Majorcan based, filmed and backed Sky series nominated for a BAFTA

PALMA
WHEN the Council of Majorca decided to invest 150'000 euros in the production of Sky's four-part drama Mad Dogs, which was based and shot on Majorca, it probably did not realise what the real value of its investment was going to be worth.

The four-part drama series, which features the all-star cast of Max Beesley, Ben Chaplin, Philip Glenister and Marc Warren and John Simm, was yesterday nominated for a BAFTA in the Best Drama Serial category and a second series is already on the drawing board.

When the series was broadcast on Sky 1 HD back in the Spring, it received record audience figures and Mike Day, the managing Director of Palma Pictures, which helped facilitate and produce the series which was shot entirely on the island, said yesterday that he was “delighted.” About to board a flight back to Palma from Gatwick it was the Bulletin which broke the news to him and he was amazed, although not entirely surprised knowing the quality of the cast, crew and writers involved in the production which shot in locations all over the island. “It was a fabulous series and this is fabulous news,” Day added.

The BAFTA nomination is also a breakthrough for Majorca's film industry. The series' mere nomination will have the BAFTA audience's eyes fixed on Majorca when they see the trailers and seriously thinking about the island should Mad Dogs win the gong as a viable film making location just a few hours flight from London.

A goal Palma Pictures and various government departments and commissions have been striving to achieve for the best part of a decade.
During the filming of the first series, there was already talk about shooting a second on the island because of the great locations and the high level of professionalism provided by Palma Pictures, and the producers have had a team of scouts on the island now for the past few weeks, checking out new locations with the view of shooting the second series on the island.

Day admitted that nothing has been signed but the Bulletin understands that it could be just a matter of days before a deal is struck.
Film and TV locations strongly influence people's holiday choices, according to the Association of British Travel Agents, so, the Council of Majorca spent their money well.