In a country where women’s freedoms have historically been marginalized (a nationwide ban on female drivers was only lifted five years ago), new Mbc Studios boss Christina Wayne is determined to seek out the strongest female creative voices Saudi Arabia has to offer.
In her first major interview since replacing Peter Smith in February, American producer Wayne, who shepherded Mad Men and Breaking Bad for AMC Networks, tells Deadline how the Riyadh-based media giant is encouraging work from “across all genders” but lasering in on new female talent.
“We have lots of amazing female writers and directors in the region who are bringing us fabulous stories,” she says. “There are book series here with fanbases that are young and female, and they are surprisingly interested in fantasy and sci-fi.”
Despite being criticized for a litany of human rights abuses and ‘sportswashing’ claims, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has spearheaded...
In her first major interview since replacing Peter Smith in February, American producer Wayne, who shepherded Mad Men and Breaking Bad for AMC Networks, tells Deadline how the Riyadh-based media giant is encouraging work from “across all genders” but lasering in on new female talent.
“We have lots of amazing female writers and directors in the region who are bringing us fabulous stories,” she says. “There are book series here with fanbases that are young and female, and they are surprisingly interested in fantasy and sci-fi.”
Despite being criticized for a litany of human rights abuses and ‘sportswashing’ claims, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has spearheaded...
- 10/19/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
US producer previously helped develop ‘Mad Men’ and ‘Breaking Bad’.
Former Amazon Studios executive Christina Wayne has been appointed managing director of Mbc Studios, the production arm of top Middle East broadcaster Mbc Group.
The US producer replaces Peter Smith, a former president of NBCUniversal International, who is stepping down after four years but will remain with the group in an advisory role.
During his tenure, Smith spearheaded major growth in Mbc’s production activity with titles such as Rashash, Rise of the Witches, and Devil’s Promise. The latter is a series created by Tony Jordan, the UK creator of Life Of Mars,...
Former Amazon Studios executive Christina Wayne has been appointed managing director of Mbc Studios, the production arm of top Middle East broadcaster Mbc Group.
The US producer replaces Peter Smith, a former president of NBCUniversal International, who is stepping down after four years but will remain with the group in an advisory role.
During his tenure, Smith spearheaded major growth in Mbc’s production activity with titles such as Rashash, Rise of the Witches, and Devil’s Promise. The latter is a series created by Tony Jordan, the UK creator of Life Of Mars,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Prominent U.S. producer Christina Wayne, who shepherded “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad,” has been appointed managing director of Mbc Studios, the expanding production arm of top Middle East broadcaster Mbc Group.
Wayne will replace Peter Smith, the former president of NBCUniversal, who over the past four years has overseen a surge in the Saudi-owned broadcaster’s production activity while launching its Shahid VIP streaming service, alongside its linear channels. Mbc Studios is now pumping hundreds of millions of dollars in high-end productions in Saudi Arabia as part of the ongoing effort to help kickstart the kingdom’s nascent industry. To this end, Mbc significantly moved its headquarters from Dubai to Riyadh last year.
In her new role, Wayne will continue Mbc Studios’ “ongoing work in expanding the reach of its content to audiences around the world, leveraging the continuous trend for non-English-language television content to reach more global markets,...
Wayne will replace Peter Smith, the former president of NBCUniversal, who over the past four years has overseen a surge in the Saudi-owned broadcaster’s production activity while launching its Shahid VIP streaming service, alongside its linear channels. Mbc Studios is now pumping hundreds of millions of dollars in high-end productions in Saudi Arabia as part of the ongoing effort to help kickstart the kingdom’s nascent industry. To this end, Mbc significantly moved its headquarters from Dubai to Riyadh last year.
In her new role, Wayne will continue Mbc Studios’ “ongoing work in expanding the reach of its content to audiences around the world, leveraging the continuous trend for non-English-language television content to reach more global markets,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Former Amazon Studios originals boss for Canada and Australia, Christina Wayne, will be the new Managing Director of Saudi Arabia-based Mbc Studios.
She will succeed Peter Smith, who we last week revealed was stepping down after four years. Smith will remain as an advisor.
Former AMC Networks exec Wayne and Smith are well known to each other. In 2012, Smith joined Cineflix Studios as CEO when Wayne was President.
At Mbc Studios, the production arm of the Middle East and North Africa-focused network Mbc Group, Wayne will look to continue a push into premium non-English-language TV programs.
Mbc operates 17 free-to-air satellite channels and streaming service Shahid.
