BBC Buys HBO Max Thriller ‘Spy/Master’
The BBC has acquired HBO Max thriller Spy/Master as it continues to beef up its iPlayer offering. Acquired from Warner Bros. Discovery, the show stars Happy Valley’s Alec Secăreanu as the most trusted advisor to Romanian President Nicolae Ceaușescu. With his government poised to uncover that he’s a secret agent for the Soviets, Godeanu uses a diplomatic trip to Germany as a springboard to defect to the U.S. The series also stars Aidan McArdle, Ana Ularu (Who Is Erin Carter?), Laurențiu Bănescu (Boss), Andreea Vasile (Umbre), Nico Mirallegro (Our Girl), lulian Postelnicu (Arest) and Elvira Deatcu (Clanul). “A classic spy drama set at the height of the Cold War, Spy/Master is an atmospheric, complex thriller, dripping with style and suspense,” said Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition. The show was nominated for the inaugural...
The BBC has acquired HBO Max thriller Spy/Master as it continues to beef up its iPlayer offering. Acquired from Warner Bros. Discovery, the show stars Happy Valley’s Alec Secăreanu as the most trusted advisor to Romanian President Nicolae Ceaușescu. With his government poised to uncover that he’s a secret agent for the Soviets, Godeanu uses a diplomatic trip to Germany as a springboard to defect to the U.S. The series also stars Aidan McArdle, Ana Ularu (Who Is Erin Carter?), Laurențiu Bănescu (Boss), Andreea Vasile (Umbre), Nico Mirallegro (Our Girl), lulian Postelnicu (Arest) and Elvira Deatcu (Clanul). “A classic spy drama set at the height of the Cold War, Spy/Master is an atmospheric, complex thriller, dripping with style and suspense,” said Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition. The show was nominated for the inaugural...
- 3/27/2024
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Season two of the HBO Original drama series “30 Coins” is set to premiere in October. The highly anticipated second season, consisting of eight episodes, will be broadcast on HBO and available for streaming on Max.
In this new season, the story unfolds in Pedraza, a secluded town in Spain plagued by unexplainable and demonic occurrences. Many residents have lost their sanity and are confined to a psychiatric hospital. Elena, played by Megan Montaner, remains in a comatose state in a hospital bed in Madrid, while Paco, portrayed by Miguel Ángel Silvestre, grapples with remorse as he takes care of her. As the horror escalates, our group of heroes must confront a mysterious and sinister new adversary, portrayed by Paul Giamatti, who is so wicked that even the devil fears him.
Joining the cast for season two are Paul Giamatti and Najwa Nimri. The returning cast includes Eduard Fernández, Megan Montaner,...
In this new season, the story unfolds in Pedraza, a secluded town in Spain plagued by unexplainable and demonic occurrences. Many residents have lost their sanity and are confined to a psychiatric hospital. Elena, played by Megan Montaner, remains in a comatose state in a hospital bed in Madrid, while Paco, portrayed by Miguel Ángel Silvestre, grapples with remorse as he takes care of her. As the horror escalates, our group of heroes must confront a mysterious and sinister new adversary, portrayed by Paul Giamatti, who is so wicked that even the devil fears him.
Joining the cast for season two are Paul Giamatti and Najwa Nimri. The returning cast includes Eduard Fernández, Megan Montaner,...
- 7/20/2023
- by TV Shows Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
Max Original international series Spy/Master debuts Friday, May 19 with the first two episodes, which had their world premiere at Berlin Film Festival’s Berlinale Series in February. Created by Adina Sădeanu and Kirsten Peters, the six-part espionage drama series starring Alec Secăreanu continues with one new episode debuting weekly leading up to the season finale on June 16.
Logline: Spy/Master is set during the height of the Cold War and covers a week in the life of fictional character Victor Godeanu, played by Secăreanu, the right-hand man and closest advisor to Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. However, Godeanu is also a secret agent for the Kgb and must escape Romania and Ceaușescu before his cover is blown. With only one shot at staying alive, he uses a diplomatic trip to Germany as a springboard to the United States. Helped by an undercover Stasi agent and former flame played by Svenja Jung (“Deutschland...
Logline: Spy/Master is set during the height of the Cold War and covers a week in the life of fictional character Victor Godeanu, played by Secăreanu, the right-hand man and closest advisor to Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. However, Godeanu is also a secret agent for the Kgb and must escape Romania and Ceaușescu before his cover is blown. With only one shot at staying alive, he uses a diplomatic trip to Germany as a springboard to the United States. Helped by an undercover Stasi agent and former flame played by Svenja Jung (“Deutschland...
- 4/19/2023
- by Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
Exec has spent 11 years leading original programming for HBO Europe and HBO Max Emea.
Veteran HBO Europe programming boss Antony Root is to retire from his role at Warner Bros. Discovery at the end of March 2023.
Root has spent 11 years leading leading original programming and production for HBO Europe and later HBO Max Emea.
News of his departure comes six months after Warner. Bros Discovery announced it was reviewing its streaming operations in Europe as it looked to combine HBO Max and discovery+ into one service. It is no longer producing originals for HBO Max out in the Nordics, Central Europe,...
Veteran HBO Europe programming boss Antony Root is to retire from his role at Warner Bros. Discovery at the end of March 2023.
Root has spent 11 years leading leading original programming and production for HBO Europe and later HBO Max Emea.
News of his departure comes six months after Warner. Bros Discovery announced it was reviewing its streaming operations in Europe as it looked to combine HBO Max and discovery+ into one service. It is no longer producing originals for HBO Max out in the Nordics, Central Europe,...
- 1/18/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
HBO Europe veteran Antony Root is set to leave Warner Bros. Discovery at the end of March after 11 years spearheading original programming across the continent.
Root has commissioned and overseen more than 1,000 episodes of original premium programming across scripted, documentaries and unscripted for HBO Europe and HBO Max streaming services. The executive was a champion of European originals long before pushing into local production became in vogue among studios and streamers.
Some of his top local originals include “The Pack” and “Blinded by the Lights” in Poland; “Burning Bush” and “Wasteland” in Czechia; “Golden Life” in Hungary; the Oscar-nominated documentary “Collective” in Romania; “Patria” and “30 Coins” in Spain; and “Beartown,” “Beforeigners” and “Kamikaze” in the Nordics.
While there has been extensive restructuring of Warner Bros. Discovery operations since the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger last year — including a significant rejig of international — Variety understands that Root had long-standing plans to retire from Wbd,...
Root has commissioned and overseen more than 1,000 episodes of original premium programming across scripted, documentaries and unscripted for HBO Europe and HBO Max streaming services. The executive was a champion of European originals long before pushing into local production became in vogue among studios and streamers.
Some of his top local originals include “The Pack” and “Blinded by the Lights” in Poland; “Burning Bush” and “Wasteland” in Czechia; “Golden Life” in Hungary; the Oscar-nominated documentary “Collective” in Romania; “Patria” and “30 Coins” in Spain; and “Beartown,” “Beforeigners” and “Kamikaze” in the Nordics.
While there has been extensive restructuring of Warner Bros. Discovery operations since the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger last year — including a significant rejig of international — Variety understands that Root had long-standing plans to retire from Wbd,...
- 1/18/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Antony Root, executive vp, original programming and production at HBO Max Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea), is leaving the Warner Bros. Discovery unit at the end of the first quarter, the company said on Wednesday.
“After 11 hugely successful and award-winning years leading original programming and production for HBO Europe and later HBO Max Emea, executive vp Antony Root today confirmed he will retire from his role at Warner Bros. Discovery at the end of March 2023,” the company said.
During his tenure, Root has commissioned and overseen “more than 1,000 episodes of original premium programming across scripted, documentaries and unscripted,” it noted. “In addition to supporting the growth of the HBO and HBO Max streaming services in Europe, many productions received national and international award recognition, including The Pack and Blinded by the Lights in Poland; Burning Bush and Wasteland in Czechia; Golden Life in Hungary; the Oscar-nominated documentary Collective in...
“After 11 hugely successful and award-winning years leading original programming and production for HBO Europe and later HBO Max Emea, executive vp Antony Root today confirmed he will retire from his role at Warner Bros. Discovery at the end of March 2023,” the company said.
During his tenure, Root has commissioned and overseen “more than 1,000 episodes of original premium programming across scripted, documentaries and unscripted,” it noted. “In addition to supporting the growth of the HBO and HBO Max streaming services in Europe, many productions received national and international award recognition, including The Pack and Blinded by the Lights in Poland; Burning Bush and Wasteland in Czechia; Golden Life in Hungary; the Oscar-nominated documentary Collective in...
