“The White Lotus” star Sabrina Impacciatore and Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera play alternate versions of themselves on the final episode of the Italian adaptation of “Call My Agent,” which was released this weekend on pay-tv Sky Italia.
Shot in September 2023, during the real Venice event, the show sees Impacciatore play the fest’s master of ceremonies who, wearing a red gown, disembarks with her agent from a motorboat on the Lido at the Excelsior Hotel dock, greeted by throngs of fans and paparazzi. She then starts acting a bit strange, speaking to Barbera in English instead of Italian and almost falling into the lagoon, as seen in the above exclusive subtitled clip.
Impacciatore, who played Valentina, the hotel manager in the Sicily-set second season of “White Lotus,” was mostly unknown outside of Italy before appearing in the hit HBO show which also gave her domestic career a nice boost.
Shot in September 2023, during the real Venice event, the show sees Impacciatore play the fest’s master of ceremonies who, wearing a red gown, disembarks with her agent from a motorboat on the Lido at the Excelsior Hotel dock, greeted by throngs of fans and paparazzi. She then starts acting a bit strange, speaking to Barbera in English instead of Italian and almost falling into the lagoon, as seen in the above exclusive subtitled clip.
Impacciatore, who played Valentina, the hotel manager in the Sicily-set second season of “White Lotus,” was mostly unknown outside of Italy before appearing in the hit HBO show which also gave her domestic career a nice boost.
- 4/10/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Twin directors Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo, who are known to Berlin Film Festival audiences for stylishly gritty dramas “Boys Cry” and “Bad Tales,” are back with eclectic detective series “Dostoevskij,” premiering in the fest’s Berlinale Special section.
Set in the stark Roman hinterland, the six-episode show — produced by Sky Studios with Rome’s Paco Cinematografica — stars Filippo Timi as Enzo Vitello, a policeman whose mind is warped by an incident involving his daughter Ambra. He winds up on the trail of a ruthless serial killer, nicknamed Dostoevskij because of the letters full of gruesome details that he leaves at crime scenes. Haunted by the killer’s words, the cop embarks on a dangerous solo investigation, getting closer and closer to a disturbing existential truth.
“Dostoevskij,” which marks the D’Innocenzo brothers’ TV debut, stemmed from Sky Studios Italia chief Nils Hartmann asking them if they wanted to create a...
Set in the stark Roman hinterland, the six-episode show — produced by Sky Studios with Rome’s Paco Cinematografica — stars Filippo Timi as Enzo Vitello, a policeman whose mind is warped by an incident involving his daughter Ambra. He winds up on the trail of a ruthless serial killer, nicknamed Dostoevskij because of the letters full of gruesome details that he leaves at crime scenes. Haunted by the killer’s words, the cop embarks on a dangerous solo investigation, getting closer and closer to a disturbing existential truth.
“Dostoevskij,” which marks the D’Innocenzo brothers’ TV debut, stemmed from Sky Studios Italia chief Nils Hartmann asking them if they wanted to create a...
- 2/18/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Sky is bringing its studios and content divisions together under Cécile Frot-Coutaz.
Frot-Coutaz, who joined the Comcast-owned outfit nearly three years ago, has been promoted and will take on an expanded role as CEO of Sky Studios and Chief Content Officer.
She will lead all of Sky’s content business excluding sport while continuing to helm studios. Sky’s UK and Ireland content teams plus Sky News across Europe will report to Frot-Coutaz, including the likes of Content MD Zai Bennett.
The move comes several weeks after Sky revealed UK and Ireland CEO Stephen van Rooyen would be stepping down at the end of February, leaving Sky’s operations in those countries to report directly to CEO Dana Strong.
Projects currently in development will not be impacted by the changes, we understand, and no layoffs will follow.
Meghan Lyvers will continue to oversee original series for Sky Studios, with...
Frot-Coutaz, who joined the Comcast-owned outfit nearly three years ago, has been promoted and will take on an expanded role as CEO of Sky Studios and Chief Content Officer.
She will lead all of Sky’s content business excluding sport while continuing to helm studios. Sky’s UK and Ireland content teams plus Sky News across Europe will report to Frot-Coutaz, including the likes of Content MD Zai Bennett.
The move comes several weeks after Sky revealed UK and Ireland CEO Stephen van Rooyen would be stepping down at the end of February, leaving Sky’s operations in those countries to report directly to CEO Dana Strong.
Projects currently in development will not be impacted by the changes, we understand, and no layoffs will follow.
Meghan Lyvers will continue to oversee original series for Sky Studios, with...
- 2/8/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky Studios CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz is expanding her role to extend across the Comcast-owned media group’s entire U.K. and Ireland content business outside of sports. Her new title will be CEO of Sky Studios and chief content officer.
Zai Bennett, MD of content for Sky U.K. and Ireland, will now report to Frot-Coutaz, who joined Sky in 2021 after leadership stints at Fremantle and YouTube.
Bennett previously reported to Stephen van Rooyen, Sky CEO for U.K. and Ireland, who departs the company this month after 17 years in the job. Bennett will remain responsible for output and performance. His role includes overseeing commissions, acquisitions across the group and managing the Sky Entertainment, Sky Cinema and Sky Kids brands.
Frot-Coutaz already looked after Sky’s comedy and drama across Europe as part of her remit. She will now also lead on U.K. and Ireland content as well as Sky News across Europe,...
Zai Bennett, MD of content for Sky U.K. and Ireland, will now report to Frot-Coutaz, who joined Sky in 2021 after leadership stints at Fremantle and YouTube.
Bennett previously reported to Stephen van Rooyen, Sky CEO for U.K. and Ireland, who departs the company this month after 17 years in the job. Bennett will remain responsible for output and performance. His role includes overseeing commissions, acquisitions across the group and managing the Sky Entertainment, Sky Cinema and Sky Kids brands.
Frot-Coutaz already looked after Sky’s comedy and drama across Europe as part of her remit. She will now also lead on U.K. and Ireland content as well as Sky News across Europe,...
- 2/8/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Sky Studios Italia has unveiled a restructure and new leadership team on the final day of the Mia Market in Rome.
Sonia Rovai, Senior Director of Scripted Productions, is exiting and moving to Fremantle’s Italian website Wildside, where she is taking on the General Manager role.
From today, Sky’s commissioning, in-house productions, content coordination & development, and promotion & talent management departments will all report directly to Nils Hartmann, EVP of Sky Studios Italia.
Paired with the reorganization have been four promotions, with Devils exec Erica Negri upped to lead the commissioning team, Chiara Cucci helming in-house productions, Emanuele Marchesis heading Sky Studios’ content co-ordination and development and Martina Ceramicola taking on promotion and talent management. Rounding out the Sky Studios Italia team are Ivana Kastratovic, Head of Production Management, and Loredana Di Domenico, Head of Business Affairs, who will also report directly to Hartmann.
“I am proud that our...
Sonia Rovai, Senior Director of Scripted Productions, is exiting and moving to Fremantle’s Italian website Wildside, where she is taking on the General Manager role.
From today, Sky’s commissioning, in-house productions, content coordination & development, and promotion & talent management departments will all report directly to Nils Hartmann, EVP of Sky Studios Italia.
Paired with the reorganization have been four promotions, with Devils exec Erica Negri upped to lead the commissioning team, Chiara Cucci helming in-house productions, Emanuele Marchesis heading Sky Studios’ content co-ordination and development and Martina Ceramicola taking on promotion and talent management. Rounding out the Sky Studios Italia team are Ivana Kastratovic, Head of Production Management, and Loredana Di Domenico, Head of Business Affairs, who will also report directly to Hartmann.
“I am proud that our...
- 10/13/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky Studios is developing prequels to “Gomorrah” and “Crime Novel,” the two widely exported Sky Italia original crime series that are considered Italian TV milestones.
News that Sky and ITV-owned production company Cattleya are looking to reboot these two shows with origin stories was announced as Sky Italia celebrates its 20th anniversary with a big bash in Rome.
Sky Italia first ventured into Italian TV production in 2008 with “Romanzo Criminale,” as “Crime Novel” is known in Italian, which is centered around a real Roman heroin-dealing gang. Besides being a hit in Italy, the story also traveled widely. “Gomorrah” (pictured above), which is based on Roberto Saviano’s bestselling Neapolitan mob exposé, launched in 2014. From the outset, this gritty show brought audiences inside the belly of the real Neapolitan criminal underworld, thanks in part to being shot almost entirely in the actual places it portrays. Besides attaining megahit status in Italy,...
News that Sky and ITV-owned production company Cattleya are looking to reboot these two shows with origin stories was announced as Sky Italia celebrates its 20th anniversary with a big bash in Rome.
Sky Italia first ventured into Italian TV production in 2008 with “Romanzo Criminale,” as “Crime Novel” is known in Italian, which is centered around a real Roman heroin-dealing gang. Besides being a hit in Italy, the story also traveled widely. “Gomorrah” (pictured above), which is based on Roberto Saviano’s bestselling Neapolitan mob exposé, launched in 2014. From the outset, this gritty show brought audiences inside the belly of the real Neapolitan criminal underworld, thanks in part to being shot almost entirely in the actual places it portrays. Besides attaining megahit status in Italy,...
- 10/3/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Sky Studios is developing prequel series to Gomorrah and Romanzo Criminale.
The pair of shows are widely regarded to be two of the most successful Italian TV series of all time.
Inspired by Roberto Saviano’s bestseller, the untitled Gomorrah prequel from ITV Studios-backed Cattleya will spotlight the criminal rise of boss Pietro Savastano, from when he was a kid on the streets to becoming the most important and ruthless boss in Naples. Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli will once again work on the screenplay.
Gomorrah ran for five seasons on Sky between 2014 and 2021, totalling 58 episodes, while a 2008 film of the same name was loosely based on the book. The TV show starred the likes of Marco D’Amore, Salvatore Esposito and Fortunato Cerlino.
Meanwhile, Romanzo Criminale – La serie will focus on the years before the rise of the Banda della Magliana criminal organization, as recounted in the two seasons of the original series,...
The pair of shows are widely regarded to be two of the most successful Italian TV series of all time.
Inspired by Roberto Saviano’s bestseller, the untitled Gomorrah prequel from ITV Studios-backed Cattleya will spotlight the criminal rise of boss Pietro Savastano, from when he was a kid on the streets to becoming the most important and ruthless boss in Naples. Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli will once again work on the screenplay.
