Must-See International TV at Mipcom 2024

As a seasoned connoisseur of global television productions, I must say that this lineup is nothing short of a gastronomic feast for the eyes! From the quaint charm of “Recipes for Love and Murder” to the grandeur of “Rise of the Raven,” each series promises a unique flavor that caters to diverse tastes.


“Artistock Game” CJ ENM

The latest music show, boasting a gleaming stage floor, comes from the Korean entertainment powerhouse, CJ ENM. Viewers are given virtual currency to invest in one of 48 artists, spanning indie and K-pop scenes. At the end, only one winner remains, the artist with the highest stock price value. In South Korea, this program is aired on Mnet, a pay TV channel owned by CJ ENM.

“A Better Place” Studiocanal

A social-issue thriller titled “Rheinstadt,” produced by Komplizen Film’s television division, Komplizen Serien, and Studiocanal Series, marks their first German production. Set in the post-industrial city of Rheinstadt with a gloomy skyscape, its forward-thinking mayor and a legal expert shut down the local prison, aiming to reintegrate the ex-convicts back into society. As time passes, the lives of these former prisoners become increasingly connected to that of the city itself. This eight-episode series boasts support from major European broadcasters Canal + and ARD.

“The Big Jump” Atresmedia Intl. Sales

Among Atresmedia’s major ventures at Mipcom, this biographical series chronicles the journey of Spanish gymnast Gervasio Deferr from winning Olympic gold medals in Sydney and Athens to his struggle with drugs and alcohol. Oscar Casas (“Instinto,” “Jaguar”) portrays Deferr, with Roger Gual (“Gangs of Galicia”) serving as director. Premiering on Nov 17 as an original series on Atresplayer.

“By Land, Air and Sea” Banijay Entertainment

Among the major nonfiction titles added to Banijay Entertainment’s robust roster, which encompasses shows like “Bergerac,” “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light,” and “Three Are the Champions,” is a revival of the longest-running entertainment program on Dutch television. This revamped show made its debut on RTL in the Netherlands in 2024, marking the country’s best new launch since 2018. The success could be attributed to its unique blend of outdoor adventure and challenge, where contestants are tasked with tapping into their inner child by constructing vehicles designed for navigating outdoor obstacle courses.

“The Listeners” Fremantle

The most recent production by Element Pictures, based in Dublin and helmed by Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe (known for “Room” and “Poor Things”), presents a psychological thriller titled “The Sound.” In this story, the protagonist Claire, played by Rebecca Hall, experiences an unusual torment – a sound that only she seems to hear, even her doctors remain oblivious. The film is directed by Janicza Bravo (“Zola”) and serves as a modern-day parable exploring the quest for community and connection in our ever-dividing societies. It’s set to air on BBC One and has been selected as a significant title for Fremantle at Mipcom.

Must-See International TV at Mipcom 2024

“The Crow Girl” ITV Studios

As a passionate cinephile, I couldn’t resist diving into “Irvine Welsh’s Crime,” a gripping psychological crime thriller, produced by Buccaneer Media and exclusively available on Paramount+. Set in Bristol, this contemporary series brings together a tenacious police detective and a renowned psychotherapist in their pursuit of a chilling serial killer targeting young men.

“Constantine’s Crossing” Mediawan Rights

Following the successful premiere of “Tom and Lola” at UniFrance Rendez-Vous in September, which is part of Mediawan’s series of light crime procedurals blending family-friendly elements, they are now expanding their reach into new territories like the Balkans. Their goal is to create a strong impression at Mipcom with “Constantine’s Crossing,” an ambitious production set during World War II from Serbia. This narrative combines adventure, suspense, and fantasy elements, revolving around a Nazi occultist searching for a legendary sword that grants the wielder world control. In this story, the antagonist is not just modern evil, but also supernatural beings such as vampires and werewolves who stand against it.

“Death Valley” BBC Studios

In a different take on procedurals, a humorous murder-mystery unfolds with an unusual detective duo: Timothy Spall, formerly of a renowned detective series, and Gwyneth Keyworth from “Black Mirror,” who portrays a Welsh detective sergeant. Week by week, they unravel mysteries amidst beautiful Welsh landscapes. Written by Paul Doolan (“Mammoth”), this six-episode adventure is produced by BBC Studios Comedy Productions for BBC Two and could be irresistible to more mature viewers.