- 1/18/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Antony Root, the long-serving HBO Max Emea original programming chief, is to exit his role at Warner Bros. Discovery (Wbd) and retire from the industry.
Root will leave his post at the end of March ahead of the launch of the merged HBO Max and Discovery+ streaming service.
Root has spent 11 years as Executive Vice President of HBO Europe and later HBO Max Emea after joining from Sony Pictures Television.
Last year, his originals team were halted in their tracks when Wbd decided HBO Max would stop ordering shows in most of Europe – a decision one source described as “the end of an era.”
Most of Root’s European commissioning and production team were later let go, as Deadline revealed in August, but he stayed on. Deadline hears he has been travelling extensively in recent months to visit the remaining local staff. Wbd did not discuss succession plans.
Long Career...
Root will leave his post at the end of March ahead of the launch of the merged HBO Max and Discovery+ streaming service.
Root has spent 11 years as Executive Vice President of HBO Europe and later HBO Max Emea after joining from Sony Pictures Television.
Last year, his originals team were halted in their tracks when Wbd decided HBO Max would stop ordering shows in most of Europe – a decision one source described as “the end of an era.”
Most of Root’s European commissioning and production team were later let go, as Deadline revealed in August, but he stayed on. Deadline hears he has been travelling extensively in recent months to visit the remaining local staff. Wbd did not discuss succession plans.
Long Career...
- 1/18/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The streamer is laying off nearly 30 members of European original programming teams.
Warner Bros Discovery is laying off 29 people in Europe over the next 15 months as part of its move to phase out HBO Max original programming for the region.
Top executives affected, the company confirmed, include Johnathan Young, HBO Max Emea’s vice president of original programming and production for Central and Eastern Europe; Christian Wikander, vice president and commissioning editor of original programming for the Nordics; and Annelies Sitvast, head of unscripted original production.
The remaining layoffs are expected to come from those executives’ teams.
Antony Root, HBO...
Warner Bros Discovery is laying off 29 people in Europe over the next 15 months as part of its move to phase out HBO Max original programming for the region.
Top executives affected, the company confirmed, include Johnathan Young, HBO Max Emea’s vice president of original programming and production for Central and Eastern Europe; Christian Wikander, vice president and commissioning editor of original programming for the Nordics; and Annelies Sitvast, head of unscripted original production.
The remaining layoffs are expected to come from those executives’ teams.
Antony Root, HBO...
- 8/25/2022
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
The streamer is laying off nearly 30 members of European original programming teams.
Warner Bros Discovery is laying off 29 people in Europe over the next 15 months as part of its move to phase out HBO Max original programming for the region.
Top executives affected, the company confirmed, include Johnathan Young, HBO Max Emea’s vice president of original programming and production for Central and Eastern Europe; Christian Wikander, vice president and commissioning editor of original programming for the Nordics; and Annelies Sitvast, head of unscripted original production.
The remaining layoffs are expected to come from those executives’ teams.
Antony Root, HBO...
Warner Bros Discovery is laying off 29 people in Europe over the next 15 months as part of its move to phase out HBO Max original programming for the region.
Top executives affected, the company confirmed, include Johnathan Young, HBO Max Emea’s vice president of original programming and production for Central and Eastern Europe; Christian Wikander, vice president and commissioning editor of original programming for the Nordics; and Annelies Sitvast, head of unscripted original production.
The remaining layoffs are expected to come from those executives’ teams.
Antony Root, HBO...
- 8/25/2022
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
The streamer is laying off nearly 30 members of European original programming teams.
Warner Bros Discovery is laying off 29 people in Europe over the next 15 months as part of its move to phase out HBO Max original programming for the region, according to reports.
Top executives affected are thought to include Johnathan Young, HBO Max Emea’s vice president of original programming and production for Central and Eastern Europe; Christian Wikander, vice president and commissioning editor of original programming for the Nordics; and Annelies Sitvast, head of unscripted original production.
The remaining layoffs are expected to come from those executives’ teams.
Warner Bros Discovery is laying off 29 people in Europe over the next 15 months as part of its move to phase out HBO Max original programming for the region, according to reports.
Top executives affected are thought to include Johnathan Young, HBO Max Emea’s vice president of original programming and production for Central and Eastern Europe; Christian Wikander, vice president and commissioning editor of original programming for the Nordics; and Annelies Sitvast, head of unscripted original production.
The remaining layoffs are expected to come from those executives’ teams.
- 8/25/2022
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Click here to read the full article.
Warner Bros. Discovery has taken the axe to its European staff, chopping 29 jobs in Europe, among them top programming positions, Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed Thursday.
Among the executives on the way out are Johnathan Young, vp, original programming and production at HBO Max Emea (Europe, Middle East and Africa); Christian Wikander, vp and commissioning editor of original programming for the Nordic region; and Annelies Sitvast, who heads up the studios’ unscripted original programming slate. Mia Edde, who joined Wbd last year to run content acquisitions for Turkey, has already left.
The rest of the 29 employees, all of whom will be leaving Wbd over the next 15 months, come from these executives’ teams.
The cuts were expected following the merger of Discovery and Warner Bros. and the announcement by studio boss David Zaslav that the company was looking to find 3 billion in savings across its global business.
Warner Bros. Discovery has taken the axe to its European staff, chopping 29 jobs in Europe, among them top programming positions, Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed Thursday.
Among the executives on the way out are Johnathan Young, vp, original programming and production at HBO Max Emea (Europe, Middle East and Africa); Christian Wikander, vp and commissioning editor of original programming for the Nordic region; and Annelies Sitvast, who heads up the studios’ unscripted original programming slate. Mia Edde, who joined Wbd last year to run content acquisitions for Turkey, has already left.
The rest of the 29 employees, all of whom will be leaving Wbd over the next 15 months, come from these executives’ teams.
The cuts were expected following the merger of Discovery and Warner Bros. and the announcement by studio boss David Zaslav that the company was looking to find 3 billion in savings across its global business.
- 8/25/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Discovery is laying off 29 people in Europe over the next 15 months as it shifts its originals model for HBO Max, Variety has confirmed.
Variety was first to report in July of HBO Max’s decision to retreat from original programming in a number of European markets, and warn of layoffs within the programming team.
Under the new model, Warner Bros. Discovery will continue to invest in local European commissions and acquisitions but original programming will be handled by the local linear and streaming teams. No shows will be commissioned solely for streaming.
The executives departing the company include Jonathan Young, VP original programming and production for Emea; Christian Wikander, VP and commissioning editor of original programming, Nordics; and Annelies Sitvast, head of unscripted original production.
Mia Edde, executive director of content acquisitions in Turkey, has already left.
Those who are set to remain at the company are Antony Root,...
Variety was first to report in July of HBO Max’s decision to retreat from original programming in a number of European markets, and warn of layoffs within the programming team.
Under the new model, Warner Bros. Discovery will continue to invest in local European commissions and acquisitions but original programming will be handled by the local linear and streaming teams. No shows will be commissioned solely for streaming.
The executives departing the company include Jonathan Young, VP original programming and production for Emea; Christian Wikander, VP and commissioning editor of original programming, Nordics; and Annelies Sitvast, head of unscripted original production.
Mia Edde, executive director of content acquisitions in Turkey, has already left.
Those who are set to remain at the company are Antony Root,...
- 8/25/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Warner Bros. Discovery is letting go of 29 staff in Europe, including key programming execs, as it moves to phase out HBO Max European originals and shift towards a new local commissioning model, Deadline can reveal.
Among the top level execs leaving the business are HBO Max Emea VP Original Programming and Production Cee Johnathan Young; VP and Commissioning Editor of Original Programming, Nordics Christian Wikander; and Head of Unscripted Original Production Annelies Sitvast. Mia Edde, who joined last year as Executive Director, Content Acquisitions in Turkey has already left.
In total, 29 will depart over the next 15 months, with the other departures coming from the teams of the exiting executives.
Deadline understands Wbd will continue to invest in local commissions and acquisitions in Europe, but that original programming responsibilities will now be handled by the company’s local linear and streaming teams, and no commissions will be made purely for streaming.
Among the top level execs leaving the business are HBO Max Emea VP Original Programming and Production Cee Johnathan Young; VP and Commissioning Editor of Original Programming, Nordics Christian Wikander; and Head of Unscripted Original Production Annelies Sitvast. Mia Edde, who joined last year as Executive Director, Content Acquisitions in Turkey has already left.
