We do ever so love European coproductions and now French France Television, German ZDF and Italian RAI are producing a six episode family adventure series THE EMPEROR'S STONE starring our dear Colin Morgan alongside Luke Treadaway! In the series, an ex-treasure-hunter
First look at Colin and Luke in the new series
and descendent of a famous pirate uncovers a lost diary that could lead to the mysterious and powerful Emperor’s Stone. To repair his fractured family and save their home, they follow clues left by their ancestors, finding themselves facing dangerous powers on a high-stakes adventure to stop the stone from falling into the wrong hands.
British ITV and German ZDF have set new six part action thriller series FIRST WOMAN which is now shooting. When Ben Reith (Ashley Walters) is woken in his London home to be told that his wife Claire (Andrea Riseborough) has gone missing, it’s the start of a global news story, because Claire is an astronaut crewing the UK’s first moonbase and she’s disappeared into the long lunar night… Claire is the first woman to set foot on the moon. A biologist taking part in a ground breaking research project, her disappearance throws suspicion on her fellow astronauts and China’s rival base. With hundreds of thousands of miles between them, can Ben uncover the truth behind his wife's disappearance?
BBC and German ZDF have teamed up on a new dark comedy six part drama HONEY which will star our dearest Jannis Niewohner alongside Ann Skelly, Nate Mann and Rory Kinnear. The tender and flirty, slick and dangerous series goes deep undercover in 1980s East Berlin to explore a shadowy world of counter espionage and risky but irresistible relations. East Berlin, 1982. Martha, 24, is a deep cover agent for MI6. Surrounded by enemies and constantly under threat of her cover being blown, she tries her hardest to avoid detection by Friedrich, the new Stasi Head of Counterespionage against British Targets, Berlin Office. Finding herself caught between Friedrich and the reckless, arrogant (and incredibly attractive…) CIA operative Aaron Neeland (posing as Kurt Fischer), she is blind-sided by desire in this Cold War menage-a-trois. The risk of being garrotted or incarcerated is nothing compared to the horrifying ordeal of falling in love. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and bearing your heart and soul? She'd rather have her fingernails pulled out.
Staying in Europe to present you with another non English period set TV series after our visit yesterday to Sweden and To Cook a Bear, we are today in the Baltics with DETECTIVE VON FOCK six episode historical crime drama inspired by Ain Kütt’s novels with the story set in early 19th century Estonia, a time when Baltic Germans dominated high society. Beside the Baltic national broadcasters ERR, LTV and LRT, where it already aired last spring, if I got it correctly the series will air on ZDF in Germany as well. You can check out a rather stylish trailer for the series below the post as well with English
Gorgeous Priit Pius takes the lead role
subtitles.
THE STORY OF THIS NEW PERIOD SET SERIES FOLLOWS
shy young nobleman Paul von Fock (played by rather dashing blond actor Priit Pius) as he
unexpectedly emerges as a sharp witted detective, solving crimes while
navigating matters of inheritance and love. Newly appointed court
assessor Paul von Fock, heir to Sagadi Manor, navigates a web of
murders, missing fortunes, and identity puzzles with the aid of the
mysterious Maria von Nottbeck, who he helps unmask in a shocking finale.
According to Variety, ZDF Studios and BlackBox Multimedia will produce romantic comedy drama THE LITTLE ITALIAN HOTEL based on the book by best-selling author Phaedra Patrick.
ZDF Studios will adapt the book into series
The feel-good romantic comedy is set in the idyllic Italian region of Umbria. Ginny Splinters is 50 and at the top of her game. Her advice show “Ginny Listens” is vying for the No.1 slot on the U.K.’s premier radio station and she has a self-help book about to be published. Her private life is equally glittering and to prove it, she’s booked a luxurious anniversary celebration in Italy with her husband, Adrian. But, during a live phone-in, a caller throws doubt on Adrian’s faithfulness and her perfect life comes crashing down. Accompanied not by her husband but by five equally heart-broken listeners, whose problems she has rashly vowed to solve, Ginny goes on a journey of self-discovery and learns that not all heartaches can be easily healed.