Must-See International TV at Mipcom 2024

“Fateful Planet” ZDF Studios

Titled “Planet,” this docuseries from ZDF Studios represents their largest production of the season, offering a positive perspective on global catastrophes throughout history. It explores how life has miraculously persisted through five mass extinctions that have occurred over the last 500 million years. The series’ five episodes delve into various instances, such as a cosmic impact the Earth experienced that is believed to be 100 million times greater than the one hypothesized to have wiped out dinosaurs. Co-produced by ZDF Studios subsidiaries ZDF Digital and Curiosity Stream, with additional input from ZDFinfo.

“La Favorita 1922” Mediterraneo

Productions by Bambú Producciones in Spain, owned by Studiocanal, have earned international acclaim for their contemporary melodramas focusing on gender issues and boasting exceptional production quality. This trend continues with the period piece “La Favorita 1922”, which revolves around Marquise Elena de Valmonte of Seville, who escapes to Madrid and establishes a restaurant with four young women. This series marks the initial collaboration between Bambu and Mediaset España; Josep Cister, the mastermind behind the successful RTVE soap “The Vow”, serves as the showrunner.

Must-See International TV at Mipcom 2024

“Gen Z” All3Media Intl.

A military transport vehicle collides outside a nursing home, causing a hazardous substance leak that transforms its inhabitants into zombie-like figures with a strange appetite for consuming the brains of nearby teenagers. This dark allegory for Brexit, blended with a coming-of-age story, is how director Ben Wheatley (“Kill List,” “Sightseers,” “High Rise”) describes his return to television work after a decade. The project is produced by The Forge for Channel 4, in collaboration with All3Media and ZDF. According to All3Media International, the initial scenes are “unusually gruesome yet comical.

“Josefa’s Return” Bavaria Media

Upon learning that her mother has passed away and leaving behind the family home, Josefa – a trans woman residing contentedly in Munich – decides to return to the picturesque yet traditionally conservative Bavarian village she abandoned 40 years ago as Josef. The movie, which had its world premiere at the Munich Film Fest, is described by Bavaria Media as a poignant tale of misunderstandings, self-discovery, and the lingering specters of past times: a story about identity, family, and overcoming societal norms.

“Man or Mannequin?” Nippon TV

In this innovative game show, famous competitors are challenged to locate mannequins that are hidden strategically around the city. These mannequins can be deceptive as some of them are actually people trying to trick the contestants. This is one of two fresh unscripted formats presented at Mipcom by Nippon TV, a company that owns Hulu Japan and produced the original “Dragons’ Den” format and the successful drama series “Mother.

“The New Years” Movistar Plus+ International

In a span of 10 episodes, divided into two segments, the show portrays the ten-year relationship between Oscar and Ana across ten New Year’s celebrations, starting from their initial meeting to their final separation. The sequel to Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “The Beasts,” titled “The New Years,” was shown at the Venice Film Festival’s TV selection alongside projects by Alfonso Cuarón, Joe Wright, and Thomas Vinterberg; it has received praise from Spanish film critics.

“The Others, Season 2” Globo

In a tale of escalating intolerance, the first season unfolded within a high-rise luxury condominium in Rio’s Barra de Tijuca. Now, the narrative has shifted to a genuine upscale condo complex featuring expansive three-story chalets akin to mansions. Despite the change of scenery, the underlying tensions persist, ignited by Season 1’s character Sergio, now a Rio city councilor and out of prison. A standout production on Globoplay, “The Others,” conceived by Lucas Paraizo, is a testament to his exceptional talent as a scriptwriter, having penned 34 episodes of “Under Pressure.” This makes him one of the most gifted creators in the realm of scripted content across South America.

“Peter the Great: Greater Than Ever” Caracol TV, Disney+

On July 16, the series titled “Peter” premiered simultaneously on Caracol TV in Colombia and Disney+. In the last two years, it has become the most popular series in Colombia, capturing an impressive 44.6% of the audience on Caracol TV. The show reunites the stars and creators from a previous successful telenovela for a 23-episode sequel. This new season finds Pedro (played by Miguel Varoni) back home after years abroad, still known for his charming ways and exceptional pirulino dancing skills. “Peter” is Colombia’s first primetime show to air on Univision.