Gomorrah ran for five seasons on Sky between 2014 and 2021, totalling 58 episodes, while a 2008 film of the same name was loosely based on the book. The TV show starred the likes of Marco D’Amore, Salvatore Esposito and Fortunato Cerlino.
Meanwhile, Romanzo Criminale – La serie will focus on the years before the rise of the Banda della Magliana criminal organization, as recounted in the two seasons of the original series,...
- 10/3/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Emmy-nominated “The White Lotus” star Sabrina Impacciatore will play the Venice Film Festival’s master of ceremonies in the upcoming second season of the Italian version of “Call My Agent,” which will also feature a cameo by Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera.
Impacciatore, wearing a red gown, disembarked from a water taxi at the Excelsior Hotel pier on the Venice Lido on Saturday welcomed by Barbera, as cameras rolled for a key scene in the show. Actors playing photographers for the scene and also real paparazzi snapped away upon her arrival.
“’Call My Agent – Italia’ is a true love letter to cinema, its rituals and its protagonists,” Nils Hartmann, EVP of Sky Studios for Italy and Germany, said in a statement. “It is therefore a truly great emotion, and at the same time a great motive of pride for us, to be able to shoot the second season of such...
Impacciatore, wearing a red gown, disembarked from a water taxi at the Excelsior Hotel pier on the Venice Lido on Saturday welcomed by Barbera, as cameras rolled for a key scene in the show. Actors playing photographers for the scene and also real paparazzi snapped away upon her arrival.
“’Call My Agent – Italia’ is a true love letter to cinema, its rituals and its protagonists,” Nils Hartmann, EVP of Sky Studios for Italy and Germany, said in a statement. “It is therefore a truly great emotion, and at the same time a great motive of pride for us, to be able to shoot the second season of such...
- 9/11/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Actress Sabrina Impacciatore, known for her work in ‘White Lotus’, has joined the adaptation of ‘Call My Agent’ Season 2.
Sky Italia celebrated its 20-year anniversary on Tuesday by announcing a rich slate of upcoming originals, including a second season of the Italian adaptation of ‘Call My Agent’, reports ‘Variety’.
The Sky Italia originals slate comprises previously announced high-end drama ‘M. Son of the Century’ by British director Joe Wright, alongside less lavish shows in various stages – most of which have international potential.
It underscores how the Italian unit of the Comcast-owned pay-tv service continues to be a major Italian industry driver. While Sky’s German unit, which is believed to be up for sale, has put production on pause, Sky Italia is cranking out Italian originals through the platform’s Sky Studios unit at a steady pace, showing no signs of a slowdown.
“We are at the level of eight Sky originals a year,...
Sky Italia celebrated its 20-year anniversary on Tuesday by announcing a rich slate of upcoming originals, including a second season of the Italian adaptation of ‘Call My Agent’, reports ‘Variety’.
The Sky Italia originals slate comprises previously announced high-end drama ‘M. Son of the Century’ by British director Joe Wright, alongside less lavish shows in various stages – most of which have international potential.
It underscores how the Italian unit of the Comcast-owned pay-tv service continues to be a major Italian industry driver. While Sky’s German unit, which is believed to be up for sale, has put production on pause, Sky Italia is cranking out Italian originals through the platform’s Sky Studios unit at a steady pace, showing no signs of a slowdown.
“We are at the level of eight Sky originals a year,...
- 7/5/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Sky Italia celebrated its 20-year anniversary on Tuesday by announcing a rich slate of upcoming originals, including a second season of the Italian adaptation of “Call My Agent,” which will see “The White Lotus” star Sabrina Impacciatore joining the cast.
Impacciatore’s agent is Gersh and her management is Mgmt.
The Sky Italia originals slate comprises previously announced high-end drama “M. Son of the Century” by British director Joe Wright, alongside less lavish shows in various stages – most of which have international potential. It underscores how the Italian unit of the Comcast-owned pay-tv service continues to be a major Italian industry driver.
While Sky’s German unit, which is believed to be up for sale, has put production on pause, Sky Italia is cranking out Italian originals through the platform’s Sky Studios unit at a steady pace, showing no signs of a slowdown.
“We are at the level...
Impacciatore’s agent is Gersh and her management is Mgmt.
The Sky Italia originals slate comprises previously announced high-end drama “M. Son of the Century” by British director Joe Wright, alongside less lavish shows in various stages – most of which have international potential. It underscores how the Italian unit of the Comcast-owned pay-tv service continues to be a major Italian industry driver.
While Sky’s German unit, which is believed to be up for sale, has put production on pause, Sky Italia is cranking out Italian originals through the platform’s Sky Studios unit at a steady pace, showing no signs of a slowdown.
“We are at the level...
- 7/4/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Streaming
Amazon Freevee has released the first images of Mischa Barton in the revival of long-running Australian soap “Neighbours,” production on which started April 17 in Melbourne. The images also feature cast members Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher.
Alan Fletcher, Mischa Barton, Jackie Woodburne
The new series will premiere exclusively for free on Amazon Freevee in the U.K. and U.S. this fall and will include streaming rights to thousands of episodes from the previous seasons, which will be available prior to the new series’ premiere. The series will also stream on SVOD counterpart Prime Video in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Australia’s Network 10, the home of “Neighbours” for 36 years, will retain first-run rights in the country.
The new season is a continuation of the long-running daily drama series about the lives, loves and challenges of the residents on Ramsay Street in Erinsborough, Australia, a fictional suburb of Melbourne.
Amazon Freevee has released the first images of Mischa Barton in the revival of long-running Australian soap “Neighbours,” production on which started April 17 in Melbourne. The images also feature cast members Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher.
Alan Fletcher, Mischa Barton, Jackie Woodburne
The new series will premiere exclusively for free on Amazon Freevee in the U.K. and U.S. this fall and will include streaming rights to thousands of episodes from the previous seasons, which will be available prior to the new series’ premiere. The series will also stream on SVOD counterpart Prime Video in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Australia’s Network 10, the home of “Neighbours” for 36 years, will retain first-run rights in the country.
The new season is a continuation of the long-running daily drama series about the lives, loves and challenges of the residents on Ramsay Street in Erinsborough, Australia, a fictional suburb of Melbourne.
- 5/16/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
London TV Screenings Unveils 2024 Dates
The fourth annual London TV Screenings has unveiled dates, as the gathering of sales houses continues to define itself as one of the most important events in the TV calendar. Next year’s fourth Screenings, which in 2023 saw more than two-dozen distributors host events for buyers, will take place Monday 26 February to Friday 1 March 2024. The Screenings are organized by ITV Studios, All3Media International, Banijay Rights, eOne and Fremantle but many others sign on through the year, and last year the total number was 28. A London TV Screenings spokesperson said: “The third annual London TV Screenings proved that the event is firmly embedded in the annual buying calendar, packing out the largest and most prestigious screening venues London has to offer.”
‘Reginald The Vampire’ Maker Thunderbird Explores Sale With Acf
Canadian Reginald the Vampire maker Thunderbird Entertainment is exploring sales options after engaging Acf Investment Bank,...
The fourth annual London TV Screenings has unveiled dates, as the gathering of sales houses continues to define itself as one of the most important events in the TV calendar. Next year’s fourth Screenings, which in 2023 saw more than two-dozen distributors host events for buyers, will take place Monday 26 February to Friday 1 March 2024. The Screenings are organized by ITV Studios, All3Media International, Banijay Rights, eOne and Fremantle but many others sign on through the year, and last year the total number was 28. A London TV Screenings spokesperson said: “The third annual London TV Screenings proved that the event is firmly embedded in the annual buying calendar, packing out the largest and most prestigious screening venues London has to offer.”
‘Reginald The Vampire’ Maker Thunderbird Explores Sale With Acf
Canadian Reginald the Vampire maker Thunderbird Entertainment is exploring sales options after engaging Acf Investment Bank,...
- 5/16/2023
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The camera pans upwards. We see a balcony and a sliver of a window. A voice calls “Action!” Luca Marinelli emerges, dressed as Benito Mussolini. He looks down on the street below. Suddenly, he turns to the camera and speaks directly to the audience, the image of charm and seduction: “I’ve always loved dogs,” he quips.
This scene sums up the essence of M. Son of the Century, the new eight-episode limited series, directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Darkest Hour) and produced by Sky Studios and Lorenzo Mieli’s Fremantle-owned The Apartment Pictures, in collaboration with Pathé and Small Forward. The series may be, as Nils Hartmann, executive vp of Sky Studios Italy and Germany says, repeatedly, the “largest and most ambitious” project the Comcast-owned studio is working on, but what stands out is the show’s unique tone and rhythm. The story of the rise of...
This scene sums up the essence of M. Son of the Century, the new eight-episode limited series, directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Darkest Hour) and produced by Sky Studios and Lorenzo Mieli’s Fremantle-owned The Apartment Pictures, in collaboration with Pathé and Small Forward. The series may be, as Nils Hartmann, executive vp of Sky Studios Italy and Germany says, repeatedly, the “largest and most ambitious” project the Comcast-owned studio is working on, but what stands out is the show’s unique tone and rhythm. The story of the rise of...
- 4/17/2023
- by Gianmaria Tammaro
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Speaking at a panel organized by Series Mania’s Forum, executives from Sky Studios touted flexibility and autonomy as their keys to success, teasing further synergies with fellow Comcast-owned services like Peacock and SkyShowtime while emphasizing that such broadcast bids were but one option among many.
“[We take things] very case-by-case,” said Meghan Lyvers, director of original drama at Sky Studios U.K. “Not all projects that we develop as Sky Originals in Europe will go into the SkyShowtime cluster of territories, [but] they can. And we [welcome] this flexibility, because it allows projects to come to us with other territories attached.”
Prompted by Variety’s Manori Ravindran, and flanked onstage by colleagues Nils Hartmann, Tobias Rosen and Sonia Rovai from Sky Studios Germany and Italy, Lyvers accented Sky Studios’ wider commissioning activities, saying: “This is the team that develops, commissions, or buys series, and then [either] makes or programs them on Sky as Sky Originals.
“[We take things] very case-by-case,” said Meghan Lyvers, director of original drama at Sky Studios U.K. “Not all projects that we develop as Sky Originals in Europe will go into the SkyShowtime cluster of territories, [but] they can. And we [welcome] this flexibility, because it allows projects to come to us with other territories attached.”