In total, 29 will depart over the next 15 months, with the other departures coming from the teams of the exiting executives.
Deadline understands Wbd will continue to invest in local commissions and acquisitions in Europe, but that original programming responsibilities will now be handled by the company’s local linear and streaming teams, and no commissions will be made purely for streaming.
- 8/25/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros Discovery left Spain out of its clampdown on European original programs for HBO Max, and has now doubled down on the country by ordering a soccer comedy there.
Production is underway in Madrid on Playing Dirty (Monos con Pistola) The seven-part series comes from Jorge Valdano Sáenz and Pablo Tébar and is based on an idea from Carolina Bang and Álex de la Iglesia, whose drama 30 Coins is one HBO Max Europe’s most high-profile originals. The series is produced by Bang and de la Iglesia’s Pokeepsie Films, which is part of Banijay Iberia.
Playing Dirty follows the life of soccer agent Alberto Martín Ruiz, otherwise known as ‘Beto,’ as he leaves the comfortable life of working at a large soccer agency to go it alone and start his own venture. Navigating between his daily delirious struggle with soccer players and his stressful family life, his only solace is his girlfriend,...
Production is underway in Madrid on Playing Dirty (Monos con Pistola) The seven-part series comes from Jorge Valdano Sáenz and Pablo Tébar and is based on an idea from Carolina Bang and Álex de la Iglesia, whose drama 30 Coins is one HBO Max Europe’s most high-profile originals. The series is produced by Bang and de la Iglesia’s Pokeepsie Films, which is part of Banijay Iberia.
Playing Dirty follows the life of soccer agent Alberto Martín Ruiz, otherwise known as ‘Beto,’ as he leaves the comfortable life of working at a large soccer agency to go it alone and start his own venture. Navigating between his daily delirious struggle with soccer players and his stressful family life, his only solace is his girlfriend,...
- 8/23/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Streaming
HBO Max has revealed the first teaser for Max original “García!” (6 x 60′), which will have its world premiere at Austin’s Fantastic Fest in September and European premiere at Sitges.
Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Santiago García and Luis Bustos, the series is set in a present-day Spain, which is divided and on the brink of political chaos. It follows an inquisitive millennial investigative reporter Antonia (Veki Velilla) who stumbles on a decades-old conspiracy: the existence of a cryogenically frozen super-agent, García (Francisco Ortiz), created in a laboratory in the 1950s by General Franco’s fascist secret services. After sixty years in deep sleep, this perfect soldier with incredible physical strength, programmed to obey orders without question, is woken by Antonia. García finds himself disoriented and confused in a Spain that has changed beyond recognition. The old-world collides with the new as García and...
HBO Max has revealed the first teaser for Max original “García!” (6 x 60′), which will have its world premiere at Austin’s Fantastic Fest in September and European premiere at Sitges.
Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Santiago García and Luis Bustos, the series is set in a present-day Spain, which is divided and on the brink of political chaos. It follows an inquisitive millennial investigative reporter Antonia (Veki Velilla) who stumbles on a decades-old conspiracy: the existence of a cryogenically frozen super-agent, García (Francisco Ortiz), created in a laboratory in the 1950s by General Franco’s fascist secret services. After sixty years in deep sleep, this perfect soldier with incredible physical strength, programmed to obey orders without question, is woken by Antonia. García finds himself disoriented and confused in a Spain that has changed beyond recognition. The old-world collides with the new as García and...
- 8/17/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery’s European operation continues to take shape, with Hannes Heyelmann today unveiling his German management team. The shake-up sees the departure of Discovery Communications Deutschland Deputy Managing Director Alberto Horta.
Heyelmann, a long-time Warner exec who has overseen original content production in Germany for the company for several years, was named EVP and General Manager of Warner Bros. Discovery Germany, Switzerland and Austria in June and has set his top team soon after Antonio Ruiz revealed his line-up of UK and Ireland execs.
Notable posts go to Marion Rathmann (free-tv and pay entertainment channels and streaming programming), Magdalena Prosteder (cinema productions chief) and Anke Greifeneder (original production for Warner TV channels and HBO Max). See below for the full line-up.
“In the past few weeks I have been working on the future strategy for Warner Bros. Discovery in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, including the formation of the management team for our region,...
Heyelmann, a long-time Warner exec who has overseen original content production in Germany for the company for several years, was named EVP and General Manager of Warner Bros. Discovery Germany, Switzerland and Austria in June and has set his top team soon after Antonio Ruiz revealed his line-up of UK and Ireland execs.
Notable posts go to Marion Rathmann (free-tv and pay entertainment channels and streaming programming), Magdalena Prosteder (cinema productions chief) and Anke Greifeneder (original production for Warner TV channels and HBO Max). See below for the full line-up.
“In the past few weeks I have been working on the future strategy for Warner Bros. Discovery in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, including the formation of the management team for our region,...
- 8/9/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The future of HBO Max’s European originals team has appeared bleak ever since it emerged Warner Bros Discovery was stopping production in the continent, and it now looks to be facing the end.
Most of the unit, overseen by Emea content chief Antony Root, are understood to be in talks over their futures, though several productions from the unit will continue across Europe in coming months. All staff will either have exited or be redeployed in coming months, with Root’s future unclear.
Sources say almost all European shows in development have now been scrapped, while some are understood to have been stopped just before they went into production in Eastern Europe.
For example, Romanian unscripted show One True Singer’s second season has been canceled, having been set to start shooting this month, while scripted series Ruxx season two is also gone. In other parts of Europe, several...
Most of the unit, overseen by Emea content chief Antony Root, are understood to be in talks over their futures, though several productions from the unit will continue across Europe in coming months. All staff will either have exited or be redeployed in coming months, with Root’s future unclear.
Sources say almost all European shows in development have now been scrapped, while some are understood to have been stopped just before they went into production in Eastern Europe.
For example, Romanian unscripted show One True Singer’s second season has been canceled, having been set to start shooting this month, while scripted series Ruxx season two is also gone. In other parts of Europe, several...
- 7/22/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Job cuts are expected at HBO Max Europe following a major strategic review that will see development of local originals halted in the Nordics and Central Europe.
The move comes as the Warner Bros. Discovery merger gathers pace and the outfit seeks £3B worth of savings within two years, with HBO Max set to be combined with Discovery+.
Deadline understands jobs at HBO Max Europe are at risk following the review, which will also see nascent development activities in the Netherlands and Turkey halted after less than a year. The details regarding potential redundancies are still being ironed out.
Shows in production or post-production in the Nordics, Central Europe and the Netherlands are being reviewed. Hits to have already emerged from the region include the likes of Denmark’s Kamikaze (pictured) and Sweden’s Lust.
Of the territories in which HBO Max has a footprint, only Spain and France are not impacted by the review.
The move comes as the Warner Bros. Discovery merger gathers pace and the outfit seeks £3B worth of savings within two years, with HBO Max set to be combined with Discovery+.
Deadline understands jobs at HBO Max Europe are at risk following the review, which will also see nascent development activities in the Netherlands and Turkey halted after less than a year. The details regarding potential redundancies are still being ironed out.
Shows in production or post-production in the Nordics, Central Europe and the Netherlands are being reviewed. Hits to have already emerged from the region include the likes of Denmark’s Kamikaze (pictured) and Sweden’s Lust.
Of the territories in which HBO Max has a footprint, only Spain and France are not impacted by the review.
- 7/4/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery’s post-merger growing pains and an eye-watering 3 billion cost-savings target are hitting its programming strategy in Europe, Variety can reveal.
As the media conglomerate looks to recalibrate its streaming priorities, it will no longer produce originals for HBO Max in the Nordics, Central Europe, the Netherlands and Turkey, and will also remove some content from its platform in order to free up licensing deals elsewhere.
In a statement shared with Variety, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. Discovery said:
“As we continue to work on combining HBO Max and discovery+ into one global streaming service showcasing the breadth of content across Warner Bros. Discovery, we are reviewing our current content proposition on the existing services. As part of this process, we have decided to remove a limited amount of original programming from HBO Max, as well as ceasing our original programming efforts for HBO Max in the Nordics and Central Europe.
As the media conglomerate looks to recalibrate its streaming priorities, it will no longer produce originals for HBO Max in the Nordics, Central Europe, the Netherlands and Turkey, and will also remove some content from its platform in order to free up licensing deals elsewhere.
