Breakthrough Films and Television has struck a deal with European distributor Free Dolphin for the broadcast and DVD rights to Shadow Island Mysteries, which has passed the forthcoming whodunit to broadcasters in France, Italy and Spain.

TF1 in France, Italy’s Mediaset and Telecinco in Spain have all reportedly prebought the property, which is due to shoot this fall in Ontario’s Muskoka region.

‘With this current economic climate, there is a return to the traditional TV movie, with strong characters and mystery storylines,’ said Marina Cordoni, head of the recently beefed-up MOW division at Breakthrough. ‘I am pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with Free Dolphin.’

The 90-minute show, announced last year as the first in a trilogy, centers on a woman who splits her time between solving crimes and managing an upper-crust island resort.