Starz has joined Channel 4's drama series "Maya" as a co-production partner, expanding the premium cable network's footprint in British television. The series stars Bella Ramsey, fresh off her acclaimed role in HBO's "The Last of Us," alongside Tobias Menzies from "Outlander." Daisy Haggard created the project and appears in the cast as well.
The drama centers on a mother-daughter relationship caught in witness protection, though details remain sparse. Haggard's involvement carries particular weight in British television circles. She has built a reputation as both performer and creator across acclaimed shows like "Fleabag" and "Back to Life," lending credibility to the venture.
This partnership reflects Starz's ongoing strategy to secure international prestige content. The premium cable network, owned by Paramount, has increasingly invested in British dramas to compete with streaming giants like Netflix and the BBC's own distribution arms. Channel 4, the UK's public broadcaster, continues producing ambitious drama that attracts transatlantic partners.
Ramsey's participation signals how quickly young actors can leverage breakout roles into premium projects. Her performance in "The Last of Us" generated significant awards buzz and elevated her profile considerably. Menzies brings proven dramatic weight from years on "Outlander," the Starz-distributed time-travel epic that demonstrated the network's appetite for prestige period and character-driven work.
The casting combination suggests "Maya" aims for the prestigious domestic drama space that shows like "Bodyguard" and "The Fall" have occupied in recent years. British dramas about ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances have proven durable on the international market, particularly when they balance tension with intimate character work.
Production details and premiere dates remain unannounced, though the Starz partnership typically accelerates timeline and budget considerations for Channel 4 productions.