Federation, Ecosse & France TV Prep Period Drama Co-Pro

Federation Entertainment is partnering with Ecosse Films and France Télévisions to co-produce the new period drama Josephine and Napoleon, which will co-star French actress Bérénice Bejo.

Josephine and Napoleon is currently in development. The 8×52-minute series follows 35-year-old Josephine as she meets 25-year-old Napoleon during the French Revolution and becomes his first wife. It is based on the historical biographies penned by Andrew Roberts (Napoleon: A Life) and Kate Williams (The Dangerous Life of Josephine Bonaparte).

Shooting on Josephine and Napoleon is slated to begin in France at the end of next summer. The series will be filmed in English. It is being produced by Douglas Rae, Kate Triggs and Robert Bernstein for Ecosse Films, and Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan for Federation Entertainment.

Tony Saint, executive producer and showrunner, commented: “Bringing these remarkable characters to life has already been a joy but I am absolutely delighted that Bérénice Bejo is joining the project. She will be an unforgettable Josephine.”

Rae, managing director of Ecosse Films, noted: “We are honored to be working with two of Europe’s most distinguished program makers, France 2 and Federation Entertainment, on such a bold and ambitious co-production. Josephine’s role in Napoleon’s destiny will surprise and thrill audiences across the world.”

Breton, CEO of Federation Entertainment, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with France Télévisions and Ecosse Films to serialize two of France’s greatest historical figures: Josephine and Napoleon. Having the wonderful actress Bérénice Bejo join us to embody Josephine makes the project even more exciting.”

Takis Candilis, managing director of content at France Télévisions, added: “Rare are projects such as this one that reveal historical figures with such accuracy and wit. We are thrilled to see French history serialized and portrayed with a modern approach. Josephine was a free, strong and influential woman, remarkable in her day, incredibly relevant for our time. We are extremely proud that Bérénice Bejo will star in this series.”