Channel 4 explores the rise and fall of the world’s biggest porn star, Ron Jeremy, in two-part documentary series from Argonon’s BriteSpark Films

21 September 2021

Ron Jeremy was an American porn legend who crossed over into the mainstream. He became an icon who rubbed shoulders with Hollywood stars and performed in more than 2,500 films. But in August this year, Jeremy was indicted in an LA court for 30 counts of rape and sexual assault, against 21 women.

As Ron Jeremy awaits trial, a new two-part documentary series, Downfall of the Porn King: The Ron Jeremy Story (w/t) from BriteSpark Films (part of Argonon) will explore the rise and fall of a man known around the world as the unlikely king of porn. With exclusive access to some of his alleged victims, key industry players and archive, the series will reveal the inside story of a world that most people know little about.

Looking back over four decades at an industry that has been transformed by the internet, the series will show how the porn industry has evolved from the ‘Boogie Nights’ era of the 80s to Porn Hub and Only Fans today. Now at a tipping point post #MeToo, performers in the porn industry are no longer afraid to stand up for their rights and finally feel empowered to speak out against one of the most powerful men in porn.

The series was commissioned by Channel 4 factual senior commissioning editor Anna Miralis and will be produced by BriteSpark Films (part of Argonon) with executive producers Nick Godwin and Tom Porter, producer Lisa Charles and director Storm Theunissen. International sales will be handled by Abacus Media Rights.

Anna Miralis said: “The access BriteSpark have gained to major players in this story will make the series a compelling watch. The porn industry is having to find a way to work in our post #MeToo world, but with a dark and complicated past it will be fascinating to explore through the eyes of many women involved in the industry.” 

Nick Godwin added: “The case against Ron Jeremy offers an unrivalled opportunity to explore the dark side of porn over 40 years and we’re hugely grateful to the industry insiders who are helping us tell this compelling and timely story.”

 

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About BriteSpark Films

BriteSpark Films is an award-winning production company co-founded in 2013 by Creative Director Nick Godwin in partnership with Argonon, who fully acquired the indie in 2018.    Former Channel 4 Commissioning Editor Tom Porter joined the company in 2019 as Director of Programmes. Headquartered in London and East England, BriteSpark has produced over 100 hours of distinctive and innovative programming for broadcasters, networks and streamers across the world, in the genres of popular factual, documentary, observational documentary, current affairs, factual entertainment and features. Their diverse programming slate includes multiple hard-hitting commissions for the iconic current affairs strand Dispatches (Channel 4) including the Prince and the Paedophile, Royals for Hire and Deep Fakes: Can You Trust Your Eyes and Coronavirus:  How Britain is Changing.  Recent series commissions include World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys; World’s Most Scenic River Journeys (both Channel 5) and Engineering Catastrophes (Science Channel).  Further commissions include Diamond Geezers and Gold Dealers (ITV); Banged Up: Teens Behind Bars (Channel 4); Left for Dead; Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords (both Channel 5) and Welcome to Murdertown and Handsome Devils (both Investigation Discovery).

 

About Argonon

Founded in 2011 by CEO James Burstall, Argonon is the world’s first hyper-converged superindie, with labels producing content including The Masked Singer UK (ITV1), Worzel Gummidge (BBC One), Dispatches (Channel 4) and House Hunters International (HGTV). Headquartered in London, New York and LA with further offices in Liverpool and Glasgow, Argonon is an independent production group led by a board of creatives and entrepreneurs including James Burstall (CEO), Laura Bessell (COO) and David Dugan (Chairman, Windfall Films). The group consists of eight companies producing multi award-winning content for a wide range of major broadcasters, platforms and brands in the UK, US and across the world. The companies produce content across all genres and of all lengths, specialising in factual, factual entertainment, entertainment, drama, arts, comedy, and children’s programming.  Argonon has won 120 awards including Emmys, BAFTAs and RTS Awards and received over 180 nominations. Argonon is made up of Leopard Pictures, Leopard USA, Windfall Films, BriteSpark Films, Bandicoot, Like A Shot, Studio Leo and Nemorin. Clients include BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, Discovery, Nat Geo, Facebook Watch, PBS, HGTV, A&E and UKTV to Credit Suisse, American Express, McDonald’s, Hugo Boss, My Single Friend, Net-a-Porter and Nationwide. 

 

About Abacus Media Rights

Abacus Media Rights (AMR) acquires and distributes a diverse slate of premium, multi-genre programming in the international market. At the same time, the company also works with producers to facilitate pre-sales and development finance as well as broadcaster commissions.

Embracing a fully transparent reporting ethos throughout, AMR focuses on building strong client relationships and generating positive solutions at every stage of the process, from initial financing to worldwide broadcast in order to successfully deliver scripted and non-scripted entertainment that counts to a global audience.

Abacus Media Rights is a member of the Amcomri Media Group.

Further details: www.abacusmediarights.com  Twitter: @abacus_rights