MIPTV Spotlight: FremantleMedia International

Currently in production in Italy, My Brilliant Friend, on offer from FremantleMedia International, is an eight-part drama based on the best-selling book by Elena Ferrante.

The company is also presenting Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History, a six-part CNN original narrated by Liam Neeson that takes a look inside the Vatican. “The docuseries explores how 12 Apostles became 1.2 billion Catholics today, linking recent news events surrounding the Vatican with their unexpected origins,” says CEO Jens Richter.

Butterfly is about an 11-year-old boy who decides to live life as a girl. The miniseries, from BAFTA Award-winning screenwriter Tony Marchant, is made by RED Production Company.

The popular singing competition American Idol, also on offer from FremantleMedia International, has returned to the small screen, this time on ABC in the U.S. “American Idol’s profound effect on the music industry is far-reaching and continually growing,” says Ganesh Rajaram, the executive VP of sales for Asia at FremantleMedia International. “We’ve had amazing success with the franchise, and this reboot is even more spectacular with the amazing new judges—Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan—and some pretty incredible talent. It’s going to be a tremendous success in the region.”

The company is additionally highlighting 1968: The Year That Changed America, a docuseries from executive producers Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Mark Herzog; Hang Ups, a six-part comedy adapted from the Emmy-nominated series Web Therapy; and The Miracle, which marks the first TV project from best-selling Italian author Niccolò Ammaniti.

There is also The Coronation, focused on the Crown Jewels and the ancient ceremony for which they are used. “To mark the 65th anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen’s Coronation, she shares memories of the ceremony, as well as that of her father, King George VI, in 1937,” says Katrina Neylon, the executive VP of global content at FremantleMedia International.

A new reality relationship format from Naked Entertainment, Secret Admirer has been enjoying success on Channel 5 in the U.K. and Bravo in the U.S. “Admirers of all ages, preferences and walks of life each secretly invite the object of their affections to join them, agreeing to be filmed as they openly admit their true feelings,” says Rob Clark, the director of global entertainment at FremantleMedia.

Another highlight from the company is Time to Dance, a new talent competition that requires contestants to impress judges with a 30-second performance during their audition. The show has been commissioned by RTL 4 in the Netherlands and is launching this April.

Then there is All Your Wishes, a new prime-time entertainment format from FremantleMedia France featuring a talented magician.