Prompted by Variety’s Manori Ravindran, and flanked onstage by colleagues Nils Hartmann, Tobias Rosen and Sonia Rovai from Sky Studios Germany and Italy, Lyvers accented Sky Studios’ wider commissioning activities, saying: “This is the team that develops, commissions, or buys series, and then [either] makes or programs them on Sky as Sky Originals.
- 3/21/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Luca Marinelli has been cast as Benito Mussolini in Joe Wright’s upcoming biopic series for Sky.
Variety revealed last month that Wright, who recently finished promoting his feature film “Cyrano,” was set to direct the series chronicling Mussolini’s rise to power against a backdrop of fascism and World War II.
Wright also helmed Winston Churchill drama “Darkest Hour,” which saw Gary Oldman nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of the former British prime minister.
“M. Son of the Century” is based on Antonio Scurati’s book and is set to go into production at Cinecittà Studios in Italy over the next few weeks. Wright will direct all eight episodes.
Marinelli is an award-winning actor who’s been feted at festivals including Venice and Berlin. He has appeared in “The Old Guard” alongside Charlize Theron and is also known for his roles in “Martin Eden” and “They Call Me Jeeg.
Variety revealed last month that Wright, who recently finished promoting his feature film “Cyrano,” was set to direct the series chronicling Mussolini’s rise to power against a backdrop of fascism and World War II.
Wright also helmed Winston Churchill drama “Darkest Hour,” which saw Gary Oldman nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of the former British prime minister.
“M. Son of the Century” is based on Antonio Scurati’s book and is set to go into production at Cinecittà Studios in Italy over the next few weeks. Wright will direct all eight episodes.
Marinelli is an award-winning actor who’s been feted at festivals including Venice and Berlin. He has appeared in “The Old Guard” alongside Charlize Theron and is also known for his roles in “Martin Eden” and “They Call Me Jeeg.
- 10/18/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Luca Marinelli to Play Mussolini in Joe Wright’s Historic Series ‘M. Son of the Century’ (Exclusive)
Click here to read the full article.
Italian star Luca Marinelli (The Old Guard, Eight Mountains, Martin Eden) has signed on to play Benito Mussolini in M. Son of the Century, the new eight-part series from Atonement director Joe Wright, which traces the rise to power of the fascist leader.
The series, commissioned as a Sky Original, is based on Antonio Scurati’s bestselling novel. The series will cover the time period from the founding of Italian fascist party in 1919 through to 1925, just before Mussolini seized power in Italy, when he gave his infamous speech in parliament following the murder of socialist MP Giacomo Matteotti. Like the novel, the series aims to tell the history of a country that surrendered to dictatorship and the story of a man who was able to rise from the ashes time and time again.
Marinelli, who has just wrapped filming on the sequel to Netflix’s The Old Guard,...
Italian star Luca Marinelli (The Old Guard, Eight Mountains, Martin Eden) has signed on to play Benito Mussolini in M. Son of the Century, the new eight-part series from Atonement director Joe Wright, which traces the rise to power of the fascist leader.
The series, commissioned as a Sky Original, is based on Antonio Scurati’s bestselling novel. The series will cover the time period from the founding of Italian fascist party in 1919 through to 1925, just before Mussolini seized power in Italy, when he gave his infamous speech in parliament following the murder of socialist MP Giacomo Matteotti. Like the novel, the series aims to tell the history of a country that surrendered to dictatorship and the story of a man who was able to rise from the ashes time and time again.
Marinelli, who has just wrapped filming on the sequel to Netflix’s The Old Guard,...
- 10/18/2022
- by Gianmaria Tammaro
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Django is back.
The coffin-dragging, quick-draw gunslinger character introduced in Sergio Corbucci’s 1966 Spaghetti Western classic, which inspired dozens of sequels, spinoffs and tributes, most famously Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, has finally arrived on the small screen.
Sky’s 10-episode Django, which has its world premiere at the Rome Film Festival on Sunday, Oct. 16, is billed as a reimagining not just of Django, but of the Western genre itself.
Set, like the original film, in the period after the American Civil War, the series combines plot elements from both Django and its official 1987 sequel Django Strikes Again, themes from Tarantino’s film — particularly the role of Black people and freed slaves in old West — as well as adding several original ideas of its own. Even Django’s famous weapons-packed coffin makes an appearance, though in a very different setting than the original.
Django is back.
The coffin-dragging, quick-draw gunslinger character introduced in Sergio Corbucci’s 1966 Spaghetti Western classic, which inspired dozens of sequels, spinoffs and tributes, most famously Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, has finally arrived on the small screen.
Sky’s 10-episode Django, which has its world premiere at the Rome Film Festival on Sunday, Oct. 16, is billed as a reimagining not just of Django, but of the Western genre itself.
Set, like the original film, in the period after the American Civil War, the series combines plot elements from both Django and its official 1987 sequel Django Strikes Again, themes from Tarantino’s film — particularly the role of Black people and freed slaves in old West — as well as adding several original ideas of its own. Even Django’s famous weapons-packed coffin makes an appearance, though in a very different setting than the original.
- 10/11/2022
- by Gianmaria Tammaro
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Italian twin directors Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo have started shooting in Rome on “Dostoevskij,” an eclectic detective drama involving a policeman with a troubled past.
This first TV series written and directed by the D’Innocenzo brothers – who are known on the festival circuit for dark dramas “Boy’s Cry,” “Bad Tales” and “America Latina” – is an in-house Sky Studios production produced by the Comcast-owned pay-tv player with Rome’s Paco Cinematografica.
Filippo Timi stars as Enzo Vitello, a sharp detective with a troubled past, who winds up on the blood trail of a ruthless serial killer, nicknamed Dostoevskij because of letters full of gruesome details that he leaves at crime scenes.
Haunted by the killer’s words, the policeman embarks on a dangerous solo investigation, getting closer and closer to a disturbing existential truth.
Rounding out the “Dostoevskij” cast are Gabriel Montesi (“Bad Tales”), Carlotta Gamba (“Dante”) and...
This first TV series written and directed by the D’Innocenzo brothers – who are known on the festival circuit for dark dramas “Boy’s Cry,” “Bad Tales” and “America Latina” – is an in-house Sky Studios production produced by the Comcast-owned pay-tv player with Rome’s Paco Cinematografica.
Filippo Timi stars as Enzo Vitello, a sharp detective with a troubled past, who winds up on the blood trail of a ruthless serial killer, nicknamed Dostoevskij because of letters full of gruesome details that he leaves at crime scenes.
Haunted by the killer’s words, the policeman embarks on a dangerous solo investigation, getting closer and closer to a disturbing existential truth.
Rounding out the “Dostoevskij” cast are Gabriel Montesi (“Bad Tales”), Carlotta Gamba (“Dante”) and...
- 10/5/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Filming for the fourth season of the Sky Original series “Das Boot” wrapped in Malta last week, and the first look images have been released. NBCUniversal Global Distribution is handling international sales of the series, which is produced by Bavaria Fiction, on behalf of Sky Studios.
In Season 4, which is coming to Sky’s premium channel Sky Atlantic and streaming service Now next year, the brutal submarine war in the Mediterranean Sea comes to a head, while intrigues and secrets spread through Berlin. Resistance to the Nazis grows within the Kriegsmarine’s own ranks.
Rick Okon as Klaus Hoffmann, Sascha Gersak as Rahn, Jakub Horak as Bischof
After a shared tragedy, the siblings Klaus (Rick Okon) and Hannie Hoffmann (Rosalie Thomass) find their way back to each other. Both fight for their cause. Klaus has returned to the German Reich from Portugal. As a submarine commander he travels to Naples...
In Season 4, which is coming to Sky’s premium channel Sky Atlantic and streaming service Now next year, the brutal submarine war in the Mediterranean Sea comes to a head, while intrigues and secrets spread through Berlin. Resistance to the Nazis grows within the Kriegsmarine’s own ranks.
Rick Okon as Klaus Hoffmann, Sascha Gersak as Rahn, Jakub Horak as Bischof
After a shared tragedy, the siblings Klaus (Rick Okon) and Hannie Hoffmann (Rosalie Thomass) find their way back to each other. Both fight for their cause. Klaus has returned to the German Reich from Portugal. As a submarine commander he travels to Naples...
- 9/22/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Tobias Rosen will oversee drama slate including Frankenstein.
Sky Studios Deutschland has appointed Oscar-nominated Warner Bros exec producer Tobias Rosen to a newly-created scripted series role.
Rosen has been appointed vice-president at the German arm of the production business, where he will oversee an ambitious scripted slate which includes seven-part dystopian drama Helgoland 513 and a reboot of Mary Shelley’s epic gothic novel Frankenstein.
He will work closely with Elke Walthelm, Sky Deutschland’s executive vice-president of content plus Sky’s wider content teams in the UK and Italy, as Sky Deutschland aims to build on the success of previous...
Sky Studios Deutschland has appointed Oscar-nominated Warner Bros exec producer Tobias Rosen to a newly-created scripted series role.
Rosen has been appointed vice-president at the German arm of the production business, where he will oversee an ambitious scripted slate which includes seven-part dystopian drama Helgoland 513 and a reboot of Mary Shelley’s epic gothic novel Frankenstein.
He will work closely with Elke Walthelm, Sky Deutschland’s executive vice-president of content plus Sky’s wider content teams in the UK and Italy, as Sky Deutschland aims to build on the success of previous...
- 8/2/2022
- by John Elmes Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Sky Studios has appointed Tobias Rosen as vice president of Sky Studios Deutschland. He is set to join in the fall.
In the role Rosen will oversee scripted originals across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, already home to shows including “Babylon Berlin” and “Das Boot.” He will report to Sky Studios Deutschland and Italia EVP Nils Hartmann and work alongside Sky Deutschland’s content EVP Elke Walthelm as well as the U.K. and Italian content teams.
Rosen joins from Warner Bros. International Television Production Germany, where, in his role as executive producer, he acquired, developed and produced projects. Among those under his purview were “Sultan City,” “Love Addicts” and “Club Las Piranjas 2.0.” Previously he was a producer at Relevant Film GmbH.
The Hamburg Media School graduate has also been nominated for an Oscar for his best short live action film “Watu Wote.”
Meanwhile Frank Jastfelder has been upped to Sky...