Must-See International TV at Mipcom 2024

“Quiet” The Mediapro Studio, 3Cat

The show takes place in April 2020 during Spain’s peak COVID-19 crisis, focusing on a police investigation of a serial killer targeting Barcelona’s homeless community. This series, inspired by real events, was premiered at the recent Sitges Festival. It was created and written by Luis Arcarazo, known for “Salvador”, and stars David Verdaguer from “10,000 KM” and Ángela Cervantes from “La Maternal”.

“Reykjavic 112” REinvent Intl. Sales

The main new addition to REinvent’s Nordic sales house, “Reykjavík 112,” offers a contemporary and vibrant perspective on the crime thriller genre. This series, produced by Iceland’s New Media Arc and Germany’s NDF (“The Swarm”), follows a detective as he investigates a gruesome murder by enlisting the help of a child psychologist with whom he shares an awkward past dating experience. The show is adapted from Yrsa Sigurðardóttir’s bestselling novels and jointly directed by Reynir Lyngdal (“Frost”) and renowned actress, creator, and producer Tinna Hrafnsdóttir (“The Descendants”).

“Recipes for Love and Murder” (Season 2) Global Screen

This series, featuring Maria Doyle Kennedy (“Outlander,” “The Tudors”), is a vibrant and intriguing murder mystery that’s been likened to a mix between “Chocolat” and “The Killing.” Last year on Acorn TV’s “Recipes,” we followed Tannie Maria, an advice columnist with a love for food, and rookie journalist Jessie September as they delved into amateur detective work. This unique series was selected for the 2022 Berlinale Series Market Selects and is now returning for Season 2. In this new season, a large town fire sets off a chain of events leading to multiple murder investigations, uncovering the town’s hidden secrets.

Must-See International TV at Mipcom 2024

“Rise of the Raven” Beta Film

In the creative realm of Robert Lantos, I helped bring to life a grand saga of swords, maces, and political machinations, intertwined with romance and contemporary gender dynamics. This epic tale reaches its peak at the 1456 Battle of Belgrade, where Janos Hunyadi of Hungary triumphantly defeated an overwhelming Ottoman force. Brimming with battles, castles, fortresses, and breathtaking cities like the Edirne adorned with minarets, this series stands as one of Mipcom’s most anticipated global premieres, born from a vision that is increasingly rare in our era of industry constraints.

“Sherlock & Daughter” Federation Studios

The series features David Thewlis portraying an aging Sherlock Holmes, whose mental abilities start to decline as he unravels a perplexing mystery alongside a young American character who may be his daughter. This production has caught the attention of Federation for international English-language scripted sales and is destined for CW in the United States and Discovery+ in the United Kingdom. It is the latest work from screenwriter Brendan Foley (“Cold Courage”), with James Duff (“The Closer”) serving as showrunner. The series is a joint production between Albion TV of the U.K. and StoryFirst.

“Turco” Madd Entertainment

An action-packed, historical adventure series, set in the 17th century, stars renowned Turkish actor Can Yaman (“Daydreamer”) as a legendary figure who bridges Turkey with the Western world. This captivating production was showcased at Mipcom on October 21 and is slated for a worldwide release in February. “Turco” is part of an initiative by producers Ay Yapim and Madd Entertainment to penetrate English-speaking markets.

“Valhalla Project” Keshet Intl.

A science fiction mystery thriller titled “Project” revolves around the father-daughter relationship, set against a backdrop of an environmental disaster. Sara Soulié (“Conflict”), in her lead role, portrays a climate scientist embarking on an expedition to uncover what befell her missing father, who vanished while trying to open a parallel world in the Arctic wasteland in 1991. This intriguing production comes from Elisa Viihde, the innovative Finnish streaming service, and is directed by Juha Wuolijoki, founder of Snapper Films (“King of Los Angeles”).

Must-See International TV at Mipcom 2024

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2024-10-18 16:51