In a statement shared with Variety, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. Discovery said:
“As we continue to work on combining HBO Max and discovery+ into one global streaming service showcasing the breadth of content across Warner Bros. Discovery, we are reviewing our current content proposition on the existing services. As part of this process, we have decided to remove a limited amount of original programming from HBO Max, as well as ceasing our original programming efforts for HBO Max in the Nordics and Central Europe.
- 7/4/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Paul Giamatti has joined the cast of 30 Coins, the Spanish mystery horror series that premiered on HBO Max in 2020 and was renewed for a second season in February. The eight-part Season 2 is now in production in Spain, Italy, the U.S., France and the UK, with a 2023 premiere date planned on HBO Max worldwide and on HBO in the U.S.
The series, which hails from Álex de la Iglesia who directs and co-writes with Jorge Guerricaechevarría, centers on Father Vergara, an exorcist, boxer and ex-convict, who is exiled by the church to a remote town in Spain. He becomes linked to a series of mysterious paranormal events in the village, and with Paco, the town’s naive mayor, and Elena, a restless veterinarian, they become caught up in a global conspiracy: a battle for control of the 30 silver coins paid to the apostle Judas Iscariot for the betrayal...
The series, which hails from Álex de la Iglesia who directs and co-writes with Jorge Guerricaechevarría, centers on Father Vergara, an exorcist, boxer and ex-convict, who is exiled by the church to a remote town in Spain. He becomes linked to a series of mysterious paranormal events in the village, and with Paco, the town’s naive mayor, and Elena, a restless veterinarian, they become caught up in a global conspiracy: a battle for control of the 30 silver coins paid to the apostle Judas Iscariot for the betrayal...
- 6/23/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Appointment comes as Priya Dogra sets Emea leadership team.
Discovery Iberia and France chief Antonio Ruiz is to head up Warmer Bros Discovery’s UK operations as part of Priya Dogra’s Emea leadership reshuffle.
Ruiz will oversee Wbd’s combined businesses in the UK and Ireland, working closely with the newly-merged company’s global operations across streaming, sport, US programming, and its studio unit.
His remit will include steering the company’s networks and streamers, leading marketing and monetising efforts for US content via theatrical distribution, licensing, consumer products, games and home entertainment, and developing strategies to drive growth in his territories.
Discovery Iberia and France chief Antonio Ruiz is to head up Warmer Bros Discovery’s UK operations as part of Priya Dogra’s Emea leadership reshuffle.
Ruiz will oversee Wbd’s combined businesses in the UK and Ireland, working closely with the newly-merged company’s global operations across streaming, sport, US programming, and its studio unit.
His remit will include steering the company’s networks and streamers, leading marketing and monetising efforts for US content via theatrical distribution, licensing, consumer products, games and home entertainment, and developing strategies to drive growth in his territories.
- 6/9/2022
- by John Elmes Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Warner Bros. Discovery has officially laid out its senior Emea leadership team under President and Managing for the region (excl Poland) Priya Dogra.
She unveiled the new-look structure today, revealing how local territory chiefs will feed into her centralized Emea operation. Five senior execs — including former Country Managers Sylvia Rothblum, Susanne Aigner and Thomas Ciampa — are stepping down at the same time.
Each territory manager will be responsible for Warner Bros. Discovery’s combined businesses in their respective territories, working closely with the company’s global functions across streaming, sport, US programming and the Warner Bros Discovery studio.
The team is as follows, in alphabetical order:
Alessandro Araimo becomes General Manager, Italy, Spain and Portugal. He was previously EVP and General Manager for Discovery in Italy. Pierre Branco becomes General Manager, France, Benelux and Africa. He was previously Country Manager for WarnerMedia in France, Benelux, Middle East and Africa and...
She unveiled the new-look structure today, revealing how local territory chiefs will feed into her centralized Emea operation. Five senior execs — including former Country Managers Sylvia Rothblum, Susanne Aigner and Thomas Ciampa — are stepping down at the same time.
Each territory manager will be responsible for Warner Bros. Discovery’s combined businesses in their respective territories, working closely with the company’s global functions across streaming, sport, US programming and the Warner Bros Discovery studio.
The team is as follows, in alphabetical order:
Alessandro Araimo becomes General Manager, Italy, Spain and Portugal. He was previously EVP and General Manager for Discovery in Italy. Pierre Branco becomes General Manager, France, Benelux and Africa. He was previously Country Manager for WarnerMedia in France, Benelux, Middle East and Africa and...
- 6/8/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery has set out its Emea leadership team under Priya Dogra, in her new role as president and managing director for the region.
Dogra’s position at the studio changed in April after Gerhard Zeiler, president of international for the merged company, set out his leadership team for overseas. Zeiler, a former WarnerMedia executive, now oversees the global channels business with a “dotted line” to international streaming lead Jb Perrette, a Discovery veteran. Zeiler previously held the same role for WarnerMedia, and now also has responsibility for Discovery’s international footprint.
Under the new structure, Dogra, formerly the president of WarnerMedia Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (excluding China), focuses only on Emea (excluding Poland). Based in London, she’s responsible for integrating and operating the Discovery and WarnerMedia International orgs across the region.
“My focus has been to build a senior team that harnesses and balances the experience,...
Dogra’s position at the studio changed in April after Gerhard Zeiler, president of international for the merged company, set out his leadership team for overseas. Zeiler, a former WarnerMedia executive, now oversees the global channels business with a “dotted line” to international streaming lead Jb Perrette, a Discovery veteran. Zeiler previously held the same role for WarnerMedia, and now also has responsibility for Discovery’s international footprint.
Under the new structure, Dogra, formerly the president of WarnerMedia Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (excluding China), focuses only on Emea (excluding Poland). Based in London, she’s responsible for integrating and operating the Discovery and WarnerMedia International orgs across the region.
“My focus has been to build a senior team that harnesses and balances the experience,...
- 6/8/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Warner Bros. Discovery on Wednesday unveiled the leadership team put in place to support Priya Dogra in her previously unveiled role as president and managing director, Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea), excluding Poland.
The merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia closed in April.
“My focus has been to build a senior team that harnesses and balances the experience, perspective and talent from across the Discovery and WarnerMedia businesses,” Dogra said. “Each leader will be responsible for continuing the necessary transitions into new means of distribution and new forms of growth, as well as integrating our two organizations into one team, with one clear strategy and a common, respectful culture.”
The executive team will be responsible for Warner Bros. Discovery’s combined businesses in their respective territories, “working in close coordination with the company’s global functions across streaming, sport, U.S. programming and...
Warner Bros. Discovery on Wednesday unveiled the leadership team put in place to support Priya Dogra in her previously unveiled role as president and managing director, Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea), excluding Poland.
The merger of Discovery and WarnerMedia closed in April.
“My focus has been to build a senior team that harnesses and balances the experience, perspective and talent from across the Discovery and WarnerMedia businesses,” Dogra said. “Each leader will be responsible for continuing the necessary transitions into new means of distribution and new forms of growth, as well as integrating our two organizations into one team, with one clear strategy and a common, respectful culture.”
The executive team will be responsible for Warner Bros. Discovery’s combined businesses in their respective territories, “working in close coordination with the company’s global functions across streaming, sport, U.S. programming and...
- 6/8/2022
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
HBO Max has announced that local versions of its original reality dating competition show “FBoy Island” have been greenlit for production in Denmark, Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands.
The hit series will be produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production in each of these territories
The “FBoy Island” series concept was created by Elan Gale (“The Bachelor” franchise) and follows three women who move to a tropical island where they’re joined by 24 men. Of these, 12 are self-proclaimed ‘Nice Guys’ looking for love, and the other 12 are instead ‘FBoys’ who are there to compete for cash.
As Variety TV critic Caroline Framke put it in her review “‘FBoy Island’” “tries to flip the ‘Bachelorette’ conceit on its head with a self-consciously cheeky twist.”
The women navigate the dating pool together with the hope of finding a lasting love connection. As the series progresses, all is revealed: who is a ‘Nice...
The hit series will be produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production in each of these territories
The “FBoy Island” series concept was created by Elan Gale (“The Bachelor” franchise) and follows three women who move to a tropical island where they’re joined by 24 men. Of these, 12 are self-proclaimed ‘Nice Guys’ looking for love, and the other 12 are instead ‘FBoys’ who are there to compete for cash.
As Variety TV critic Caroline Framke put it in her review “‘FBoy Island’” “tries to flip the ‘Bachelorette’ conceit on its head with a self-consciously cheeky twist.”