THE TEA HOUSE ON THE DEATH PASS TO BE TURNED INTO A TV SERIES
News from Deadline say that ZDF and Paramount are going to turn Daniel Edelson's debut novel THE TEA HOUSE ON THE DEATH PASS into a returning series based on the true story of hundreds of hikers who became trapped while trekking in the Himalayas. Back in October 2014 in Nepal’s Himalayan Mountains, hundreds of hikers become trapped on the Annapurna Range after snowstorms and avalanches turn one of the most breathtaking hiking trails in the world into a death trap. The hikers, from dozens of nations, find themselves fighting for their lives, totally dependent on each other. They must make life-and-death decisions and face moral dilemmas as moments of heroism give rise to the inspiring rescue efforts. Ron Leshem along with Amit Cohen are the show creators.
BBC has dropped a trailer for the second season of their hit series THE TOURIST which will arrive January 1st to BBC One and will later on stream on Netflix as well from February 29th. Set against the striking backdrop of Ireland it follows Jamie Dornan’s Elliot and Helen (Danielle Macdonald) who are dragged into a longstanding feud and faced to deal with the consequences of his past actions. After Elliot quickly goes missing, Helen seeks the help of Detective Ruairi Slater (Conor MacNeill), before secrets of Elliot’s past are later uncovered. In Australia it streams on Stan, in Germany it airs on ZDF. Check out the trailer for the second season of the series below and tell us what you think! I must admit I still have not seen the first season, too many series, too little time.
BBC has released a trailer for the first of the three TV movies based on THE FAMOUS FIVE classic by Enid Blyton. The first movie will air on CBBC December 9th and also on Stan in Australia, and on BBC One around New Year's Eve. The story follows five daring young explorers as they encounter treacherous, action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger and astounding secrets. It will also air on ZDF in Germany.
BBC has released first images from the second season of hit series THE TOURIST which was the most watched new drama in UK last year and it also scored success on Stan in Australia and ZDF in Germany. Jamie Dornan resumes his role as Elliot Stanley, a man looking to rediscover his true identity after his memory loss, alongside Danielle Macdonald as police officer Helen Chambers, following their adventure in the Outback. Set against the striking backdrop of Ireland, the pair are confronted by friends and foes as they attempt to uncover the secrets of Elliot’s past. They are now dragged into a longstanding family feud.
Full of shocking plot twists and the same off-beat comedy that made series one a success, the series is set to return with even more quirky characters and intense action.
A MILLION MILES AWAY
PRIME VIDEO MOVIE TRAILER
Continuing with good drama movies this season, Prime Video has released a deeply moving and inspiring trailer for A MILLION MILES AWAY biopic
The movie will stream from September 15th
on NASA astronaut Jose Fernandez. Out September 15th and inspired by the real-life story of NASA flight engineer José Hernández, it follows him and his devoted family of proud migrant farm workers on a decades-long journey, from a rural village in Michoacán, Mexico, to the fields of the San Joaquin Valley, to more than 200 miles above the Earth in the International Space Station. With the unwavering support of his hard-working parents, relatives, and teachers, José’s unrelenting drive & determination culminates in the opportunity to achieve his seemingly impossible goal. Michael Pena leads the cast with Rosa Salasar as his wife.
Enid Blyton's beloved series of novels is getting a three 90 minute part adaptation from BBC and German ZDF. Nicholas Winding Refn will be the producer and creator of the series that has the story revolving around five daring young explorers as they encounter action-packed adventures, remarkable mysteries, unparalleled danger, and astounding secrets, in an unforgettable odyssey that evokes the power of camaraderie between the fearless young heroes. Moonage Pictures, that made Obsession for Netflix, is working on this one. They say that this will be a modern, timely and irreverent action series with adventure at its heart. The production has already begun so we might get cast info soon, methinks.
