Fun new series from Marcus Liversedge puts aspiring art dealers to the test

Congratulations to Stern & Wild filmmaker Marcus Liversedge, Series Director of a newly announced BBC Arts series presented by Steph McGovern that sees teams of art-curious contestants battle it out in the competitive world of contemporary art dealing for the chance to win a £50,000 prize.

The 6 x 60 min series THE BIG DEAL WITH STEPH MCGOVERN follows seven pairs of amateur dealers as they are challenged to test their skills, from spotting breakthrough artists to building relationships with established ones, wooing potential buyers, and ultimately, securing the sale. They’ll be assessed by art fair director and dealer Cordelia de Freitas, along with guest judges including artist Margo McDaid and curator Matt Carey-Williams.

Steph McGovern says: “This show dispels the myth that the art world is exclusive. I’m buzzing for you to see how our dealers, from all walks of life, get on when we take them into the heart of the art market, and along all the arteries that stem from it, with the ultimate aim of making money!”

The series is produced by Belfast-based Stellify Media for BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Northern Ireland, with support from Northern Ireland Screen. It was co-commissioned by Suzy Klein, Head of BBC Arts and Classical Music TV, and Eddie Doyle, Senior Head of Content Commissioning, BBC Northern Ireland, as part of a Hot House initiative. Exec Producers for Stellify Media are Jo Bishop and Tracie O’Neill.

It will air later this year.