SERIESMANIA 2026 PERIOD SET SERIES: SUMMER OF '36, UNCHAINED AND ALICE FROM THE 19TH CENTURY SLAVERY AND HOTEL RIVIERA TO CINEMA PIONEERS

  SERIESMANIA 2026 OFFER  

SUMMER OF '36 FROM FRANCE

There is a number of new period set shows that will premiere or be offered to the buyers at this year's Seriesmania at the end of this month and your spy is presenting them to you today, starting with French and Belgian six episode drama SUMMER OF '36 a historical thriller set in Nice, summer of 1936. The elite are stunned as the first working-class vacationers arrive on the French Riviera, thanks to newly granted paid leave. In this clash of worlds, four women from different backgrounds find themselves entangled in a murder at the chic Hotel Riviera. A crime that will shatter their families, their romances, and their lives forever. The series is done for national broadcasters of the two countries, but I hear it will also stream on Netflix.

 

UNCHAINED FROM FRANCE

I already presented you with this one before, but French historical series UNCHAINED will also compete at Seriemania this year. This six episode drama has the story set in Bourbon Island, 1806. A devastating cyclone leaves Charles Bellevue’s plantation in ruins. Bankrupt, he is forced to sell his lands, leaving his slaves in terror of being separated. Among them, Isaac refuses to accept his fate. He has just discovered that Charles Bellevue is not only his master: he is his father. The brand new historical series was done for their national broadcaster France Television. 

 

ALICE FROM FRANCE AND CANADA

A co production between France, Belgium and Canada is six part series ALICE with Berenice Bejo. From France to the U.S., the incredible journey of Alice Guy, a pioneer and the first female fiction filmmaker in cinema history. The series explores the extraordinary life of Alice Guy, a woman who was an artist, entrepreneur, wife and mother. It delves into her struggles, her thwarted loves, and her quest for freedom and recognition.

SEE STRIKINGLY BEAUTIFUL TRAILER FOR THE ROAD DANCE AWARD WINNING WW1 SET MOVIE DRAMA WITH WILL FLETCHER! 19TH CENTURY SET IRISH SERIES THE LIBERTIES TO AIR AT SERIESMANIA

 THE ROAD DANCE TRAILER 

BASED ON TRUE EVENTS

After Benediction yesterday, I have another beauty for you today coming from the isles: THE ROAD DANCE WW1 drama based on the book by John MacKay. The audience award winner of last year's Edinburgh Film

The Road Dance will open in cinemas May 20th

Festival, follows life in the Scottish Hebrides which is harsh - the edge of the world some call it. For the beautiful Kirsty (Hermione Corfield), her love for gorgeous Murdo (Will Fletcher whom we shall watch in Rings of Power series) and their shared dreams of America promise escape from the

The movie won Audience award at Edinburgh Film Festival

scrape of the land and a stifled destiny. But the Great War changes all when Murdo is conscripted. The night before the young men go off to battle, tragedy is set in motion as villagers swirl and sup at a “road dance.” The movie will hit UK and Irish cinemas May 20th! Mark Gatiss also stars.

 

  THE LIBERTIES SERIES 

WILL ARRIVE TO SERIESMANIA

Speaking of the isles, check out the teaser for new period set Irish series THE LIBERTIES that will compete at this year's SeriesMania.  It is set in 1815: Following the failed uprising in 1798 and subsequent Act of Union, tensions have risen considerably between the Irish and their British

Boxer Dan Donnelly is one of the characters in the series

counterparts. The Catholic Emancipation movement is gathering momentum and a young Daniel O’Connell is making his presence felt. THE LIBERTIES tells the interconnected stories of three siblings from this little-seen period. They are William, Mary and Pondersbury Kelly. Each is part of the landed

Pierce Ryan, Gary Duggan, Brian Durnin are the creators

gentry class – the previous generation of their family having converted to Protestantism to hold onto their land and title.The legendary life of boxer Dan Donelly and his links with the Kellys, provide the spine of Season 1. His unlikely partnership with William leads to success that, again and again,

The series is set in the early 19th century Dublin

neither man can hold onto for very long. We are also introduced to Peg Plunkett, the most infamous madam of the era. In a male-dominated society, William’s sister, Mary, becomes gradually affiliated with Peg’s business in an effort to wrestle back some autonomy and power for herself.