Sam Barnett, Group CEO of Mbc Group, stated: “We’re incredibly excited to be welcoming Christina Wayne to the role of Managing Director at Mbc Studios. Christina brings with her a wealth of international expertise in content development and production where she has worked across...
She will succeed Peter Smith, who we last week revealed was stepping down after four years. Smith will remain as an advisor.
Former AMC Networks exec Wayne and Smith are well known to each other. In 2012, Smith joined Cineflix Studios as CEO when Wayne was President.
At Mbc Studios, the production arm of the Middle East and North Africa-focused network Mbc Group, Wayne will look to continue a push into premium non-English-language TV programs.
Mbc operates 17 free-to-air satellite channels and streaming service Shahid.
Sam Barnett, Group CEO of Mbc Group, stated: “We’re incredibly excited to be welcoming Christina Wayne to the role of Managing Director at Mbc Studios. Christina brings with her a wealth of international expertise in content development and production where she has worked across...
- 2/3/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran TV exec Peter Smith is stepping down as managing director of Mbc Studios, the production arm of top Middle East broadcaster Mbc Group.
Smith, a former president of NBCUniversal, had joined Saudi-owned Mbc in 2018 as it ramped up production while launching its Shahid VIP streaming service, alongside its linear channels. Over the following four years he oversaw a burst in production activity as Mbc Studios pumped hundreds of millions of dollars in high-end productions in Saudi Arabia as part of the ongoing effort to help kickstart the kingdom’s nascent industry. Mbc moved its headquarters from Dubai to Riyadh last year.
Smith has lead the production of many flagship Mbc Studios shows, including “Rashash, Rise of the Witches”; “The Devil’s Promise,” which is a series created by Tony Jordan (“Life on Mars”) helmed by British director Colin Teague; “Slave Market”; and big-budget Saudi actioner “Desert Warrior,” featuring an all-star...
Smith, a former president of NBCUniversal, had joined Saudi-owned Mbc in 2018 as it ramped up production while launching its Shahid VIP streaming service, alongside its linear channels. Over the following four years he oversaw a burst in production activity as Mbc Studios pumped hundreds of millions of dollars in high-end productions in Saudi Arabia as part of the ongoing effort to help kickstart the kingdom’s nascent industry. Mbc moved its headquarters from Dubai to Riyadh last year.
Smith has lead the production of many flagship Mbc Studios shows, including “Rashash, Rise of the Witches”; “The Devil’s Promise,” which is a series created by Tony Jordan (“Life on Mars”) helmed by British director Colin Teague; “Slave Market”; and big-budget Saudi actioner “Desert Warrior,” featuring an all-star...
- 1/26/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Peter Smith is leaving Mbc Studios after four years as Managing Director.
We’ve learned the international industry veteran is stepping down from the premium production arm of Middle Eastern and North African network Mbc, though he’ll continue to advise on production and distribution.
In a statement to Deadline, Mbc CEO Sam Barnett confirmed the exit and said a successor would be named “in due course, in coming days.”
Smith is a former NBCUniversal International President and was CEO of Cineflix Studios and Greece-based broadcaster Antenna Group.
He joined Mbc Studios in 2018 as it launched as the production arm of free-to-air network Mbc, which is the largest media company in the Mena region. He was tasked with increasing Mbc’s original film and TV output and and he has gone on to overseen the launch of shows such as Rashash, Rise of the Witches and The Devil’s Promise.
We’ve learned the international industry veteran is stepping down from the premium production arm of Middle Eastern and North African network Mbc, though he’ll continue to advise on production and distribution.
In a statement to Deadline, Mbc CEO Sam Barnett confirmed the exit and said a successor would be named “in due course, in coming days.”
Smith is a former NBCUniversal International President and was CEO of Cineflix Studios and Greece-based broadcaster Antenna Group.
He joined Mbc Studios in 2018 as it launched as the production arm of free-to-air network Mbc, which is the largest media company in the Mena region. He was tasked with increasing Mbc’s original film and TV output and and he has gone on to overseen the launch of shows such as Rashash, Rise of the Witches and The Devil’s Promise.
- 1/26/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
In what is being hailed as a milestone, Egyptian director Mohamed Diab recently became the first Arab helmer to direct a Marvel project when he took the reins of the limited series “Moon Knight,” while Netflix launched its latest Arab original show, “Finding Ola,” toplining Cairo-based Tunisian star Hend Sabry. Sabry plays a happy divorcee who embarks on a journey of self-discovery, reflecting changing female roles in the region and the streamer’s thematically groundbreaking Middle East strategy.