After two flops last year with Becoming Elizabethand Dangerous Liaisons, it seems Starz is returning to their old, already proven hits by ordering a sequel series to their legendary SPARTACUS from Steven S. DeKnight! The next chapter will explore uncharted territory and new journeys of the original series’ iconic characters. In the aftermath of the defeat of Spartacus and his rebel army in the series finale, the new drama will depict a new tale of treachery, deceit, and blood unfolding beneath the foreboding shadow of Rome.
THE SWARM TRAILER
FOR NEW GERMAN SERIES
The Swarm arrives this March in Europe
Last summer I showed you the first trailer for German ZDF high end ambitious sf series THE SWARM which our dear Beta Film is distributing around the world, and now we have a new trailer and March 6th air date. Nordic, Italian, Austrian, Swiss and French broadcasters will also take part in this European coproduction which will also stream on Hulu for American audience and will first premiere at Berlinale. The eight part series is an adaption of Frank Schätzing’s novel that has been translated into 25 languages and has Game of Thrones' Frank Doelger as the
It will premiere at Berlinale later this month
executive producer.
THE GLOBAL
environmental thriller is set in the present day, where
anomalies and unnatural behavior in marine animals are causing upheaval
all over the world. Mysterious events from the depths of the oceans are
piling up all over the world: whales are destroying boats, deep-sea
crabs are attacking beaches, and mussels are paralyzing container ships. A previously unknown ice worm is destabilizing continental slopes in
the oceans and triggering tsunamis, and a deadly pathogen is spreading
in drinking water from the coasts. More and more people in the world are
in mortal danger. THE SWARM follows a global group of scientists who
come together to tackle one of the biggest challenges mankind has ever
faced and go on a life-threatening mission on
their own. The traces lead them with their research ship into the
eternal ice. They make the chilling discovery that deep at the bottom of
the sea resides a collective intelligence which has suffered the
ravages of civilization on its habitat - and decided to fight back.
WHO IS IN THE TEAM?
Leonie Benesch plays the marine biology student Charlie Wagner, who collects ocean current data for her professor Katherina Lehmann (Barbara Sukowa) on the Shetland Islands. Alexander Karim plays Sigur Johanson, who is asked by a Norwegian oil company for a biological report and discovers the dangerous ice worm alongside Tina Lund (Krista Kosonen). While French molecular biologist Cecile Roche (Cecile de France) struggles with a deadly bacterium in drinking water, Canadian whale researcher Leon Anawak (Joshua Odjick)
tries to explain the whales' unusually dangerous behavior. The
international research team also has data analyst Alicia Delaware (Rosabell Laurenti Sellers), space researcher Samantha Crowe (Sharon Duncan-Brewster) as well as the student Amir (Eidin Jalali) and the Japanese philanthropist Mifune (Takuya Kimura). Alban (Oliver Masucci), captain of the technically sophisticated research ship Thorvaldson, and the diving robotics expert Roscovitz (Klaas Heufer-Umlauf) embark on a daring mission into the eternal ice with the scientists. Our boy Jack Greenlees also stars. In USA the series will air on CW probably in late 2023.
Although it will not air anytime this year, as it is scheduled to arrive sometime in 2023, German ZDF has released the first teaser trailer and character posters for their high end ambitious sf series THE SWARM which our dear Beta Film is distributing around the world. Nordic, Italian and
Der Schwarm will arrive in 2023!
French broadcasters will also take part in this European coproduction. The eight part series is an adaption of Frank Schätzing’s novel that has been translated into 25 languages and has Game of Thrones' Frank Doelger as the executive producer.
The global environmental thriller is set in the present day, where
anomalies and unnatural behavior in marine animals are causing upheaval
all over the world. Mysterious events from the depths of the oceans are
piling up all over the world: whales are destroying boats, deep-sea
crabs are attacking beaches, and mussels are paralyzing container ships.
