Banijay Unveils London TV Screenings Lineup: ‘Maigret’ and ‘7/7: The London Bombings’ Headline

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At the upcoming London TV Screenings, Banijay Entertainment is all set to make a strong impact with an exceptionally broad and high-quality collection of global TV content. Their event, Banijay @ BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, will be open only to potential buyers, showcasing a total of 43 exceptional titles. These include 13 scripted series, 15 factual programs, 9 original unscripted formats, and 6 shows from third-party producers – all featuring some of the most exciting new programming currently available on the market.

The occasion is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26th, spanning over three separate segments. It’s anticipated that an unprecedented number of international purchasers will attend, eager to delve into the extensive range of products provided by Banijay.

Taking the forefront for Banijay is “Maigret,” a modern TV adaptation of Georges Simenon’s renowned detective novels, making its way to PBS Masterpiece. This new rendition, penned by Patrick Harbinson (“Homeland,” “24,” “The Tower”), who also produced “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light,” offers a contemporary twist on the legendary Parisian Chief Inspector Jules Maigret. This updated version presents a younger, unconventional Maigret, eager to make his mark but still striving for validation, portrayed by Benjamin Wainwright (“Belgravia: The Next Chapter”). An enticing first look image of the character was recently unveiled this week.

One more notable part of Banijay’s factual productions is the docu-series titled ‘7/7: The London Bombings,’ commemorating the 20th anniversary of the catastrophic London bombings. This compelling documentary, manufactured by The Slate Works for BBC Two and iPlayer, offers a detailed, emotional portrayal of the life-altering events that occurred on July 7, 2005, forever impacting the city. The series will shed new light on the incident through personal accounts, making it a must-watch for individuals interested in contemporary history or true-crime documentaries, as Banijay pointed out.

In the realm of television formats, a standout feature could be the reality dating series titled “30 Dates and 30 Nights,” produced by Spain’s Cuarzo Producciones, which falls under Banijay Iberia, and is aired on free-to-air broadcaster Mediaset. This program is available on their VOD service Mitele Plus. Love seems to have reached its peak intensity in this series, as the protagonist – influencer Lucía Sánchez (in the original Spanish version) – embarks on 30 distinct dates, guided by presenter Catalina Porto throughout the course of the title period.

Cathy Payne, CEO of Banijay Rights, remarked that this year’s collection spans from captivating dramas to engaging factual series, showcasing the outstanding richness and caliber of our growing library. She is eagerly anticipating meeting with partners at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly later this month for what has become a must-attend event in the TV industry.

James Townley, Head of Content for Development at Banijay Entertainment, along with Lucas Green, Chief Content Officer, Operations, stated: “The London TV Screenings offer an ideal platform to display the latest and most groundbreaking intellectual properties from Banijay Entertainment, as well as revamped successful formats. Creativity is flourishing throughout our network, and our collection of highly sought-after titles gives us a unique advantage in the marketplace.

Below, we take a detailed look at Banijay’s plans for the 2025 London TV Screenings.

Expanding the Drama Slate

Key points from Banijay’s U.K. scripted lineup feature the contemporary adaptation of the timeless detective series “Bergerac” by U&Original, under production by Blacklight TV. Unlike the John Nettles original, this new version follows a single case unfolding across six episodes, all set in Jersey as before. Moreover, the moving drama “Half Man” comes from Emmy-winning creator Richard Gadd and is co-produced by HBO.

As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to share some notable additions to the lineup. For those who crave suspense, “Fear,” starring Martin Compston from “Line of Duty” and Anjli Mohindra from “Vigil,” is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. If you’re in the mood for a laugh, give “Just Act Normal” a watch on BBC iPlayer. For a chilling domestic drama, tune into Channel 5 to catch “The Feud.”

On a global scale, we can look forward to the second seasons of two captivating international co-productions: “Marie Antoinette” and “Fallen.” These eagerly awaited series showcase Banijay’s dedication to bringing diverse and engaging narratives to our screens.

Impactful Documentaries

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but be impressed by Banijay’s powerful lineup of factual programming that leaves an indelible impact and keeps me thoroughly engrossed. Among the many noteworthy titles, “7/7: The London Bombings” stands out as a gripping account of a tragic event in history.

If true-crime series are your cup of tea, then “The Drowning Pool” is a must-watch. This riveting series will undoubtedly captivate you with its chilling narrative. For those who prefer documentaries, “Anatomy of a Murder,” produced by Workerbee, offers an intriguing insight into the world of crime investigation.

If climate justice is close to your heart, then “The Silence of the Earth” should be on your watchlist. This investigative documentary sheds light on this critical issue and serves as a powerful call to action. Lastly, for those who enjoy travel and culture-focused shows, “Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain,” a CNN Original series from Hyphenate Media Group, offers a unique perspective on Spain’s rich history and traditions.

Bold Unscripted Formats

At Banijay events, unstructured formats are consistently a standout, and the 2025 London TV Screenings are no different. This year, Banijay has an array of captivating new formats, such as “Against All Odds,” a cross-country skiing competition from Meter/Jarowskij for SVT, to “Mission Unknown: Atlantic,” an intriguing adventure series driven by influencers from Banijay Productions Germany for Prime Video. Fans of reality shows can eagerly anticipate the comebacks of popular titles like “Faking It” and “Ladette to Lady.

In addition, you’ll find some shows making an appearance in London, such as “The Rest of Your Life,” a transformative reality series for DR1, and the docu-format “AI Love You” from Nordisk Film TV for TV 2. Banijay’s creative endeavors also stretch to third-party productions, including the reality format “My Name Is Gabriel” for JTBC and Disney+, “Atypical Critics,” featuring autistic food critics, and “Game of Wool,” a competitive knitting series for More 4. The newly announced series “The Insider,” born from a co-development agreement between Endemol Shine Australia and Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), and the reimagined version of “Actor Vs Reactors” are expected to ignite interest in numerous markets.

The Power of Collaboration

In the wake of the Peak TV era, Banijay, much like numerous other global companies, is evolving by fostering relationships with international partners. As Banijay broadens its presence worldwide, it maintains a strong dedication to forming alliances with major broadcast networks, distributors, and production houses in both established and emerging markets. This resolve is evident in its diverse lineup intended for international streaming platforms, featuring shows like “Celebrity Bear Hunt“, a collaboration between Banijay UK’s Workerbee, The Natural Studios, and Talkback for Netflix; “Last One Laughing UK” from Zeppotron and Initial for Amazon Prime Video, created by Hitoshi Matsumoto and produced by Banijay Entertainment labels in 11 markets; and “Carême“, a joint production between Shine Fiction (a part of Banijay France) and VVZ Production for Apple TV+, which will be showcased at this year’s Series Mania.

Banijay’s London TV Screenings collection showcases their dedication to providing premium content that appeals to diverse global viewers. Ranging from pulse-pounding reality series, intellectually stimulating documentaries, and captivating dramas, Banijay is not just spearheading the entertainment industry; they are shaping the future of television, constantly adapting to the dynamic world of broadcasting.

Before stepping into the spotlight at the Screenings, the company’s leaders can hardly contain their excitement to exhibit their offerings. “We are ecstatic to display our remarkable collection of upcoming projects and share them with our associates,” Payne stated. “This is going to be an event that will leave a lasting impression.

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2025-02-20 12:17