Disney+ Reveals Slate of European Originals

The Walt Disney Company EMEA has unveiled its initial slate of European originals for Disney+, spanning drama, comedy, sci-fi and documentary.

Four French commissions have been announced, comprising two new Star Originals and two Disney+ Originals.

Oussekine, a four-part Star Original miniseries, examines the terrible true events of December 5, 1986, that led to the death of a young student, Malik Oussekine.

Parallels, from creator Quoc Dang Tran (Marianne, Nox) and co-written by Anastasia Heinzl, is a Disney+ Original fantasy series following four teenagers, whose lives are turned upside down when a mysterious event propels them into parallel dimensions.

Weekend Family, a Disney+ Original, is a comedy that chronicles the life of a new stepfamily that meets up every weekend. When the father gets into a relationship with a new partner, the weekends take on a whole new turn.

Soprano: Sing or Die, a Star Original documentary series, will offer exclusive access to one of France’s most popular recording artists as he and his crew get ready for a massive stadium tour in Summer 2022.

Three Star Originals for Disney+ have been confirmed from Italy.

The Italian series The Good Mothers offers a mafia seen entirely from the women’s perspectives.

Star on Disney+ will see the return of the fan-favorite comedy series Boris: a show-within-a-show format that generated three seasons and a movie.

A romantic drama inspired by the Italian box office hit and cultural sensation Le Fate Ignoranti, The Ignorant Angels is a Star Original series.

From Germany, two Star Originals for Disney+ have been ordered.

Greenlit for Germany is the true-life drama Sam: A Saxon, which looks at the real-life story of Samuel Meffire, East-Germany’s first black police officer.

The German dark comedy Sultan City, from up-and-coming producers Ayla Gottschlich and Aysel Yilmaz and head writer Ipek Zübert, follows the respectable matriarch of a German-Turkish family who accidentally becomes the head of a criminal underworld and discovers she and her daughters have a talent for the business.

Feyenoord Rotterdam is a new sports documentary for the Netherlands. Produced by Lusus Media, this much-loved football club has opened its doors to reveal what really happens off the pitch.

Additionally, two new roles have been created in Spain and Germany. Sofía Fábregas has been appointed as VP of original productions for Iberia, and Benjamina Mirnik-Voges has been appointed as VP of original productions, Germany. Both roles will be responsible for the development and production of the local Disney-branded and Star-branded Originals for Disney+, reporting into local leadership and Diego Londono, working in close collaboration with Liam Keelan.

Londono, executive VP of media networks and content at The Walt Disney Company EMEA, commented: “Our commissioning strategy showcases our commitment to producing world-class original content, tailored to local markets but with the creative ambition to appeal to audiences across the globe. Europe has a global reputation as a creative powerhouse, which combined with Disney’s expertise in high-quality storytelling and its relationships with top talent on- and off-screen will ensure Disney+ is the go-to destination for compelling and engaging entertainment in Europe.”

Liam Keelan, VP of original content for The Walt Disney Company EMEA, commented: “These first ten projects embody our ambitious vision for local production. Our initial European offering underscores Disney’s regional commitment to outstanding and diverse talent, reflecting our desire to work with the very best storytellers in the industry.”