A previously unknown ice worm is destabilizing continental slopes in
the oceans and triggering tsunamis, and a deadly pathogen is spreading
in drinking water from the coasts. More and more people in the world are
in mortal danger. THE SWARM follows a global group of scientists who
come together to tackle one of the biggest challenges mankind has ever
faced and go on a life-threatening mission on
their own. The traces lead them with their research ship into the
eternal ice. They make the chilling discovery that deep at the bottom of
the sea resides a collective intelligence which has suffered the
ravages of civilization on its habitat - and decided to fight back.
WHO IS IN THE TEAM?
Leonie Benesch plays the marine biology student Charlie Wagner, who collects ocean current data for her professor Katherina Lehmann (Barbara Sukowa) on the Shetland Islands. Alexander Karim plays Sigur Johanson, who is asked by a Norwegian oil company for a biological report and discovers the dangerous ice worm alongside Tina Lund (Krista Kosonen). While French molecular biologist Cecile Roche (Cecile de France) struggles with a deadly bacterium in drinking water, Canadian whale researcher Leon Anawak (Joshua Odjick) tries to explain the whales' unusually dangerous behavior. The international research team also has data analyst Alicia Delaware (Rosabell Laurenti Sellers), space researcher Samantha Crowe (Sharon Duncan-Brewster) as well as the student Amir (Eidin Jalali) and the Japanese philanthropist Mifune (Takuya Kimura). Alban (Oliver Masucci), captain of the technically sophisticated research ship Thorvaldson, and the diving robotics expert Roscovitz (Klaas Heufer-Umlauf) embark on a daring mission into the eternal ice with the scientists.
We're family friendly today (don't miss our spotlight on Christmas 2021 movies on Sunday), starting with a fairy tale movie coming this
The film is out this November on Norway
November from Norway. THREE WISHES FOR CINDERELLA with pop star Astrid Smeplass in the title role and Cengiz Al as the prince. Game of ThronesKristofer Hivju and Vikings' ThorBjorn Harr also star. It is a magnificent remake of Czech Christmas' classic. Join Cinderella into snow covered forests, and up on the sparkling Norwegian high mountains in her battle against the evil stepmother. Astrid Smeplass makes her feature film debut in the lead role as Cinderella, in a movie which will be a breathtaking ride, including brilliant archery and of course - castle ball with crazy dresses and a solid dose of magic.
THEODOSIA TV SERIES
AN ADVENTURE FOR KIDS
Here's something period set but for kids: Federation Entertainment, ZDF and HBO Max are arriving soon to MipCom with a 26 half hour episodes series THEODOSIA based on the books by Robin LaFevers.
Theodosia arrives October 12th to MipCom
HBO Max will launch it October 26th around Europe with Eloise Little in the lead role of Theodosia, Nana Agyeman Bediako as her magician friend Will and Yasmina El-Abd as Egyptian princess Safiya. Theodosia Throckmorton is the smart, bold 14 year old daughter of two intrepid Egyptologists, excavating in the Valley of the Kings in 1906. When Theo and her younger brother, invention mad Henry, stumble upon a hidden tomb and a mysterious artifact, the 'Eye of Horus', Theo unlocks the power to see and perform true magic, thus discovering a whole new world of mystery as well as danger. Now,
Theodosia will air on HBO Max, German ZDF and Salto in France
from her parent's home, the world famous Museum of Legends and Antiquities in the heart of Edwardian London, Theo must do battle with ancient forces, dark magic and comic chaos as she and Henry, along with their friends, street magician Will and Egyptian Princess Safiya, try to survive teenage life, get through education and... save the whole world.