The women navigate the dating pool together with the hope of finding a lasting love connection. As the series progresses, all is revealed: who is a ‘Nice...
- 4/28/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Fboy Island, the hit U.S. dating series, is to be made into local versions by HBO Max in Denmark, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Warner Bros. International Television Production (Wbitvp) will produce in each territory for the show that HBO said was the biggest launch for a Max Original reality series since it started. Viewership is growing week on week, according to HBO.
Created by The Bachelor’s Elan Gale, the series sees three women move to a tropical island where they’re joined by 24 men – 12 self-proclaimed “Nice Guys” looking for love, and 12 self-proclaimed “FBoys,” there to compete for cash.
The women navigate the dating pool together with the hope of finding a lasting love connection. As the series progresses, all is revealed – who is a “Nice Guy,” who is an “FBoy,” and who the women ultimately choose.
The quartet of local versions is HBO Max’s biggest non-scripted...
Warner Bros. International Television Production (Wbitvp) will produce in each territory for the show that HBO said was the biggest launch for a Max Original reality series since it started. Viewership is growing week on week, according to HBO.
Created by The Bachelor’s Elan Gale, the series sees three women move to a tropical island where they’re joined by 24 men – 12 self-proclaimed “Nice Guys” looking for love, and 12 self-proclaimed “FBoys,” there to compete for cash.
The women navigate the dating pool together with the hope of finding a lasting love connection. As the series progresses, all is revealed – who is a “Nice Guy,” who is an “FBoy,” and who the women ultimately choose.
The quartet of local versions is HBO Max’s biggest non-scripted...
- 4/28/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix may not have been at the MipTV market in Cannes in any substantial way this year, but the service was certainly front and center in a keynote by HBO Max International boss Johannes Larcher.
In a bold presentation, Larcher pointed to his competitor’s international might as a motivating factor for HBO Max’s own growth outside the U.S. In a number of slides dedicated solely to Netflix, the former Hulu exec highlighted the projected growth in Netflix’s international subscribers from 2021 to 2026 (147 subscribers in 2021 to an estimated 266 subscribers by 2026).
“Netflix is clearly reaching saturation in the domestic market. Where will growth come from? Only one place: outside the U.S.,” said Larcher, who was citing analyst estimates.
He also pointed out the streamer’s aggressive content spend, which he expects to grow from 12 billion in 2021 to 21 billion by 2026.
“9 billion additional programming dollars buys a lot of content,...
In a bold presentation, Larcher pointed to his competitor’s international might as a motivating factor for HBO Max’s own growth outside the U.S. In a number of slides dedicated solely to Netflix, the former Hulu exec highlighted the projected growth in Netflix’s international subscribers from 2021 to 2026 (147 subscribers in 2021 to an estimated 266 subscribers by 2026).
“Netflix is clearly reaching saturation in the domestic market. Where will growth come from? Only one place: outside the U.S.,” said Larcher, who was citing analyst estimates.
He also pointed out the streamer’s aggressive content spend, which he expects to grow from 12 billion in 2021 to 21 billion by 2026.
“9 billion additional programming dollars buys a lot of content,...
- 4/5/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Hello Insiders, Tom Grater here delivering a newsletter packed full of the week’s most important headlines from across the film and TV world.
Series Mania Delivers Optimism
Full of positivity: Series Mania is winding down today (although the prestigious International Competition winner is still to be announced) and it’s been a week full of optimism. European creatives and industry execs were out in droves for the first major festival that was almost entirely restriction-less. There was the odd teething problem (seeking press badges was akin to a joyless treasure hunt and patchy wi-fi was a constant talking point) but gone are the days of tests and masks and the delegates were loving it, with several well attended parties taking place when the sun went down.
Keeping it “local”: The message to take away from the forum sessions was loud and clear. The streamers and studios are in Europe and they want content,...
Series Mania Delivers Optimism
Full of positivity: Series Mania is winding down today (although the prestigious International Competition winner is still to be announced) and it’s been a week full of optimism. European creatives and industry execs were out in droves for the first major festival that was almost entirely restriction-less. There was the odd teething problem (seeking press badges was akin to a joyless treasure hunt and patchy wi-fi was a constant talking point) but gone are the days of tests and masks and the delegates were loving it, with several well attended parties taking place when the sun went down.
Keeping it “local”: The message to take away from the forum sessions was loud and clear. The streamers and studios are in Europe and they want content,...
- 3/25/2022
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Company subsidiary Warner Bros. France has released 55 local production in the country over the last 25 years.
WarnerMedia will produce six to eight local feature films a year in France as it expands its production footprint in the country across both cinema and series, top executive Priya Dogra told French TV festival and industry event Series Mania on Thursday (March 24).
”Our intention is to expand our support and commitment to French production, distributing our locally produced movies through cinemas and then later on our own streaming service around the world,” Dogra, WarnerMedia president Emea and Asia, said in a keynote.
”This...
WarnerMedia will produce six to eight local feature films a year in France as it expands its production footprint in the country across both cinema and series, top executive Priya Dogra told French TV festival and industry event Series Mania on Thursday (March 24).
”Our intention is to expand our support and commitment to French production, distributing our locally produced movies through cinemas and then later on our own streaming service around the world,” Dogra, WarnerMedia president Emea and Asia, said in a keynote.
”This...
- 3/24/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
WarnerMedia Emea & Asia President Priya Dogra has talked up the U.S. media giant’s plan to “ramp up investment in local creative communities across Europe,” with 40 shows in the pipeline for 2023.
Taking the Series Mania early afternoon keynote, the exec said WarnerMedia wants to “honour our 100-year legacy of U.S. production know-how” in the various territories HBO Max is expanding into.
Her comments came a day after HBO Max Content Boss Antony Root said the streamer’s European operation will “broaden its appeal beyond the die hard Euphoria fan.”
In Europe, Dogra said HBO Max is quadrupling its number of titles from 10 in 2019 to 40 in 2023 across scripted and non-scripted, as it pushes into more genres.
“There is much more to come as we forge partnerships with more content creators, providing backing for more original series, and extend our reach to more territories, opening up even more opportunity for local investment,...
Taking the Series Mania early afternoon keynote, the exec said WarnerMedia wants to “honour our 100-year legacy of U.S. production know-how” in the various territories HBO Max is expanding into.
Her comments came a day after HBO Max Content Boss Antony Root said the streamer’s European operation will “broaden its appeal beyond the die hard Euphoria fan.”
In Europe, Dogra said HBO Max is quadrupling its number of titles from 10 in 2019 to 40 in 2023 across scripted and non-scripted, as it pushes into more genres.
“There is much more to come as we forge partnerships with more content creators, providing backing for more original series, and extend our reach to more territories, opening up even more opportunity for local investment,...
- 3/24/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
In one of its first major overtures to the European drama community since expanding across the continent, HBO Max commissioners used a rare Series Mania presentation to lay out their strategies and wish lists for the platform.
The team was speaking as part of a panel on Wednesday that drew a queue of at least 500 people who were snaked around the Lille Grand Palais in hopes of getting in. HBO Max is, for many a drama producer in town, the ideal partner in Europe given its existing track record as HBO Europe.
Antony Root, executive VP and head of original production for WarnerMedia Emea, presented the streamer’s four pillars for local originals: Local first; broad appeal; distinctive storytelling; and a diverse slate.
The task at hand, he said, is to drive subscriber acquisitions and “get people in who might not otherwise subscribe to the HBO channel, by having a broader slate.
The team was speaking as part of a panel on Wednesday that drew a queue of at least 500 people who were snaked around the Lille Grand Palais in hopes of getting in. HBO Max is, for many a drama producer in town, the ideal partner in Europe given its existing track record as HBO Europe.
Antony Root, executive VP and head of original production for WarnerMedia Emea, presented the streamer’s four pillars for local originals: Local first; broad appeal; distinctive storytelling; and a diverse slate.
The task at hand, he said, is to drive subscriber acquisitions and “get people in who might not otherwise subscribe to the HBO channel, by having a broader slate.
- 3/23/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
HBO Max Content Boss Antony Root has set out his team’s stall to “broaden the appeal” of the streamer “beyond the die hard Euphoria fan.”
Speaking alongside his European commissioning and production chiefs at Series Mania, Root said the international team is looking to attract new subs to the platform who “might not otherwise have thought to subscribe” by commissioning “fresh” content and pushing into new genres such as competition formats and adventure shows.
His four pillars are “local first,” “broad appeal,” “distinctive storytelling” and “diverse slate.”