In the role Rosen will oversee scripted originals across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, already home to shows including “Babylon Berlin” and “Das Boot.” He will report to Sky Studios Deutschland and Italia EVP Nils Hartmann and work alongside Sky Deutschland’s content EVP Elke Walthelm as well as the U.K. and Italian content teams.
Rosen joins from Warner Bros. International Television Production Germany, where, in his role as executive producer, he acquired, developed and produced projects. Among those under his purview were “Sultan City,” “Love Addicts” and “Club Las Piranjas 2.0.” Previously he was a producer at Relevant Film GmbH.
The Hamburg Media School graduate has also been nominated for an Oscar for his best short live action film “Watu Wote.”
Meanwhile Frank Jastfelder has been upped to Sky...
- 8/2/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Former Warner Bros. Television Deutschland executive Tobias Rosen has been appointed a new VP at Sky Studios Deutschland, the German production arm of Comcast-owned European pay TV giant Sky, tasked with overseeing the company’s growing slate of German-language originals.
At WB, Rosen developed and produced series such as Love Addicts for Amazon Prime. Before joining Warners, he worked as a producer with Relevant Film, where his credits included 2019’s Rocca Changes the World, which won the German film prize for best children’s film.
In his newly-created role at Sky, Rosen will oversee the pay-tv group’s ambitious slate of scripted Originals across the company’s German-speaking territories. Sky Deutschland has found international success with local-language dramas including Babylon Berlin and Das Boot and is looking to ramp up its originals output to better compete with international streaming services.
Rosen is...
Former Warner Bros. Television Deutschland executive Tobias Rosen has been appointed a new VP at Sky Studios Deutschland, the German production arm of Comcast-owned European pay TV giant Sky, tasked with overseeing the company’s growing slate of German-language originals.
At WB, Rosen developed and produced series such as Love Addicts for Amazon Prime. Before joining Warners, he worked as a producer with Relevant Film, where his credits included 2019’s Rocca Changes the World, which won the German film prize for best children’s film.
In his newly-created role at Sky, Rosen will oversee the pay-tv group’s ambitious slate of scripted Originals across the company’s German-speaking territories. Sky Deutschland has found international success with local-language dramas including Babylon Berlin and Das Boot and is looking to ramp up its originals output to better compete with international streaming services.
Rosen is...
- 8/2/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sky Studios has poached Academy Award-nominated producer Tobias Rosen from Warner Bros. International Television Production to the newly-created role of Vice President in Germany.
Rosen will oversee the Das Boot and Babylon Berlin producer’s slate across Germany, Austria and Switzerland as it targets a “significant increase” in drama and comedy investment. The Comcast-owned pay-tv giant’s production arm is producing 200 originals this year alone.
Rosen joins a few months after his new boss Nils Hartmann was promoted to oversee Sky Studios in Germany and Italy, and the two will work closely alongside Elke Walthelm, Sky Deutschland’s EVP Content, and Sky’s wider content teams in the UK and Italy.
During his Warner stint, he was responsible for acquiring, developing and producing the likes of Disney+’s Sultan City, Amazon Prime Video’s Love Addicts and Rtl+’s Club Las Piranjas. Past employers include Relevant Film GmbH and...
Rosen will oversee the Das Boot and Babylon Berlin producer’s slate across Germany, Austria and Switzerland as it targets a “significant increase” in drama and comedy investment. The Comcast-owned pay-tv giant’s production arm is producing 200 originals this year alone.
Rosen joins a few months after his new boss Nils Hartmann was promoted to oversee Sky Studios in Germany and Italy, and the two will work closely alongside Elke Walthelm, Sky Deutschland’s EVP Content, and Sky’s wider content teams in the UK and Italy.
During his Warner stint, he was responsible for acquiring, developing and producing the likes of Disney+’s Sultan City, Amazon Prime Video’s Love Addicts and Rtl+’s Club Las Piranjas. Past employers include Relevant Film GmbH and...
- 8/2/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Italian actor and director Valeria Golino is set to make her debut as a TV series director with “The Art of Joy,” an erotically charged female empowerment drama set in early 20th-century Sicily and produced by Sky Studios.
Golino’s high-end period skein about a Sicilian young woman named Modesta, born into an impoverished family in early 1900 and driven by a strong belief that she’s destined for a better life, was announced during a Sky Italy presentation in Rome where the pay-tv operator unveiled its upcoming lineup of 60 Italian originals – series and films – for 2022, most of which have been already announced.
The presentation’s standout, revealed for the first time, is “The Art of Joy,” which is based on an epic, and highly erotic, feminist novel by the late Italian author and actor Goliarda Sapienza.
“Art of Joy” has been a longtime passion project for Golino, who was very...
Golino’s high-end period skein about a Sicilian young woman named Modesta, born into an impoverished family in early 1900 and driven by a strong belief that she’s destined for a better life, was announced during a Sky Italy presentation in Rome where the pay-tv operator unveiled its upcoming lineup of 60 Italian originals – series and films – for 2022, most of which have been already announced.
The presentation’s standout, revealed for the first time, is “The Art of Joy,” which is based on an epic, and highly erotic, feminist novel by the late Italian author and actor Goliarda Sapienza.
“Art of Joy” has been a longtime passion project for Golino, who was very...
- 7/14/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Commissions
Sky original drama series “The Lovers,” starring Johnny Flynn (“Beast”) and Roisin Gallagher (“The Fall”) has commenced production. The six-part series, written by playwright David Ireland (“Cyprus Avenue”) and directed by Justin Martin (“Together”), follows Janet (Gallagher), a foul-mouthed, disaffected Belfast supermarket worker and Seamus (Flynn) a self-centred, political broadcaster with what looks to be a perfect London life and a celebrity girlfriend. It is produced by Drama Republic, in association with Sky Studios and will available on Sky Atlantic and streamer Now in 2023.
The series was commissioned by Gabriel Silver, director of commissioning for drama at Sky Studios, for Zai Bennett, MD of content at Sky U.K. Roanna Benn and Rebecca de Souza are executive producers for Drama Republic, with commissioning editors Liz Lewin and Manpreet Dosanjh as executive producers for Sky Studios. Hannah Pescod also serves as executive producer, with Chris Martin as producer. NBCUniversal Global Distribution...
Sky original drama series “The Lovers,” starring Johnny Flynn (“Beast”) and Roisin Gallagher (“The Fall”) has commenced production. The six-part series, written by playwright David Ireland (“Cyprus Avenue”) and directed by Justin Martin (“Together”), follows Janet (Gallagher), a foul-mouthed, disaffected Belfast supermarket worker and Seamus (Flynn) a self-centred, political broadcaster with what looks to be a perfect London life and a celebrity girlfriend. It is produced by Drama Republic, in association with Sky Studios and will available on Sky Atlantic and streamer Now in 2023.
The series was commissioned by Gabriel Silver, director of commissioning for drama at Sky Studios, for Zai Bennett, MD of content at Sky U.K. Roanna Benn and Rebecca de Souza are executive producers for Drama Republic, with commissioning editors Liz Lewin and Manpreet Dosanjh as executive producers for Sky Studios. Hannah Pescod also serves as executive producer, with Chris Martin as producer. NBCUniversal Global Distribution...
- 6/28/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
A reimagining of Mary Shelley’s horror classic Frankenstein, a 1950s drama about the Nazi scientists who helped create the U.S. space program and a post-apocalyptic tale set on a North Sea island are among the new original series unveiled Tuesday by Sky Deutschland, the German arm of Comcast’s European pay TV group Sky.
Sky has commissioned German director Robert Schwenkte (R.E.D., Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins) to helm seven-part sci-fi series Helgoland 513: 2034, based on his original script. The post-apocalyptic drama imagines a world in which the North Sea island of Helgoland has become the last safe haven for humanity. But the totalitarian society in charge dictates that only 513 people be allowed to live on the island, with every resident given a “social ranking” according to their “usefulness.” All the while, a dangerous force from the mainland is...
A reimagining of Mary Shelley’s horror classic Frankenstein, a 1950s drama about the Nazi scientists who helped create the U.S. space program and a post-apocalyptic tale set on a North Sea island are among the new original series unveiled Tuesday by Sky Deutschland, the German arm of Comcast’s European pay TV group Sky.
Sky has commissioned German director Robert Schwenkte (R.E.D., Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins) to helm seven-part sci-fi series Helgoland 513: 2034, based on his original script. The post-apocalyptic drama imagines a world in which the North Sea island of Helgoland has become the last safe haven for humanity. But the totalitarian society in charge dictates that only 513 people be allowed to live on the island, with every resident given a “social ranking” according to their “usefulness.” All the while, a dangerous force from the mainland is...
- 6/28/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
An apocalyptic drama from the makes of Deutschland 83, a retelling of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and an emotionally-driven series set in Alabama are European giant Sky Deutschland’s latest trio of original dramas.
Ahead of the satellite broadcaster’s launch of original drama Munich Games tonight at the Munich Film Festival, three Sky Studios shows have been unveiled: Helgoland 513, Frankenstein Untold and Huntsville Al. The latter two are in development, while the former has been greenlit.
Helgoland is set in 2034 after after a global apocalypse, where the North Sea island of Helgoland has become humanity’s last safe haven. A totalitarian society has been established that only allows 513 people on the island and as resources are scarce, an inhumane ‘social ranking’ system evaluates the lives of the inhabitants according to their ‘usefulness.’ At there same time, a dangerous force from the mainland prepares to invade.
Written and directed by Robert Schwentke, the seven-part series will begin filming later this year and comes from Deutschland 83 producer UFA Fiction in association with Sky Studios.
Frankenstein Untold is billed as “a radical reimagining of Mary Shelley’s fantasy classic.” The synopsis reveals “intense and emotionally complex drama” is “told through the eyes of eight powerful characters” and explores the philosophical and political depths of the novel, centering around themes, such as the search for love and belonging, as well as revenge.” Set in 1816, locations include dirty streets of Ingolstadt, Germany, Switzerland’s Lake Geneva, and the vast ice desert of the North Pole.
Philipp Stölzl is creator and director, with the series currently in development with Neue Schönhauser Film (Back on Track).
Huntsville Al takes inspiration by “never-before-told, true stories,” and will be an “emotionally intense drama set in the 1950s in the southern town of Huntsville, Alabama.”