It has been such a slow week when it comes to finding new movie and television news for you, spylings, I guess it is that part of the summer when
Ottilie aired in Germany back in 2019
Hollywood goes into slumber, so I will entertain you with something a bit old today. Period set television series OTTILIE VON FABER CASTELL has already aired some time ago in Germany, Portugal and Italy (where it scored rather high viewing numbers over at RAI), but German network ZDF has now sold it to broadcasters around Europe and also to new streamer Globi that covers North America, so a lot of you will be able to see this story about a brilliant young woman navigating the pitfalls of 19th century business, family and forbidden love. Kristin Suckow, Martin Wuttke, and Johannes Zirner
Count Castel will not find much luck in love with Ottilie
star in the series about the heiress to world's most famous pen and office material production company. Check out the short trailer below.
OTTILIE VON FABER CASTELL
is set at the end of the 19th century in Germany, when a
16 year-old girl, Ottilie von Faber, inherits her grandfather’s global
manufacturing business. In this male dominated world, Ottilie uses all
her talent and knowledge to prove
Although rich as Midas, Ottilie cannot choose the one she loves
herself and steer the company to
greater success. She marries Count Castell and starts a family, but the
unconventional Ottilie finds herself deeply in love with someone else,
the dashing Philipp von Brand.
As I usually say - I like to watch apocalyptic shows as you can never be too prepared, and two new cataclysmic series were announced this week. HBO Max has set Mackenzie Davis and Himesh Patel as leads of their ten episode show STATION ELEVEN a post-apocalyptic saga spanning multiple timelines. It tells the stories of survivors of a devastating flu as they attempt to
Himesh Patel and Mackenzie Davis are leading Station 11
rebuild and reimagine the world anew while holding on to the best of what’s been lost. David Wilmot, Matilda Lawler, Nabhaan Rizwan, Philippine Velge, Daniel Zovatto, Luca Villacis, Dylan Taylor and Lori Petty will also star in the show based on the international bestseller by Emily St. John Mandel.
THE SWARM GLOBAL SERIES
SETS INTERNATIONAL CAST
Meanwhile, Europe is preparing big-budget series based on the Frank Schätzing best-seller THE SWARM, and has gathered a global cast of stars for the eight part environmental thriller. Cécile de France, Sharon Duncan Brewster, our dearest boo Jack Greenlees (whom we fell in love
Swarm is already shooting in Italy and will move to Belgium
with in Harlots), Lydia Wilson, Krista Kosonen, Alexander Karim, Leonie Benesch and Barbara Sukowa will star next to Takuya Kimura, Takehiro Hiera, Rosabell Laurenti Sellers, Dutch Johnson and Joshua Odjick! The series, being done for German ZDF, chronicles the struggle of
Cecile De France, Jack Greenlees, Alexander Karim will star
humankind against an unknown swarm intelligence that lives in the depths of the sea. When humanity’s pollution and wanton exploitation of the seas disturb this mysterious collective, it strikes back, threatening all human life on earth. The fate of the world rests in the hands of a small group of scientists.
Well, we haven't had a lot of Canadian projects announced here, but this one sounds interesting and German ZDF has just bought world sales rights on it, so the world might see it as well. WHITE NIGHT will be an eight episode series from CBC, Canadian broadcaster. In 1970, a pivotal encounter with her soon to be mentor, Aidrian Flanagan, allows Louise Hébert (Rose Marie Perreault) to become a supermodel and eventually launch her first perfume,
Jean Philippe Perras, France Castel, Rose Marie Perreault will star
White Night, whose success sparks the creation of her cosmetics empire, Nocturne. Often out of necessity, but most of the time by choice, Louise has given up certain ideals over the years to become a formidable businesswoman of the 21st century.
In the modern day, after a reception hailing her achievements, Loulou (France Castel will play her in older age) is found dead, alone, in her garden. Accident, murder or worst, suicide? Her heirs – and the audience – will wrestle with that question as her children fight to maintain the family company. Jean-Philippe Perras will also star.