Root and his production team pointed to upcoming shows from new voices such as Spain’s Garcia from Sara Antuña and Carlos de Pando and Sweden’s Lust co-created by three established actresses.
“We want to broaden the appeal of what we do in local original programming beyond the die hard Euphoria fan,” he explained.
Root positioned the team as “very much...
Speaking alongside his European commissioning and production chiefs at Series Mania, Root said the international team is looking to attract new subs to the platform who “might not otherwise have thought to subscribe” by commissioning “fresh” content and pushing into new genres such as competition formats and adventure shows.
His four pillars are “local first,” “broad appeal,” “distinctive storytelling” and “diverse slate.”
Root and his production team pointed to upcoming shows from new voices such as Spain’s Garcia from Sara Antuña and Carlos de Pando and Sweden’s Lust co-created by three established actresses.
“We want to broaden the appeal of what we do in local original programming beyond the die hard Euphoria fan,” he explained.
Root positioned the team as “very much...
- 3/23/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Ticking multiple boxes, and a competition frontrunner, “Paradys” walked off on Tuesday night with the Series Mania Forum Best Project Award, the biggest industry plaudit at one of Europe’s largest TV festivals.
A novel crime drama “Paradys” is produced by South Africa’s Quizzical Pictures and Keshet International, which also handles international distribution. The project was pitched at Series Mania by Quizzical producer Nimrod Geva and creator-writer Darrel Bristow-Bovey.
Carrying a €50,000 cash prize, the award marks a triumph for Keshet International’s ever more expansive production reach, and for Johannesburg-based Quizzical Pictures, part of South Africa’s burgeoning premium series production scene and a Rose D’Or-winning production company for “Hopeville.”
The series is also the first from South Africa selected for the Forum’s Co-Pro Pitching Sessions, its industry centrepiece.
Also created by Anton Visser and executive produced by Avi Nir for Keshet International, “Paradys” turns on two...
A novel crime drama “Paradys” is produced by South Africa’s Quizzical Pictures and Keshet International, which also handles international distribution. The project was pitched at Series Mania by Quizzical producer Nimrod Geva and creator-writer Darrel Bristow-Bovey.
Carrying a €50,000 cash prize, the award marks a triumph for Keshet International’s ever more expansive production reach, and for Johannesburg-based Quizzical Pictures, part of South Africa’s burgeoning premium series production scene and a Rose D’Or-winning production company for “Hopeville.”
The series is also the first from South Africa selected for the Forum’s Co-Pro Pitching Sessions, its industry centrepiece.
Also created by Anton Visser and executive produced by Avi Nir for Keshet International, “Paradys” turns on two...
- 3/22/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Drama was among 15 series projects pitched at Co-Pro Pitching Sessions.
South African drama Paradys won the top €50,000 project prize at French TV festival and industry event Series Mania on Tuesday evening (March 22).
It was among 15 projects presented in the centrepiece Co-Pro Pitching Sessions of the industry-focused Series Mania Forum.
“The country [South Africa] is well known for the high quality of the international productions that shoot there. To see the same standards applied to a distinctive and ambitious local project will be very exciting,” said jury president Antony Root, EVP and head of original production at WarnerMedia Emea.
The other jury members comprised Noel Hedges,...
South African drama Paradys won the top €50,000 project prize at French TV festival and industry event Series Mania on Tuesday evening (March 22).
It was among 15 projects presented in the centrepiece Co-Pro Pitching Sessions of the industry-focused Series Mania Forum.
“The country [South Africa] is well known for the high quality of the international productions that shoot there. To see the same standards applied to a distinctive and ambitious local project will be very exciting,” said jury president Antony Root, EVP and head of original production at WarnerMedia Emea.
The other jury members comprised Noel Hedges,...
- 3/22/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
HBO Max Unveils ‘The Thaw’ Trailer
Exclusive: HBO Max has unveiled a trailer for Polish thriller The Thaw from writer/director duo Marta Szymanek and Xawery Żuławski. The Thaw will launch in all HBO Max territories on April 1 and the trailer comes a week after the streamer launched in Poland. The show starts with the body of a young woman being found in the icy waters of the Oder River. Newly-widowed Detective Katarzyna Zawieja (Katarzyna Wajda) leads the investigation to track down the killer and when it becomes evident that the victim gave birth shortly before her death, Zawieja, a young officer who never gives up easily, goes on a search for the missing newborn. Executive producers are Izabela Łopuch, Johnathan Young, and Antony Root and producers are Bogumił Lipski and Andrzej Beszta.
ITV Goes ‘Searching For Michael Jackson’s Zoo’
ITV is to go Searching for Michael Jackson’s...
Exclusive: HBO Max has unveiled a trailer for Polish thriller The Thaw from writer/director duo Marta Szymanek and Xawery Żuławski. The Thaw will launch in all HBO Max territories on April 1 and the trailer comes a week after the streamer launched in Poland. The show starts with the body of a young woman being found in the icy waters of the Oder River. Newly-widowed Detective Katarzyna Zawieja (Katarzyna Wajda) leads the investigation to track down the killer and when it becomes evident that the victim gave birth shortly before her death, Zawieja, a young officer who never gives up easily, goes on a search for the missing newborn. Executive producers are Izabela Łopuch, Johnathan Young, and Antony Root and producers are Bogumił Lipski and Andrzej Beszta.
ITV Goes ‘Searching For Michael Jackson’s Zoo’
ITV is to go Searching for Michael Jackson’s...
- 3/18/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Heavily localized content complementing a wealth of new and library offerings out of the U.S. is very much the modus operandi for HBO Max in Europe.
The WarnerMedia-backed streamer, which will soon be combined with Discovery Plus, rolled out recently to 13 countries in Central and Eastern Europe (Cee), as well as Portugal and the Netherlands, with Turkey, Greece, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to follow later this year. There are no plans to launch HBO Max in Russia or Ukraine.
Variety can exclusively reveal that one of HBO Max’s big bets is musical talent format “One True Singer,” which promises to launch the next big singer in Romania.
In the show, 14 young artists are selected from hundreds of applicants. Having impressed a jury made up of Alex Cotoi, Alina Eremia, Șerban Cazan and Bruja, they make it inside the “One True Singer” house and compete for a €100,000 prize.
The WarnerMedia-backed streamer, which will soon be combined with Discovery Plus, rolled out recently to 13 countries in Central and Eastern Europe (Cee), as well as Portugal and the Netherlands, with Turkey, Greece, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to follow later this year. There are no plans to launch HBO Max in Russia or Ukraine.
Variety can exclusively reveal that one of HBO Max’s big bets is musical talent format “One True Singer,” which promises to launch the next big singer in Romania.
In the show, 14 young artists are selected from hundreds of applicants. Having impressed a jury made up of Alex Cotoi, Alina Eremia, Șerban Cazan and Bruja, they make it inside the “One True Singer” house and compete for a €100,000 prize.
- 3/17/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Italy’s “The Impossible She,” Spain’s “Detective Touré,” South Africa’s “Paradys” and France’s “Hormones” feature among 15 drama series projects selected for the Series Mania Forum’s 2022 Co-Pro Pitching Sessions.
One of Europe’s most prestigious TV competitions, with titles competing for a €50,000 grand prize, this year’s Sessions form part of the Forum, which runs March 22-24.
The lineup is rich in projects backed by top-tier producers and sales forces, while sluiced by large themes, such as racial and gender equality.
The latest from top Italian company Fandango, producer of “Gomorrah” and “My Brilliant Friend,” “The Impossible She” turns on young Neapolitan aristocrat Maria Teresa de Filippis, the first female Formula 1 driver.
Co-produced by Academy Award winner Tornasol (“The Secret in My Eyes”), “Detective Touré” features Touré a sub-Saharan immigrant settled in Bilbao who will become the best detective of the city, despite no badge, nor papers.
One of Europe’s most prestigious TV competitions, with titles competing for a €50,000 grand prize, this year’s Sessions form part of the Forum, which runs March 22-24.
The lineup is rich in projects backed by top-tier producers and sales forces, while sluiced by large themes, such as racial and gender equality.
The latest from top Italian company Fandango, producer of “Gomorrah” and “My Brilliant Friend,” “The Impossible She” turns on young Neapolitan aristocrat Maria Teresa de Filippis, the first female Formula 1 driver.
Co-produced by Academy Award winner Tornasol (“The Secret in My Eyes”), “Detective Touré” features Touré a sub-Saharan immigrant settled in Bilbao who will become the best detective of the city, despite no badge, nor papers.
