MIPCOM Spotlight: FremantleMedia International

From Neil Cross (Luther) comes Hard Sun, a new scripted series on offer from FremantleMedia International that stars Jim Sturgess (One Day) and Agyness Deyn (Sunset Song) as detectives in a world that is inching toward certain destruction.

FremantleMedia International is highlighting the new drama from Euston Films at MIPCOM. “Hard Sun is a fantastic drama set against the backdrop of contemporary London,” says Sarah Doole, the director of global drama at FremantleMedia. “The story is bold and ambitious, with some very interesting and occasionally complex characters. We’ve worked on a number of incredible channel-defining dramas and brought some amazing on- and off-camera talent into the family.”

Jamie Lynn, the executive VP and head of sales and distribution for EMEA at FremantleMedia International adds: “The brilliant Jim Sturgess and Agyness Deyn play detectives who uncover the terrifying and deeply classified information that the world is facing complete destruction in just five years.”

Picnic at Hanging Rock sees Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones) portray headmistress Hester Appleyard in a reimagining of Joan Lindsay’s classic novel. “Picnic at Hanging Rock is an enchanting, modern and mysterious drama,” says Lynn. “The fans of the haunting Peter Weir film from the ’70s will see the story in an entirely new vision.”

The Sunshine Kings follows the life of an aspiring South Sudanese-Australian basketball player who, while pursuing his athletic dreams, gets caught up in a police investigation involving a teenage girl from an affluent Melbourne suburb.

In the factual space, there is Wasted! The Story of Food Waste, an eye-opening documentary fronted by American chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain. FremantleMedia International is also offering Coastal Railways with Julie Walters, a four-parter in which the presenter travels to the most beautiful and interesting parts of coastal railway routes in the U.K. Meanwhile, British filmmaker Gurinder Chadha explores how India became divided into two nations in India’s Partition: The Forgotten Story.

The company is additionally promoting Judi Dench’s Secret Woodland, which looks on as the Oscar-winning actress shares her passion for trees. “This market, our high-end factual plate is all about star power and bringing their personal and compelling passions to global screens,” says Angela Neillis, the company’s director of non-scripted for the U.K., EMEA and Asia Pacific. “We have enormously impactful and captivating projects in our factual offering spanning, history, science and documentary.”

In addition, American Idol is returning to U.S. screens, this time on ABC. “For more than a decade, American Idol was the biggest entertainment show in the world,” says Ganesh Rajaram, the general manager and executive VP of sales for Asia at FremantleMedia International. “The brand is incredibly popular across the Asian region, and with Ryan Seacrest returning and new judge Katy Perry, this series is set to be bigger and better than ever. We’ve had another phenomenal year…with business continuing to thrive across Asia.”

Ordinary people are given the opportunity to professionally record a song in The Recording Studio, one of FremantleMedia International’s highlights for the MEA region. “The Recording Studio is transformational, inspiring and authentic—it has all the makings of becoming an audience favorite,” says Anahita Kheder, the company’s senior VP for the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Europe. Swaggerz, meanwhile, is a format that follows five teens from different backgrounds as they join forces to become the next big internet sensation. “Swaggerz is a loud, innovative and exciting format that is set to be the next reality obsession,” says Kheder. Then there is Golden Kid, a reality show that sees young footballers compete for the chance to become professional athletes. “Despite the economic and political challenges that the region is currently facing, our business is going strong [in MEA],” Kheder notes.

“Our business has seen continued growth across Europe,” adds Lynn.