Meanwhile, Egyptian producer Mohammed Hefzy, whose production company Film Clinic was behind Netflix’s first Egyptian original skein, “Paranormal,” became a member of the 2022 Intl. Emmy Awards jury.
Hefzy points out that “Moon Knight” “opens doors for other Arab directors in the international TV arena” and notes that Marvel has also hired other behind-the-camera Egyptian talents such as editor Ahmed Hafez and composer Hesham Nazih. But still, it’s a Hollywood show.
Meanwhile, Egyptian producer Mohammed Hefzy, whose production company Film Clinic was behind Netflix’s first Egyptian original skein, “Paranormal,” became a member of the 2022 Intl. Emmy Awards jury.
Hefzy points out that “Moon Knight” “opens doors for other Arab directors in the international TV arena” and notes that Marvel has also hired other behind-the-camera Egyptian talents such as editor Ahmed Hafez and composer Hesham Nazih. But still, it’s a Hollywood show.
- 10/15/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Some 25 productions have shot in the region in Saudi Arabia over the past 18 months.
Neom, a futuristic megacity being built in northwestern Saudi Arabia, has announced its anticipated incentive for productions in the region that consists of a cash rebate of at least 40.
The rebate will apply to feature films, TV drama, reality series and documentaries as well as commercials, with producers able to secure a higher percentage based on their “industry development contributions”.
These contributions include elements such as hiring of local production crew and investment in infrastructure, such as set building that can remain behind for use on future projects.
Neom, a futuristic megacity being built in northwestern Saudi Arabia, has announced its anticipated incentive for productions in the region that consists of a cash rebate of at least 40.
The rebate will apply to feature films, TV drama, reality series and documentaries as well as commercials, with producers able to secure a higher percentage based on their “industry development contributions”.
These contributions include elements such as hiring of local production crew and investment in infrastructure, such as set building that can remain behind for use on future projects.
- 9/14/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Some 25 productions have shot in the region in Saudi Arabia over the past 18 months.
Neom, a futuristic megacity being built in northwestern Saudi Arabia, has announced its anticipated incentive for productions in the region that consists of a cash rebate of at least 40.
The rebate will apply to feature films, TV drama, reality series and documentaries as well as commercials, with producers able to secure a higher percentage based on their “industry development contributions”.
These contributions include elements such as hiring of local production crew and investment in infrastructure, such as set building that can remain behind for use on future projects.
Neom, a futuristic megacity being built in northwestern Saudi Arabia, has announced its anticipated incentive for productions in the region that consists of a cash rebate of at least 40.
The rebate will apply to feature films, TV drama, reality series and documentaries as well as commercials, with producers able to secure a higher percentage based on their “industry development contributions”.
These contributions include elements such as hiring of local production crew and investment in infrastructure, such as set building that can remain behind for use on future projects.
- 9/14/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Lauded British screenwriter Tony Jordan and BAFTA nominee Colin Teague have combined on The Devil’s Promise, the latest big-budget TV series to come from Saudi Arabia’s Mbc Studios.
The pair have written and directed respectively and Hitch star Paula Patton is starring as the nation continues to ramp up its TV offering.
Airing on streamer Shahid VIP later this month, the show follows Ibrahim, who secures a gigantic project to redevelop a Cairo slum on the day is his wife is diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor. Refusing to accept the prognosis, Ibrahim tries everything in his power to save her, including promising his soul to Iblis, Aka the devil, after his death.
The show stars Patton along with Amr Youssef, Aïcha Ben Ahmed, Fathy Abdel Wahab, Yaqoub Alfarhan, Ahmed Magdy, Ahmed Al Refaei, Mohamed Yousry, Mohamed Marzban, Khaled Kamal, Moataz Hisham, Mourad Makram, Amr Gamal, Nelly Karim, and the late Maha Abou Ouf.
The pair have written and directed respectively and Hitch star Paula Patton is starring as the nation continues to ramp up its TV offering.
Airing on streamer Shahid VIP later this month, the show follows Ibrahim, who secures a gigantic project to redevelop a Cairo slum on the day is his wife is diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor. Refusing to accept the prognosis, Ibrahim tries everything in his power to save her, including promising his soul to Iblis, Aka the devil, after his death.
The show stars Patton along with Amr Youssef, Aïcha Ben Ahmed, Fathy Abdel Wahab, Yaqoub Alfarhan, Ahmed Magdy, Ahmed Al Refaei, Mohamed Yousry, Mohamed Marzban, Khaled Kamal, Moataz Hisham, Mourad Makram, Amr Gamal, Nelly Karim, and the late Maha Abou Ouf.
- 9/12/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
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