- 2/17/2022
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Series
U.K. broadcaster BBC has acquired CNN‘s Primetime Emmy winning series “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy.” The six-part series follows Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as he travels across Italy to discover the secrets and delights of the country’s regional cuisines. In each episode, Tucci visits a different region or city of Italy, showing viewers how the diversity of Italian cooking offers a gateway through which they can glimpse Italy’s history and culture.
The show, which is produced by CNN and London-based film and television production company Raw, has already been renewed for a second season and will be available on BBC Two and streamer iPlayer from Feb. 27.
Tucci said: “It has been a dream of mine to make this show for many years and a great joy to make it with CNN and Raw. I am so honored that it has been acquired by the esteemed BBC.
U.K. broadcaster BBC has acquired CNN‘s Primetime Emmy winning series “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy.” The six-part series follows Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as he travels across Italy to discover the secrets and delights of the country’s regional cuisines. In each episode, Tucci visits a different region or city of Italy, showing viewers how the diversity of Italian cooking offers a gateway through which they can glimpse Italy’s history and culture.
The show, which is produced by CNN and London-based film and television production company Raw, has already been renewed for a second season and will be available on BBC Two and streamer iPlayer from Feb. 27.
Tucci said: “It has been a dream of mine to make this show for many years and a great joy to make it with CNN and Raw. I am so honored that it has been acquired by the esteemed BBC.
- 2/14/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Sarajevo Director Exits After 27 Years
Mirsad Purivatra, the founder of the Sarajevo Film Festival, is leaving the Sff Director position after 27 years. Purivatra will assume the role of President of the Obala Art Centar Association, the umbrella organization behind the Sarajevo Film Festival. Purivatra’s successor will be Jovan Marjanović, previously in charge of the Sff Industry Department and the Festival Co-director. Said Purivatra: “I am proud of everything we have accomplished over the last 27 years. We started from nothing, when our city was under siege, and today we are a globally renowned institution attended by filmmakers and film industry professionals from the region and the whole world. We have faced many challenges on this journey. Our recognizable strong teamwork has turned challenges into successful projects by always setting and attaining high standards. All along we have been dedicated to our mission to discover, support and promote local and regional film authors and industries.
Mirsad Purivatra, the founder of the Sarajevo Film Festival, is leaving the Sff Director position after 27 years. Purivatra will assume the role of President of the Obala Art Centar Association, the umbrella organization behind the Sarajevo Film Festival. Purivatra’s successor will be Jovan Marjanović, previously in charge of the Sff Industry Department and the Festival Co-director. Said Purivatra: “I am proud of everything we have accomplished over the last 27 years. We started from nothing, when our city was under siege, and today we are a globally renowned institution attended by filmmakers and film industry professionals from the region and the whole world. We have faced many challenges on this journey. Our recognizable strong teamwork has turned challenges into successful projects by always setting and attaining high standards. All along we have been dedicated to our mission to discover, support and promote local and regional film authors and industries.
- 2/14/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman, Tom Grater and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO Max has revealed that principal photography has begun on a second season of its cult Spanish horror series “30 Coins,” from genre maestro Alex de la Iglesia, following an eight-episode commission. Shooting for the globetrotting series will take place in Spain, Italy, the U.S., France and the U.K., with the second season scheduled to launch in 2023.
HBO has also released a grim teaser to mark the occasion, which includes a brief look at Eduard Fernández’s Padre Vergara, looking worse for ware after the events of Season 1.
A hit in its native Spain, the series also found success abroad as its became available on the WarnerMedia-owned streaming platform in more territories. Rumors of a second season have been around since last September, when de la Iglesia and Pokeepsie Films, his production company, tweeted photos of the director in the quaint city square where the action in “30 Coins” kicked off,...
HBO has also released a grim teaser to mark the occasion, which includes a brief look at Eduard Fernández’s Padre Vergara, looking worse for ware after the events of Season 1.
A hit in its native Spain, the series also found success abroad as its became available on the WarnerMedia-owned streaming platform in more territories. Rumors of a second season have been around since last September, when de la Iglesia and Pokeepsie Films, his production company, tweeted photos of the director in the quaint city square where the action in “30 Coins” kicked off,...
- 2/11/2022
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
HBO Max has commissioned a second season of Álex de Iglesia and Jorge Guerricaechevarría’s mystery horror 30 Coins.
Principal photography will begin later this month on the eight-parter, which will air next year.
The series will pick up from the end of season one, which dropped on the platform in late 2020. Most of the people of Pedraza have lost their minds, confined to a psychiatric hospital. Elena lies in a Madrid hospital bed in a coma; Paco, shattered by remorse, tries to take care of her. As horror grows around them, the group of heroes must face a new enemy.
“If the first season was the gathering of the storm clouds, the second will be the maelstrom preceding an epic storm,” said de la Iglesia.
30 Coins stars Eduard Fernández, Megan Montaner and Miguel Ángel Silvestre. Executive Producers for HBO Max are Steve Matthews, Miguel Salvat and Antony Root.
Principal photography will begin later this month on the eight-parter, which will air next year.
The series will pick up from the end of season one, which dropped on the platform in late 2020. Most of the people of Pedraza have lost their minds, confined to a psychiatric hospital. Elena lies in a Madrid hospital bed in a coma; Paco, shattered by remorse, tries to take care of her. As horror grows around them, the group of heroes must face a new enemy.
“If the first season was the gathering of the storm clouds, the second will be the maelstrom preceding an epic storm,” said de la Iglesia.
30 Coins stars Eduard Fernández, Megan Montaner and Miguel Ángel Silvestre. Executive Producers for HBO Max are Steve Matthews, Miguel Salvat and Antony Root.
- 2/11/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
WarnerMedia International has appointed Arte France executive Clémentine Bobin as senior creative executive for HBO Max in France. Bobin will be working across development and creative production for Max Originals that are commissioned and produced in France.
She will work alongside former Canal Plus executive Vera Peltekian, who joined the company in October and is responsible for all Max Originals commissioned and produced in France for HBO Max.
“I’m excited to welcome Clémentine to the team. She brings a wealth of experience in producing world-class stories which resonate in France and beyond,” said Peltekian, adding that “Clémentine’s appointment is a major milestone in building our development capability in France.”
Bobin said she was “honored and delighted to be joining HBO Max, and to work with Vera Peltekian to help develop a slate of French original programming that is bold, talent-driven, distinctive and exciting.”
Prior to joining HBO Max,...
She will work alongside former Canal Plus executive Vera Peltekian, who joined the company in October and is responsible for all Max Originals commissioned and produced in France for HBO Max.
“I’m excited to welcome Clémentine to the team. She brings a wealth of experience in producing world-class stories which resonate in France and beyond,” said Peltekian, adding that “Clémentine’s appointment is a major milestone in building our development capability in France.”
Bobin said she was “honored and delighted to be joining HBO Max, and to work with Vera Peltekian to help develop a slate of French original programming that is bold, talent-driven, distinctive and exciting.”
Prior to joining HBO Max,...
- 1/13/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Here’s a trailer for the second season of Beforeigners, HBO Max’s debut original from Norway.
The sci-fi drama from Lilyhammer’s Eilif Skodvin and Anne Bjørnstad is introducing a wealth of new international cast members for the second season, including Paul Kaye (Game of Thrones) Ann Akin (I May Destroy You), Jade Anouka (His Dark Materials), Billy Postlethwaite (Chernobyl), Hedda Stiernstedt (The Restaurant) and Philip Rosch (The Alienist). Krista Kosonen and Nicolai Cleve Broch will reprise their roles as main characters Alfhildr and Lars and Tobias Santelmann (The Last Kingdom) will return as Olav the Holy.
The series starts with Oslo shaken by a brutal murder. Lars and Alfhildr are brought back together in an investigation with ties to several countries and centuries which raises the question: could Jack the Ripper have ‘timeigrated’ to the present? Police detectives, Lars and Alfhildr soon realize that if they are to capture the killer,...
The sci-fi drama from Lilyhammer’s Eilif Skodvin and Anne Bjørnstad is introducing a wealth of new international cast members for the second season, including Paul Kaye (Game of Thrones) Ann Akin (I May Destroy You), Jade Anouka (His Dark Materials), Billy Postlethwaite (Chernobyl), Hedda Stiernstedt (The Restaurant) and Philip Rosch (The Alienist). Krista Kosonen and Nicolai Cleve Broch will reprise their roles as main characters Alfhildr and Lars and Tobias Santelmann (The Last Kingdom) will return as Olav the Holy.