It will explore how hundreds of former German Nazi engineers and their families radically transforming the segregated, sleepy little town as the American space industry neared its launch after they were recruited by the US Army for a secret missile project. They dream of reaching the Moon, but the late arrival of one family could endanger the whole endeavour.
Director Achim v. Borries (Babylon Berlin), Nadav Schirman (The Green Prince), Ron Leshem and Amit Cohen created the series, which is currently in development with Zeitsprung, Fremantle’s Italian producer Wildside and Beta Film.
Next Up Event Sets Agenda
Sky Studios CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz and EVP for Deutschland and Italia Nils Hartmann unveiled the series at Sky’s Up Next event in Munich, which came during the same period at the Munich Film Festival. Sky Deutschland is giving Munich Games, its six-part political thriller from creator and writer Michal Aviram (Fauda), director Philipp Kadelbach and writer Martin Behnke. Co-produced by Amusement Park Film, CBS Studios and Sky Studios, it is set 50 years after the Munich Massacre, when Israel’s Olympic team were attacked and taken hostage by terrorists.
At the Next Up event Elke Walthelm, EVP of Content for Sky Deutschland revealed the broadcaster will offer over 60 local and international Sky Original series to customers across the Germany, Austria and Switzerland this year, such as Souls from Geißendörfer Pictures.
Hartmann added: “The new Sky Originals revealed today showcase the breadth of storytelling and creative ambition we are targeting on our original drama slate for Sky Studios Deutschland. We want the creative community in Germany, Austria and Switzerland to bring us their best, boldest and buzziest ideas as we invest further in premium original content for our customers.”...
Ahead of the satellite broadcaster’s launch of original drama Munich Games tonight at the Munich Film Festival, three Sky Studios shows have been unveiled: Helgoland 513, Frankenstein Untold and Huntsville Al. The latter two are in development, while the former has been greenlit.
Helgoland is set in 2034 after after a global apocalypse, where the North Sea island of Helgoland has become humanity’s last safe haven. A totalitarian society has been established that only allows 513 people on the island and as resources are scarce, an inhumane ‘social ranking’ system evaluates the lives of the inhabitants according to their ‘usefulness.’ At there same time, a dangerous force from the mainland prepares to invade.
Written and directed by Robert Schwentke, the seven-part series will begin filming later this year and comes from Deutschland 83 producer UFA Fiction in association with Sky Studios.
Frankenstein Untold is billed as “a radical reimagining of Mary Shelley’s fantasy classic.” The synopsis reveals “intense and emotionally complex drama” is “told through the eyes of eight powerful characters” and explores the philosophical and political depths of the novel, centering around themes, such as the search for love and belonging, as well as revenge.” Set in 1816, locations include dirty streets of Ingolstadt, Germany, Switzerland’s Lake Geneva, and the vast ice desert of the North Pole.
Philipp Stölzl is creator and director, with the series currently in development with Neue Schönhauser Film (Back on Track).
Huntsville Al takes inspiration by “never-before-told, true stories,” and will be an “emotionally intense drama set in the 1950s in the southern town of Huntsville, Alabama.”
It will explore how hundreds of former German Nazi engineers and their families radically transforming the segregated, sleepy little town as the American space industry neared its launch after they were recruited by the US Army for a secret missile project. They dream of reaching the Moon, but the late arrival of one family could endanger the whole endeavour.
Director Achim v. Borries (Babylon Berlin), Nadav Schirman (The Green Prince), Ron Leshem and Amit Cohen created the series, which is currently in development with Zeitsprung, Fremantle’s Italian producer Wildside and Beta Film.
Next Up Event Sets Agenda
Sky Studios CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz and EVP for Deutschland and Italia Nils Hartmann unveiled the series at Sky’s Up Next event in Munich, which came during the same period at the Munich Film Festival. Sky Deutschland is giving Munich Games, its six-part political thriller from creator and writer Michal Aviram (Fauda), director Philipp Kadelbach and writer Martin Behnke. Co-produced by Amusement Park Film, CBS Studios and Sky Studios, it is set 50 years after the Munich Massacre, when Israel’s Olympic team were attacked and taken hostage by terrorists.
At the Next Up event Elke Walthelm, EVP of Content for Sky Deutschland revealed the broadcaster will offer over 60 local and international Sky Original series to customers across the Germany, Austria and Switzerland this year, such as Souls from Geißendörfer Pictures.
Hartmann added: “The new Sky Originals revealed today showcase the breadth of storytelling and creative ambition we are targeting on our original drama slate for Sky Studios Deutschland. We want the creative community in Germany, Austria and Switzerland to bring us their best, boldest and buzziest ideas as we invest further in premium original content for our customers.”...
- 6/28/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Creative Team Talk Sky’s ‘Blocco 181,’ Which Mixes Multi-ethnic Milanese Crime and Three-Way Romance
Gangland warfare and a Romeo and Juliet romance with a twist are the main elements of Sky Studios’ first Italian in-house production ‘Blocco 181,’ which is set against the backdrop of a gritty multi-ethnic Milan that has never appeared on screen before.
The eight-episode show – which launches this week on Sky in the U.K. after making a splash in Italy – is lead-directed by London-based Italian director Giuseppe Capotondi, best known for art-heist thriller “The Burnt Orange Heresy” starring Mick Jagger as a shady art collector.
“It’s a dark fable combining crime, romance, sex, and coming-of-age elements,” said Capotondi who besides directing the series, also co-penned the “Blocco 181” screenplay. Capotondi added that, while rooted in reality, the show’s tone “is closer to a graphic novel than to the type of hyperrealistic series [like Gomorrah] that you can expect from Italy.”
Set on a rundown Milan housing estate known as Blocco 181,...
The eight-episode show – which launches this week on Sky in the U.K. after making a splash in Italy – is lead-directed by London-based Italian director Giuseppe Capotondi, best known for art-heist thriller “The Burnt Orange Heresy” starring Mick Jagger as a shady art collector.
“It’s a dark fable combining crime, romance, sex, and coming-of-age elements,” said Capotondi who besides directing the series, also co-penned the “Blocco 181” screenplay. Capotondi added that, while rooted in reality, the show’s tone “is closer to a graphic novel than to the type of hyperrealistic series [like Gomorrah] that you can expect from Italy.”
Set on a rundown Milan housing estate known as Blocco 181,...
- 6/24/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
M. Son Of The Century is based on Antonio Scurati’s bestselling novel of the same name.
Sky has ordered an eight-part drama chronicling the rise and fall of Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini from My Brilliant Friend indie The Apartment.
M. Son Of The Century is based on Antonio Scurati’s bestselling novel of the same name and will cover the establishment of Fasci Italiani in 1919 through to Mussolini’s parliamentary speech, following the murder of socialist MP Giacomo Matteotti in 1925.
The Italian-language series will also delve into Mussolini’s personal relationships, including with his wife Rachel, his mistress...
Sky has ordered an eight-part drama chronicling the rise and fall of Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini from My Brilliant Friend indie The Apartment.
M. Son Of The Century is based on Antonio Scurati’s bestselling novel of the same name and will cover the establishment of Fasci Italiani in 1919 through to Mussolini’s parliamentary speech, following the murder of socialist MP Giacomo Matteotti in 1925.
The Italian-language series will also delve into Mussolini’s personal relationships, including with his wife Rachel, his mistress...
- 4/6/2022
- by Marian McHugh Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Sky has unveiled a drama series chronicling Benito Mussolini’s rise to power based on Antonio Scurati’s book.
Produced by The Apartment Pictures’ Lorenzo Mieli with Sky Studios and in collaboration with Pathé, M. Son of the Century will cover Mussolini’s story from the founding of Fasci Italiani in 1919 through to the leader’s infamous speech in parliament following the murder of socialist MP Giacomo Matteotti in 1925. The series will also provide viewers with an insight into Mussolini and his personal relationships, including with his wife Rachele, his lover Margherita Sarfatti and with other iconic figures from the time.
Gomorrah and The New Pope writer Stefano Bises is attached, with filming set to start in 2023. Fremantle will handle international sales.
“Antonio Scurati’s book is an unprecedented work in Italian literature, in terms of boldness, originality and accuracy,” said Nils Hartmann, Executive Vice President Sky Studios Deutschland and Italia.
Produced by The Apartment Pictures’ Lorenzo Mieli with Sky Studios and in collaboration with Pathé, M. Son of the Century will cover Mussolini’s story from the founding of Fasci Italiani in 1919 through to the leader’s infamous speech in parliament following the murder of socialist MP Giacomo Matteotti in 1925. The series will also provide viewers with an insight into Mussolini and his personal relationships, including with his wife Rachele, his lover Margherita Sarfatti and with other iconic figures from the time.
Gomorrah and The New Pope writer Stefano Bises is attached, with filming set to start in 2023. Fremantle will handle international sales.
“Antonio Scurati’s book is an unprecedented work in Italian literature, in terms of boldness, originality and accuracy,” said Nils Hartmann, Executive Vice President Sky Studios Deutschland and Italia.
- 4/5/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Italian dictator Benito Mussolini’s rise to power will be chronicled in a new Sky drama, Variety can reveal.
Based on Antonio Scurati’s Premio Strega-winning and international bestselling novel “M. Son of the Century,” which traces the birth of fascism in Italy and Mussolini’s ascent, the eight-part series will be produced by Sky Studios and Fremantle-backed The Apartment in collaboration with Pathé.
The show will cover the period spanning from the founding of Fasci Italiani in 1919 through to Mussolini’s infamous speech in parliament following the murder of socialist MP Giacomo Matteotti in 1925. The series will also provide viewers with an insight into Mussolini and his personal relationships, including with his wife Rachele, his lover Margherita Sarfatti and with other iconic figures from the time.
Like the novel, the series will tell the history of a country that surrendered to dictatorship and the story of a man...
Based on Antonio Scurati’s Premio Strega-winning and international bestselling novel “M. Son of the Century,” which traces the birth of fascism in Italy and Mussolini’s ascent, the eight-part series will be produced by Sky Studios and Fremantle-backed The Apartment in collaboration with Pathé.
The show will cover the period spanning from the founding of Fasci Italiani in 1919 through to Mussolini’s infamous speech in parliament following the murder of socialist MP Giacomo Matteotti in 1925. The series will also provide viewers with an insight into Mussolini and his personal relationships, including with his wife Rachele, his lover Margherita Sarfatti and with other iconic figures from the time.
