Amazon Studios gathers Ajayi’s Riches

Amazon Studios has boarded the previously announced drama series Riches from London-based prodco Greenacre Films and UK commercial broadcaster ITV, starring British-Nigerian actress Deborah Ayorinde.

The six-part drama will premiere on ITV in the UK, while Amazon’s Prime Video will carry the series in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics and Sub-Saharan Africa.

The project, created and written by Abby Ajayi (How to Get Away With Murder), recently went into production in London after receiving a green light last year. It was commissioned by Polly Hill, head of drama at ITV.

Riches follows the exploits of a brash, successful and wealthy family and stars Ayorinde (Them, Truth Be Told) as the estranged daughter of a self-made millionaire played by Ghanaian-born British actor Hugh Quarshie. Sarah Niles, Brendan Coyle and Hermione Norris also star.

The series is produced by Greenacre Films in association with Monumental Television, with Amazon Studios credited as coproducing in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nadine Marsh-Edwards and Amanda Jenks are executive producers for Greenacre Films, with Alison Owen and Alison Carpenter exec producing for ITV-backed Monumental Television. Directors on the project are Sebastian Thiel, Darcia Martin and Ajayi, a British screenwriter of Nigerian heritage.

Banijay Rights is handling international distribution on behalf of Greenacre Films. The companies have had a first-look distribution deal since 2019.

tagged in: Abby Ajayi, Amazon Studios, Deborah Ayorinde, Greenacre Films, ITV, Riches