The series starts with Oslo shaken by a brutal murder. Lars and Alfhildr are brought back together in an investigation with ties to several countries and centuries which raises the question: could Jack the Ripper have ‘timeigrated’ to the present? Police detectives, Lars and Alfhildr soon realize that if they are to capture the killer,...
- 11/16/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Experienced Canal+ drama exec Vera Peltekian is to head up HBO Max’s French original production offering as the streamer gears up for launch in Europe.
Although HBO Max currently has no plans to launch in France, Peltekian will join the pan-regional Emea team responsible for commissioning and producing drama, comedy, docs and unscripted content, as she takes on the newly-created Commissioning Editor of Original Production France, Warnermedia role.
Peltekian has been overseeing French drama series for Canal+ since 2006, working on the likes of The Returned, The Tunnel and Savages.
WarnerMedia EVP and Head of Original Production, Emea, Antony Root, called Peltekian a “a world-class television executive whose passion for nurturing storytellers has seen her work on some of France’s most creative and ambitious programming.”...
Although HBO Max currently has no plans to launch in France, Peltekian will join the pan-regional Emea team responsible for commissioning and producing drama, comedy, docs and unscripted content, as she takes on the newly-created Commissioning Editor of Original Production France, Warnermedia role.
Peltekian has been overseeing French drama series for Canal+ since 2006, working on the likes of The Returned, The Tunnel and Savages.
WarnerMedia EVP and Head of Original Production, Emea, Antony Root, called Peltekian a “a world-class television executive whose passion for nurturing storytellers has seen her work on some of France’s most creative and ambitious programming.”...
- 10/19/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Vera Pelekian, an executive at France’s Vivendi-owned Canal+ who has worked on such local-language hits as Spiral and The Returned, will join WarnerMedia’s HBO Max as its new head of original television production for France.
Antony Root, head of original production for WarnerMedia Emea, made the announcement on Tuesday. Peltekian, who will join the company in November, will be based in Paris and hold the official title of vp and commissioning editor of original programming France.
Peltekian has been at Canal+ since 2006 where she has worked on critically and commercially acclaimed series including The Returned, the zombie series which won the ...
Antony Root, head of original production for WarnerMedia Emea, made the announcement on Tuesday. Peltekian, who will join the company in November, will be based in Paris and hold the official title of vp and commissioning editor of original programming France.
Peltekian has been at Canal+ since 2006 where she has worked on critically and commercially acclaimed series including The Returned, the zombie series which won the ...
- 10/19/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Vera Peltekian, an executive at France’s Vivendi-owned Canal+ who has worked on such local-language hits as Spiral and The Returned, will join WarnerMedia’s HBO Max as its new head of original television production for France.
Antony Root, head of original production for WarnerMedia Emea, made the announcement on Tuesday. Peltekian, who will join the company in November, will be based in Paris and hold the official title of vp and commissioning editor of original programming France.
Peltekian has been at Canal+ since 2006 where she has worked on critically and commercially acclaimed series including The Returned, the zombie series which won the ...
Antony Root, head of original production for WarnerMedia Emea, made the announcement on Tuesday. Peltekian, who will join the company in November, will be based in Paris and hold the official title of vp and commissioning editor of original programming France.
Peltekian has been at Canal+ since 2006 where she has worked on critically and commercially acclaimed series including The Returned, the zombie series which won the ...
- 10/19/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Ahead of the streamer’s Oct. 26 arrival in Spain, representatives from several shows commissioned for WarnerMedia’s HBO Max assembled at the San Sebastian Film Festival on Sunday to preview their shows, slated to arrive on the platform on or after its launch.
Four series were presented to an at-capacity press conference held in San Sebastian’s Kuursal conference center, the main hub for the Spanish festival.
First up was “Todo lo otro,” a release day launch for HBO Max staring multi-hyphenate Abril Zamora who writes, directs and stars in the story of a group of 30-somethings living in Madrid who have reached adulthood and found themselves living lives different from what they’d once dreamed. Playing the series’ lead protagonist, Zamora stars as Daphne, pushing middle age, recently single and with a crap job. Complicating things even more, she finds herself falling for her best friend, who himself is...
Four series were presented to an at-capacity press conference held in San Sebastian’s Kuursal conference center, the main hub for the Spanish festival.
First up was “Todo lo otro,” a release day launch for HBO Max staring multi-hyphenate Abril Zamora who writes, directs and stars in the story of a group of 30-somethings living in Madrid who have reached adulthood and found themselves living lives different from what they’d once dreamed. Playing the series’ lead protagonist, Zamora stars as Daphne, pushing middle age, recently single and with a crap job. Complicating things even more, she finds herself falling for her best friend, who himself is...
- 9/19/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
One moment, Julie, just 18, a fashion influencer, 159,258 followers, is swanning down a street in Copenhagen, with her BFFs Constanze, Micke and Sofia. The next, her parents and big brother are dead, killed in a plane crash in Africa.
Julie gets the family mansion, but can’t think of any good reasons for living.
There’s a before and after, Julie says in “Kamikaze,” HBO Max’s first Danish original. “Before when I thought of time, that would bring me closer to whatever I was looking forward to. And now I only think of time as something between myself and all the things I will never get back,” she reasons.
Over the course of eight energetic half-hour episodes, Julie seeks a reason to live, while attempting comic and dramatic life-exits in a journey which takes her to Seoul, London, Mexico and finally, in an narrative stretch which punctuates the whole series,...
Julie gets the family mansion, but can’t think of any good reasons for living.
There’s a before and after, Julie says in “Kamikaze,” HBO Max’s first Danish original. “Before when I thought of time, that would bring me closer to whatever I was looking forward to. And now I only think of time as something between myself and all the things I will never get back,” she reasons.
Over the course of eight energetic half-hour episodes, Julie seeks a reason to live, while attempting comic and dramatic life-exits in a journey which takes her to Seoul, London, Mexico and finally, in an narrative stretch which punctuates the whole series,...
- 9/1/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Antony Root, who heads up WarnerMedia’s originals drive across Emea, has outlined his vision for the studio’s European content as it continues to roll out HBO Max across the continent.
During his keynote at Series Mania today, Root promised “a broader approach going forward” in terms of both form and genre, saying that series would often still have HBO’s trademark edge but “should be accessible”.
He noted that HBO Max is aiming to reach “broader audiences than the traditional HBO audience” and said the studio’s streaming service “is not about doing highbrow”. The exec also qualified that content “can have complexity” and that the company is “not in the business of making banal television”.
Root pointed to HBO Max in the U.S., which he said had a more varied offering, including unscripted content as well as the traditional high-end dramas and docs that HBO is famous for.
During his keynote at Series Mania today, Root promised “a broader approach going forward” in terms of both form and genre, saying that series would often still have HBO’s trademark edge but “should be accessible”.
He noted that HBO Max is aiming to reach “broader audiences than the traditional HBO audience” and said the studio’s streaming service “is not about doing highbrow”. The exec also qualified that content “can have complexity” and that the company is “not in the business of making banal television”.
Root pointed to HBO Max in the U.S., which he said had a more varied offering, including unscripted content as well as the traditional high-end dramas and docs that HBO is famous for.
- 8/31/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
A pair of Oscar nominations for “Collective,” a blistering exposé of corruption in his native Romania, was certainly a triumph for Alexander Nanau, one of Europe’s most acclaimed documentary filmmakers. But it was a success story shared by co-producer HBO Europe, which has spent the past decade beefing up its documentary arm en route to becoming one of the continent’s leading producers of documentary films.
Now that doc division is readying for the global spotlight, as WarnerMedia begins the international rollout of its HBO Max streaming service, which will launch across Latin America in June and in much of Europe later this year. “This is really an exciting thing, telling local stories for a global audience,” says Hanka Kastelicova, HBO Europe’s VP of documentaries, who spoke to Variety during Hot Docs.
The kudos for “Collective,” which earned a rare double nod from the Academy in the documentary and international feature film categories,...
Now that doc division is readying for the global spotlight, as WarnerMedia begins the international rollout of its HBO Max streaming service, which will launch across Latin America in June and in much of Europe later this year. “This is really an exciting thing, telling local stories for a global audience,” says Hanka Kastelicova, HBO Europe’s VP of documentaries, who spoke to Variety during Hot Docs.
The kudos for “Collective,” which earned a rare double nod from the Academy in the documentary and international feature film categories,...
- 5/7/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
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