Like the novel, the series will tell the history of a country that surrendered to dictatorship and the story of a man...
- 4/5/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Following “Gomorrah” and “The Young Pope,” Sky continues to bring to the screen fresh edgy TV series with “The King,” which is Italy’s first prison drama but transcends genre tropes to recount the country’s complex way of contending with evil forces, including terrorism.
The dark skein, currently playing in Italy on Comcast-owned Sky’s pay-tv service –– and premiering internationally in competition at Series Mania –– is the brainchild of Italian A-list actor Luca Zingaretti, best known as the titular character in Italy’s widely exported “Inspector Montalbano” series.
After playing a a simpatico Mafia-fighting Sicilian sleuth in “Montalbano,” Zingaretti “wanted to do a show set in an Italian maximum security penitentiary and play a character who was the head of this jail,” says “The King” producer Lorenzo Mieli.
Zingaretti’s character, named Bruno Testori, is the “supreme ruler” of the San Michele penitentiary, which is packed with hard...
The dark skein, currently playing in Italy on Comcast-owned Sky’s pay-tv service –– and premiering internationally in competition at Series Mania –– is the brainchild of Italian A-list actor Luca Zingaretti, best known as the titular character in Italy’s widely exported “Inspector Montalbano” series.
After playing a a simpatico Mafia-fighting Sicilian sleuth in “Montalbano,” Zingaretti “wanted to do a show set in an Italian maximum security penitentiary and play a character who was the head of this jail,” says “The King” producer Lorenzo Mieli.
Zingaretti’s character, named Bruno Testori, is the “supreme ruler” of the San Michele penitentiary, which is packed with hard...
- 3/19/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Sky have released first look images for a new Sky Original drama, “Unwanted.”
Inspired by the book “Bilal,” an investigative book from journalist Fabrizio Gatti, the eight-part series tells the story of an undercover human rights defender who is helping migrants journey from Africa to Europe as they battle human traffickers and government officials.
Stefano Bises (“Gomorrah”) created and wrote the series in collaboration with with the collaboration of Alessandro Valenti, Bernardo Pellegrini and Michela Straniero. It has just gone into production in Milan, Italy. Marco Bocci (“Fino all’ultimo battito”), pictured above, Jessica Schwarz (“Romy”) and Dada Fungula Bozela (“Snabba Cash”) star alongside Sylvester Groth (“Inglourious Basterds”) and Scot Williams (“Memory”).
They are joined by Hassan Najib, Jonathan Berlin, Jason Derek Prempeh, Cecilia Dazzi, Francesco Acquaroli, Barbara Auer, Marco Palvetti, Denise Capezza, Nuala Peberdy, Samuel Kalambay, Amadou Mbow, Edward Apeagyei, Reshny N’Kouka, Onyinye Odokoro and Massimo De Lorenzo.
Inspired by the book “Bilal,” an investigative book from journalist Fabrizio Gatti, the eight-part series tells the story of an undercover human rights defender who is helping migrants journey from Africa to Europe as they battle human traffickers and government officials.
Stefano Bises (“Gomorrah”) created and wrote the series in collaboration with with the collaboration of Alessandro Valenti, Bernardo Pellegrini and Michela Straniero. It has just gone into production in Milan, Italy. Marco Bocci (“Fino all’ultimo battito”), pictured above, Jessica Schwarz (“Romy”) and Dada Fungula Bozela (“Snabba Cash”) star alongside Sylvester Groth (“Inglourious Basterds”) and Scot Williams (“Memory”).
They are joined by Hassan Najib, Jonathan Berlin, Jason Derek Prempeh, Cecilia Dazzi, Francesco Acquaroli, Barbara Auer, Marco Palvetti, Denise Capezza, Nuala Peberdy, Samuel Kalambay, Amadou Mbow, Edward Apeagyei, Reshny N’Kouka, Onyinye Odokoro and Massimo De Lorenzo.
- 2/23/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Millichip is exiting to “seek new challenges” according to an internal note.
Sky Studios chief content officer Jane Millichip is stepping down from her position after almost a decade at the pay-tv giant.
Millichip is exiting to “seek new challenges” according to an internal note from Sky Studios chief executive Cécile Frot-Coutaz, seen by Broadcast. She will depart in April.
Sky Studios’ editorial execs including UK scripted chiefs Gabriel Silver, Preethi Mavahalli and Jon Mountague, Sky Studios Italy originals chief Nils Hartmann and Rebecca Segal will report directly to Frot-Coutaz.
Meanwhile chief operating officer Caroline Cooper will have an expanded...
Sky Studios chief content officer Jane Millichip is stepping down from her position after almost a decade at the pay-tv giant.
Millichip is exiting to “seek new challenges” according to an internal note from Sky Studios chief executive Cécile Frot-Coutaz, seen by Broadcast. She will depart in April.
Sky Studios’ editorial execs including UK scripted chiefs Gabriel Silver, Preethi Mavahalli and Jon Mountague, Sky Studios Italy originals chief Nils Hartmann and Rebecca Segal will report directly to Frot-Coutaz.
Meanwhile chief operating officer Caroline Cooper will have an expanded...
- 2/8/2022
- by John Elmes Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Sky Studios Chief Content Officer Jane Millichip is departing the Comcast-owned pay-tv giant after nine years amid a wider restructure.
In an internal note sent this morning, seen by Deadline, Sky Studios CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz praised Millichip’s “huge contribution” since she joined to head up production and distribution arm Sky Vision (now Sky Studios) in 2013.
Sky Vision’s revenues skyrocketed from £8M ($10.8M) to £250M ($340M) under Millichip’s leadership, according to Frot-Coutaz, and Millichip has since expanded her role to lead on UK editorial activities that have spawned Sky Studios hits such as A Discovery of Witches and Der Pass.
Frot-Coutaz has restructured the Sky Studios division to “enable us to better deliver on our significant ambition in original content,” with senior execs Gabriel Silver, Preethi Mavahalli, Jon Mountague, Nils Hartmann and Rebecca Segal set to report directly to her when Millichip departs in April.
Chief Operating...
In an internal note sent this morning, seen by Deadline, Sky Studios CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz praised Millichip’s “huge contribution” since she joined to head up production and distribution arm Sky Vision (now Sky Studios) in 2013.
Sky Vision’s revenues skyrocketed from £8M ($10.8M) to £250M ($340M) under Millichip’s leadership, according to Frot-Coutaz, and Millichip has since expanded her role to lead on UK editorial activities that have spawned Sky Studios hits such as A Discovery of Witches and Der Pass.
Frot-Coutaz has restructured the Sky Studios division to “enable us to better deliver on our significant ambition in original content,” with senior execs Gabriel Silver, Preethi Mavahalli, Jon Mountague, Nils Hartmann and Rebecca Segal set to report directly to her when Millichip departs in April.
Chief Operating...
- 2/8/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky executive Jane Millichip, a distribution leader and a driving force behind the company’s sustainability drive, is leaving the company after almost 10 years.
News of the executive’s departure was revealed to staff in a memo from Sky Studios CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz on Tuesday morning. Millichip, who currently serves as chief content officer for Sky Studios, is leaving the company after nine years. She first joined the business in 2013.
Millichip, a well-respected executive in the U.K. industry, made her mark at Sky through her leadership of the company’s in-house distribution banner Sky Vision, which was folded into NBCUniversal International Distribution following Comcast’s acquisition of Sky in 2018.
Under Millichip, Sky Vision grew from £8 million ($10.8 million) in revenues to £250 million ($338 million) in just six years. The executive was also key in growing the company’s investments in independent production companies, such as “Great British Bake Off” outfit Love Productions.
News of the executive’s departure was revealed to staff in a memo from Sky Studios CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz on Tuesday morning. Millichip, who currently serves as chief content officer for Sky Studios, is leaving the company after nine years. She first joined the business in 2013.
Millichip, a well-respected executive in the U.K. industry, made her mark at Sky through her leadership of the company’s in-house distribution banner Sky Vision, which was folded into NBCUniversal International Distribution following Comcast’s acquisition of Sky in 2018.
Under Millichip, Sky Vision grew from £8 million ($10.8 million) in revenues to £250 million ($338 million) in just six years. The executive was also key in growing the company’s investments in independent production companies, such as “Great British Bake Off” outfit Love Productions.
- 2/8/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
The Gucci family saga isn’t quite over.
Just months after the release of Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci” — a film that could see Lady Gaga nominated for her second Oscar — a TV drama and documentary focusing on the Gucci family is in the works from Comcast-backed Sky Studios.
The company is in early stages of development on a high-end TV series, and is in pre-production on a documentary series, both of which will tell “the story of a great family and a great brand,” says producer Nils Hartmann, senior VP for Sky Studios Germany and Italy.
Both projects were brought roughly a year ago to Sky by Marco Belardi for Leone Film Group, which led to an agreement with several members of the Gucci family, including Alessandro Gucci, Guccio Gucci Jr. and Giorgio Gucci. Giorgio Gucci is a young Italian producer who will serve as executive producer on the still-untitled docuseries.
Just months after the release of Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci” — a film that could see Lady Gaga nominated for her second Oscar — a TV drama and documentary focusing on the Gucci family is in the works from Comcast-backed Sky Studios.
The company is in early stages of development on a high-end TV series, and is in pre-production on a documentary series, both of which will tell “the story of a great family and a great brand,” says producer Nils Hartmann, senior VP for Sky Studios Germany and Italy.
Both projects were brought roughly a year ago to Sky by Marco Belardi for Leone Film Group, which led to an agreement with several members of the Gucci family, including Alessandro Gucci, Guccio Gucci Jr. and Giorgio Gucci. Giorgio Gucci is a young Italian producer who will serve as executive producer on the still-untitled docuseries.
- 2/7/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
When HBO Max drops the fifth and final season of Neapolitan gangster saga “Gomorrah” on Jan. 27, it will also mark the end of a convoluted seven-year journey for Italy’s most widely exported TV show.
“In Italian TV, there is a before and after ‘Gomorrah,’” says Nils Hartmann, senior VP of Germany and Italy for Sky Studios, the production arm of the pay TV operator that originated the gritty, hyperrealistic crime skein.
Besides attaining megahit status in Italy, the show has traveled to 190 countries, including the U.S., where it ran into snags due to the misdeeds of Harvey Weinstein and The Weinstein Co.’s 2018 bankruptcy.
