Seven Arts Entertainment has announced a joint venture with Prodigy Pictures for the production and distribution of series and miniseries made for initial television exhibition.

The initial fruit of the joint venture includes Johnny Mnemonic, a futuristic television series based on the cult classic movie starring Keanu Reeves, adapted from a short story by celebrated science-fiction author William Gibson.

Romeo Spy meanwhile is an event miniseries based on the true story of John Symonds, a British police officer who was recruited by the KGB as part of its Romeo Spy programme after been wrongfully convicted of fraud charges.

Storyville, a period television series conceived by Sherri Strain and based on the real events surrounding the first legalised prostitution in the United States in New Orleans between 1887 and 1917, will cover the heady period which saw the birth of modern jazz.

"We are delighted to expand our relationship with Prodigy Pictures, which has had stellar successes in television and mini-series production," said Seven Arts' CEO Peter Hoffman. "Jay [Firestone, producer, has been] prominent in the area of international television production for more than 20 years, with a wide array of important relationships. Jay shares our enthusiasm for all three projects. He has already attached well-known television writers who were part of the successful Stargate series to Johnny Mnemonic."