Country House Auction premieres on More4 Tuesday 13 August
Date Posted: August 6, 2024
Newry-based Big Mountain Productions four-part prime Channel 4 series Country House Auction, part funded by Northern Ireland Screen & Tourism Ireland, premieres on More 4 Tuesday 13th August at 9pm.
The series was co-funded by Northern Ireland Screen & Tourism Ireland.
Running every Tuesday through August, all four episodes drop on channel4.com
The independent production company answered a brief from Head of Channel 4 Lifestyle, Jo Street and Northern Ireland Screen Unscripted Content Manager, Jennifer Johnston
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said; “Last year we entered a partnership with Channel 4 to support and grow the production sector in Northern Ireland. The More4 Northern Ireland scheme was designed to find a new returnable commission for a local indie.
Set in the bucolic backdrop of one of Ireland & UK’s most stunning country estates Castle Durrow, centred on one of Ireland’s leading country house auction specialists Sheppards; this new format shares all of the suspense and excitement of a live auction with an exploration of the social history and cultural significance of some rare and beautiful artifacts.
Each episode of Country House Auction will follow a selection of unique and one-of-a-kind items as they are brought to auction from stately home clearances, castles or private collections. Past owners and prospective rival buyers will share why the objects are so important to them as antiques experts will offer their view on the value and significance of each item.
Jane Kelly said, “We are thrilled to bring Country House Auction to life for C4 viewers and look forward to making it a returning brand for the channel, for the company and for the sector here in Northern Ireland. We applaud Northern Ireland Screen and C4 for the More4NI initiative and for creating business opportunities that tap the enormous creativity and ambition here”.
Clemency Green said of the commission, “This brilliant new series gives us all the chance to learn about some uniquely special items, and the secrets they reveal about our past, whilst also offering viewers the chance to see the thrill of the auction in a glorious setting. The series offers viewers the chance to learn more about antiques and the shrewd and colourful characters; sellers, experts and buyers along the way. I am so pleased to be working with Big Mountain on this exciting new format.”
The four-part series Country House Auction was commissioned for Channel 4 by Senior Commissioning Editor, Clemency Green with Head of Lifestyle, Jo Street. Jane Kelly and Philip McGovern are Executive Producers for Big Mountain.
