programs such as the TV drama series Naoki Hanzawa, which set the record for number one world trending topic on Twitter for ten straight weeks. Takeshi’s Castle and the sports entertainment show Ninja Warrior have both been broadcast in over 150+ countries and have achieved universal popularity.

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