“It was a big mess,” says Oliver Bachert, sales chief at Germany’s Beta, which was selling the show.
He notes that on top of thorny rights issues, the moral quandaries and the stigma of the bankruptcy effectively blocked “Gomorrah” on its U.S.
“In Italian TV, there is a before and after ‘Gomorrah,’” says Nils Hartmann, senior VP of Germany and Italy for Sky Studios, the production arm of the pay TV operator that originated the gritty, hyperrealistic crime skein.
Besides attaining megahit status in Italy, the show has traveled to 190 countries, including the U.S., where it ran into snags due to the misdeeds of Harvey Weinstein and The Weinstein Co.’s 2018 bankruptcy.
“It was a big mess,” says Oliver Bachert, sales chief at Germany’s Beta, which was selling the show.
He notes that on top of thorny rights issues, the moral quandaries and the stigma of the bankruptcy effectively blocked “Gomorrah” on its U.S.
- 1/27/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Appointment
Sky Studios has promoted “Gomorrah” and “The New Pope” producer Nils Hartmann to the newly created position of senior VP Sky Studios Deutschland and Italia, reporting into Jane Millichip, chief content officer for Europe.
Hartmann, a native German, will lead the development, commissioning and production of Sky Original dramas and comedies for Sky Deutschland while retaining his current responsibilities for producing scripted Sky Originals for Sky Italia, where he has served since 2003. In the German role, he replaces Marcus Ammon, who is now with Bavaria Fiction.
In his expanded role, Hartmann will work closely with executive VP programming, Sky Deutschland, Elke Walthelm and executive VP programming, Sky Italia, Antonella d’Errico who maintain overall responsibility for Sky’s content offering in Germany and Italy respectively.
“Nils’ ability to spot, nurture and develop ideas, and his strong and deep relationships with talent are second to none,” said Millichip in an internal...
Sky Studios has promoted “Gomorrah” and “The New Pope” producer Nils Hartmann to the newly created position of senior VP Sky Studios Deutschland and Italia, reporting into Jane Millichip, chief content officer for Europe.
Hartmann, a native German, will lead the development, commissioning and production of Sky Original dramas and comedies for Sky Deutschland while retaining his current responsibilities for producing scripted Sky Originals for Sky Italia, where he has served since 2003. In the German role, he replaces Marcus Ammon, who is now with Bavaria Fiction.
In his expanded role, Hartmann will work closely with executive VP programming, Sky Deutschland, Elke Walthelm and executive VP programming, Sky Italia, Antonella d’Errico who maintain overall responsibility for Sky’s content offering in Germany and Italy respectively.
“Nils’ ability to spot, nurture and develop ideas, and his strong and deep relationships with talent are second to none,” said Millichip in an internal...
- 12/10/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Sky Studios’ Devils and Gomorrah producer Nils Hartmann has had his role expanded to oversee both Germany and Italy, replacing Marcus Ammon in the former.
Reporting to Sky Studios Chief Content Officer Jane Millichip and starting immediately, Hartmann, who has been with Sky Italia for almost two decades, will help ramp up the pay-tv giant’s original content offering that will see 60 German and international originals launch soon in Germany, Austria and Switzerland including new series of Das Boot and Babylon Berlin.
Hartmann has overseen successful European hits such as Devils, Gomorrah and The Young Pope during his lengthy tenure.
His promotion to Senior Vice President Sky Studios Deutschland & Italia sees him replace Ammon, who moved to Das Boot producer Bavaria Fiction over the summer. Execs Frank Jastfelder, Oliver Uenzen and Andreas Messerschmidt had been leading the German team in the interim.
Millichip praised Hartmann’s “ability to spot, nurture...
Reporting to Sky Studios Chief Content Officer Jane Millichip and starting immediately, Hartmann, who has been with Sky Italia for almost two decades, will help ramp up the pay-tv giant’s original content offering that will see 60 German and international originals launch soon in Germany, Austria and Switzerland including new series of Das Boot and Babylon Berlin.
Hartmann has overseen successful European hits such as Devils, Gomorrah and The Young Pope during his lengthy tenure.
His promotion to Senior Vice President Sky Studios Deutschland & Italia sees him replace Ammon, who moved to Das Boot producer Bavaria Fiction over the summer. Execs Frank Jastfelder, Oliver Uenzen and Andreas Messerschmidt had been leading the German team in the interim.
Millichip praised Hartmann’s “ability to spot, nurture...
- 12/10/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The fifth and final season of Neapolitan mob series “Gomorrah” was unveiled Monday during an emotionally charged Rome event saluting the end of the gritty, groundbreaking show.
As Nils Hartmann, senior director of Sky Italia original productions, put it during the press conference, in Italian TV “there is a before and after ‘Gomorrah.’”
The hyper-realistic crime skein is Italy’s greatest TV export, having sold to 190 territories since its 2014 launch, despite being subtitled even for Italian audiences, most of whom don’t understand the Neapolitan dialect in which “Gomorrah” is voiced. The show — best known for mixing neorealism with genre conventions and Shakespearean tropes — is produced by ITV Studios-owned Cattleya in collaboration with Germany’s Beta Film.
Plotwise, the final season takes its two lead characters — Ciro Di Marzio, played by actor-turned-director Marco D’Amore, and Gennaro “Genny” Savastano, played by Salvatore Esposito (both pictured) — and their tormented paths to extreme consequences.
As Nils Hartmann, senior director of Sky Italia original productions, put it during the press conference, in Italian TV “there is a before and after ‘Gomorrah.’”
The hyper-realistic crime skein is Italy’s greatest TV export, having sold to 190 territories since its 2014 launch, despite being subtitled even for Italian audiences, most of whom don’t understand the Neapolitan dialect in which “Gomorrah” is voiced. The show — best known for mixing neorealism with genre conventions and Shakespearean tropes — is produced by ITV Studios-owned Cattleya in collaboration with Germany’s Beta Film.
Plotwise, the final season takes its two lead characters — Ciro Di Marzio, played by actor-turned-director Marco D’Amore, and Gennaro “Genny” Savastano, played by Salvatore Esposito (both pictured) — and their tormented paths to extreme consequences.
- 11/15/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
European pay-tv platform Sky will unveil an Italian adaptation of French hit series “Call My Agent,” and thriller series “Europa,” directed by German filmmaker Oliver Hirschbiegel, who helmed the Oscar-nominated “Downfall,” at an event Friday at the Rome Mia Market.
The Italian “Call My Agent” remake is being produced by Palomar, the Rome-based company controlled by France’s Mediawan, which originated the hit show set at a Parisian talent agency (pictured).
“Whereas ‘Call My Agent’ is quintessentially Parisian, this will be quintessentially the [Rome-based] world of Italian cinema,” Nils Hartmann, senior director of Sky Italia original productions, told Variety. “It’s a great homage to Italian cinema and the country’s star system,” he added.
Lisa Nur Sultan, who penned the successful Italian version of “Liar,” is the head writer, while Luca Ribuoli (“The Mafia Only Kills in Summer”) will direct, with plans to start shooting in 2022, and a planned playdate also next year.
The Italian “Call My Agent” remake is being produced by Palomar, the Rome-based company controlled by France’s Mediawan, which originated the hit show set at a Parisian talent agency (pictured).
“Whereas ‘Call My Agent’ is quintessentially Parisian, this will be quintessentially the [Rome-based] world of Italian cinema,” Nils Hartmann, senior director of Sky Italia original productions, told Variety. “It’s a great homage to Italian cinema and the country’s star system,” he added.
Lisa Nur Sultan, who penned the successful Italian version of “Liar,” is the head writer, while Luca Ribuoli (“The Mafia Only Kills in Summer”) will direct, with plans to start shooting in 2022, and a planned playdate also next year.
- 10/15/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Sky Studios has expanded the remit of chief content officer Jane Millichip from just the UK to all of Europe.
Millichip was upped from chief commercial officer to chief content officer last July, overseeing the Comcast-owned studio’s editorial output and production partnerships in the UK. She will now oversee Sky Studios’ editorial operations in Germany and Italy, with respective leaders Marcus Ammon and Nils Hartmann reporting to her.
In an email to staff, outgoing Sky Studios CEO Gary Davey said: “Last year, Jane took on responsibility for Sky Studios content teams in the UK, in addition to her commercial responsibilities. Effective today, Marcus Ammon and Nils Hartmann, our Sky Studios leadership in Germany and Italy, will report to Jane.
“Marcus and Nils are both exceptional talents, deeply respected by the industry and with strong creative instincts; understanding what our customers want and value, both in Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia,...
Millichip was upped from chief commercial officer to chief content officer last July, overseeing the Comcast-owned studio’s editorial output and production partnerships in the UK. She will now oversee Sky Studios’ editorial operations in Germany and Italy, with respective leaders Marcus Ammon and Nils Hartmann reporting to her.
In an email to staff, outgoing Sky Studios CEO Gary Davey said: “Last year, Jane took on responsibility for Sky Studios content teams in the UK, in addition to her commercial responsibilities. Effective today, Marcus Ammon and Nils Hartmann, our Sky Studios leadership in Germany and Italy, will report to Jane.
“Marcus and Nils are both exceptional talents, deeply respected by the industry and with strong creative instincts; understanding what our customers want and value, both in Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia,...
- 3/22/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Long-time Sky executive Jane Millichip has been promoted to chief content officer for Sky Studios, overseeing all of Europe.
Millichip, the former managing director of distributor Sky Vision, was tapped as the studio’s chief content officer for the U.K. in July 2020. Now, her remit has expanded to all of the Comcast-backed pay-tv operator’s markets in Europe, including Germany and Italy.
In a memo to staff, Gary Davey, CEO of Sky Studios, who is retiring later this year, said the move is intended to allow the org to “respond quicker to customer demands, identify new, creative opportunities across Group and work even more closely to deliver content to Sky UK, Italia and Deutschland, working to the briefs set out by [Sky UK director of content Zai Bennett], [Sky Italia head Nicola Maccanico] and [Sky Deutschland executive VP content Elke Walthelm].”
Upon launch of Sky Studios in June 2019, Millichip was named chief commercial officer.
Millichip, the former managing director of distributor Sky Vision, was tapped as the studio’s chief content officer for the U.K. in July 2020. Now, her remit has expanded to all of the Comcast-backed pay-tv operator’s markets in Europe, including Germany and Italy.
