Christian Wikander Named Global Head of Scripted at Banijay

Banijay has tapped Christian Wikander, who joins from HBO Max Nordic (Warner Bros. Discovery), as its new global head of scripted.

Taking up his new Banijay post on May 1, 2023, Wikander is tasked with spearheading strategic IP creation, driving collaboration across the business’s portfolio of over 50 drama labels, exploiting format potential and identifying third-party acquisition opportunities.

He will report to CEO Marco Bassetti.

Since 2020, Wikander has served as commissioning editor and VP of original programming for HBO Max Nordic. Prior to this, he was managing director for Twelve Town, having joined in 2016 as head of drama for Europe. Wikander has also held head of drama roles at SVT (Swedish Television) in Stockholm and Gothenburg.

Bassetti commented: “Having been a commissioner, managing director and producer, Christian has demonstrated not only his immense creative talent and agility as a leader, but importantly, his natural eye for recognizing a story with international potential. With him in place, we feel we have further opportunity to grow our premium scripted offering and heighten Banijay’s reputation as a leader in both local and English-language dramas that connect audiences worldwide.”

Wikander added: “I feel a great sense of pride joining such a well-established, global group like Banijay. A collective of some of the best producers in the business, it is such a well-respected home for local stories that travel the world, and I look forward to collaborating with, and learning from, the brilliantly talented storymakers at the heart of it all. Here’s to 2023, a year of origination, returners and traveling scripted hits.”

Wikander’s appointment follows current Lars Blomgren’s decision to step down from his role and return to his roots as a producer.