In a memo to staff, Gary Davey, CEO of Sky Studios, who is retiring later this year, said the move is intended to allow the org to “respond quicker to customer demands, identify new, creative opportunities across Group and work even more closely to deliver content to Sky UK, Italia and Deutschland, working to the briefs set out by [Sky UK director of content Zai Bennett], [Sky Italia head Nicola Maccanico] and [Sky Deutschland executive VP content Elke Walthelm].”
Upon launch of Sky Studios in June 2019, Millichip was named chief commercial officer.
- 3/22/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Canal Plus and Sky Studios have teamed up on Spaghetti Western TV series “Django” with production set to start in May and Belgian actor Matthias Schoenaerts (“Bullhead”) in the title role.
Co-produced by Italy’s Cattleya, which is controlled by ITV, and France’s Atlantique Productions, “Django” is being described as a high-concept English-language reimagining of the world of “Django,” the cult 1966 Sergio Corbucci Western that launched the career of Italian icon Franco Nero, but with the grit and edginess of today’s premium TV.
The series’ executive producers include Riccardo Tozzi for Cattleya and Olivier Bibas for Atlantique.
The ten-episode show is set in the Wild West in the 1860s and 1870s. “Sarah and John have founded New Babylon, a city of outcasts, full of men and women of all backgrounds, races and creeds, that welcomes everyone with open arms,” reads the synopsis.
“Haunted by the murder of his family eight years earlier,...
Co-produced by Italy’s Cattleya, which is controlled by ITV, and France’s Atlantique Productions, “Django” is being described as a high-concept English-language reimagining of the world of “Django,” the cult 1966 Sergio Corbucci Western that launched the career of Italian icon Franco Nero, but with the grit and edginess of today’s premium TV.
The series’ executive producers include Riccardo Tozzi for Cattleya and Olivier Bibas for Atlantique.
The ten-episode show is set in the Wild West in the 1860s and 1870s. “Sarah and John have founded New Babylon, a city of outcasts, full of men and women of all backgrounds, races and creeds, that welcomes everyone with open arms,” reads the synopsis.
“Haunted by the murder of his family eight years earlier,...
- 2/18/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The Danish Girl and Bullhead actor Matthias Schoenaerts has been cast in the title role of an ambitious Sky and Canal+ reimagining of classic Italian spaghetti western, Django.
The high-concept English-language series is loosely based on Sergio Corbucci’s 1966 feature, and is being made by Cattleya, the ITV Studios-backed company behind Gomorrah. France’s Atlantique Productions is also producing.
The story is set in the Wild West in the 1860s and 1870s. Sarah and John have founded New Babylon, a city of outcasts, full of men and women of all backgrounds, races and creeds, that welcomes everyone with open arms.
Haunted by the murder of his family eight years earlier, Django is still looking for his daughter, believing she may have survived the killing. He is shocked to find her in New Babylon, about to marry John.
But Sarah, now a grown woman, wants Django to leave, as she...
The high-concept English-language series is loosely based on Sergio Corbucci’s 1966 feature, and is being made by Cattleya, the ITV Studios-backed company behind Gomorrah. France’s Atlantique Productions is also producing.
The story is set in the Wild West in the 1860s and 1870s. Sarah and John have founded New Babylon, a city of outcasts, full of men and women of all backgrounds, races and creeds, that welcomes everyone with open arms.
Haunted by the murder of his family eight years earlier, Django is still looking for his daughter, believing she may have survived the killing. He is shocked to find her in New Babylon, about to marry John.
But Sarah, now a grown woman, wants Django to leave, as she...
- 2/18/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Cameras are rolling again on Sky’s Ancient Rome series Domina, marking the broadcaster’s largest-scale production to get back underway to date.
Cast and crew have returned to set at historic studios Cinecitta in Italian capital Rome following several weeks of pre-production work after the country’s lockdown was eased. The show is led by Kasia Smutniak (Dolittle), Liam Cunningham (Game Of Thrones) and Isabella Rossellini (Blue Velvet).
The production is employing a variety of virus preventative measures including distancing on set, making sure everyone completes safety training prior to accessing the site, and creating dedicated pools of crew and actors, with closed sets when possible. Sky Studios CEO Gary Davey recently said the company was also working with producers to create virus-related contingency in the event of further lockdowns.
As Deadline reported last month, Sky is edging closer to being back underway on a number of big-ticket shows.
Cast and crew have returned to set at historic studios Cinecitta in Italian capital Rome following several weeks of pre-production work after the country’s lockdown was eased. The show is led by Kasia Smutniak (Dolittle), Liam Cunningham (Game Of Thrones) and Isabella Rossellini (Blue Velvet).
The production is employing a variety of virus preventative measures including distancing on set, making sure everyone completes safety training prior to accessing the site, and creating dedicated pools of crew and actors, with closed sets when possible. Sky Studios CEO Gary Davey recently said the company was also working with producers to create virus-related contingency in the event of further lockdowns.
As Deadline reported last month, Sky is edging closer to being back underway on a number of big-ticket shows.
- 7/31/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
It's official.
Patrick Dempsey is returning to U.S. TV.
The CW has picked up Devils, an international thriller, that will air as part of the network's pandemic-proof fall schedule.
Devils is an international thriller that follows Massimo Ruggero, the charismatic yet ruthless Head of Trading at Nyl, one of the world’s most important investment banks, and his mentor, Nyl’s CEO Dominic Morgan.
After Dominic appoints another colleague over Massimo following a bitter promotion battle, Massimo finds himself named prime suspect in a murder investigation.
Fighting to clear his name, Massimo becomes involved in an intercontinental financial war and is forced to choose between supporting Dominic or going up against him.
The series also stars Laia Costa, Kasia Smutniak, Lars Mikkelsen, Malachi Kirby (Roots), Paul Chowdhry, Pia Mechler (Everything Is Wonderful), Harry Michell (Chubby Funny), and Sallie Harmsen (Blade Runner 2049).
Based on the novel I Diavoli by Guido Maria Brera,...
Patrick Dempsey is returning to U.S. TV.
The CW has picked up Devils, an international thriller, that will air as part of the network's pandemic-proof fall schedule.
Devils is an international thriller that follows Massimo Ruggero, the charismatic yet ruthless Head of Trading at Nyl, one of the world’s most important investment banks, and his mentor, Nyl’s CEO Dominic Morgan.
After Dominic appoints another colleague over Massimo following a bitter promotion battle, Massimo finds himself named prime suspect in a murder investigation.
Fighting to clear his name, Massimo becomes involved in an intercontinental financial war and is forced to choose between supporting Dominic or going up against him.
The series also stars Laia Costa, Kasia Smutniak, Lars Mikkelsen, Malachi Kirby (Roots), Paul Chowdhry, Pia Mechler (Everything Is Wonderful), Harry Michell (Chubby Funny), and Sallie Harmsen (Blade Runner 2049).
Based on the novel I Diavoli by Guido Maria Brera,...
- 6/4/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
The CW has acquired an Italian thriller series starring Patrick Dempsey and is now shifting around its previously announced fall 2020-21 broadcast season schedule to accommodate it.
Called “Devils,” which also stars Alessandro Borghi, the series will take the place of “Dead Pixels” and “Two Sentence Horror Stories” during the 8-9 p.m. block on Wednesday nights this fall. “Coroner” will remain in its 9-10 p.m. slot right after. As a result, “Dead Pixels” will have a summer premiere, while”Two Sentence Horror Stories” has been bumped to Sundays this fall. That means “Masters of Illusion” is moving to Fridays at 8 p.m. in the fall, and “World’s Funniest Animals” will get the 9 p.m. slot after it.
“Devils” is based on the novel “I Diavoli” by Guido Maria Brera. It’s produced by Sky Italia and Lux Vide, in association with Sky Studios, Orange Studio and Ocs.
Called “Devils,” which also stars Alessandro Borghi, the series will take the place of “Dead Pixels” and “Two Sentence Horror Stories” during the 8-9 p.m. block on Wednesday nights this fall. “Coroner” will remain in its 9-10 p.m. slot right after. As a result, “Dead Pixels” will have a summer premiere, while”Two Sentence Horror Stories” has been bumped to Sundays this fall. That means “Masters of Illusion” is moving to Fridays at 8 p.m. in the fall, and “World’s Funniest Animals” will get the 9 p.m. slot after it.
“Devils” is based on the novel “I Diavoli” by Guido Maria Brera. It’s produced by Sky Italia and Lux Vide, in association with Sky Studios, Orange Studio and Ocs.
- 6/3/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
The CW is adding another acquired series to its fall 2020 lineup.
The network has picked up the French-Italian co-production “Devils.” The series is described as an international thriller that follows Massimo Ruggero (Alessandro Borghi), the charismatic yet ruthless Head of Trading at Nyl, one of the world’s most important investment banks, and his mentor, Nyl’s CEO Dominic Morgan (Patrick Dempsey). After Dominic appoints another colleague over Massimo following a bitter promotion battle, Massimo finds himself named prime suspect in a murder investigation. Fighting to clear his name, Massimo becomes involved in an intercontinental financial war and is forced to choose between supporting Dominic or going up against him.
The series also stars Laia Costa, Kasia Smutniak, Lars Mikkelsen, Malachi Kirby, Paul Chowdhry, Pia Mechler, Harry Michell, and Sallie Harmsen.
The series will air on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Et/Pt, followed by the acquired series “Coroner.” The move...
The network has picked up the French-Italian co-production “Devils.” The series is described as an international thriller that follows Massimo Ruggero (Alessandro Borghi), the charismatic yet ruthless Head of Trading at Nyl, one of the world’s most important investment banks, and his mentor, Nyl’s CEO Dominic Morgan (Patrick Dempsey). After Dominic appoints another colleague over Massimo following a bitter promotion battle, Massimo finds himself named prime suspect in a murder investigation. Fighting to clear his name, Massimo becomes involved in an intercontinental financial war and is forced to choose between supporting Dominic or going up against him.
The series also stars Laia Costa, Kasia Smutniak, Lars Mikkelsen, Malachi Kirby, Paul Chowdhry, Pia Mechler, Harry Michell, and Sallie Harmsen.
The series will air on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Et/Pt, followed by the acquired series “Coroner.” The move...
- 6/3/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.