Sofía Fábregas has been named Vice President of Original Production in Spain for Disney+, which announced its first originals in France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.
The Walt Disney Company EMEA made major announcements this week for Disney+ in Europe, where it will finally begin producing original content.
The company announced the appointment of Sofía Fábregas as VP of Original Production in Spain for Disney+.
Fabregas comes to Disney after a long career as an executive producer of successful films and series such as Antidisturbios. She will be in charge of developing and producing original content under the Disney and Star brands for Disney+, reporting to Simón Amselem, CEO of The Walt Disney Company Iberia, as well as Diego Londoño, Executive Vice President, Media Networks and Content, The Walt Disney Company EMEA.
Spain, however, has been left out of the first OTT originals.
France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands are included with a total of 10 projects among the four, in addition to the intentions to produce up to 50 local productions in Europe for the Star sub-brand by 2024.
“Our local production strategy is the best example of our commitment to produce quality original content, adapted to the markets, but with the ambition to attract audiences from all over the world. Europe is known for being a creative powerhouse, which, together with the Disney experience, will ensure that Disney+ is the destination for engaging and engaging entertainment in Europe,” said Diego Londono, Executive Vice President of Media Networks and Content at The Walt Disney Company EMEA.
Liam Keelan, Vice President, Original Content, The Walt Disney Company EMEA, added: “These first ten projects embody our ambitious vision for local production. This initial offering in Europe underscores Disney’s commitment to world-class and diverse creators in the region, reflecting our desire to work with the best storytellers in the industry.”
THE 10 EUROPEAN SERIES ANNOUNCED
France
Oussekine, a four-part Star Original mini-series that recreates the shocking true events of December 5, 1986, surrounding the death of young student Malik Oussekine. The series, which focuses on his family’s quest for justice, will explore the great impact the case had on French society. Oussekine is created and directed by Antoine Chevrollier (Baron Noir, the Bureau des Légendes). Faïza Guène, Julien Lilti and Cédric Ido are the scriptwriters.
Parallels, from the creator Quoc Dang Tran (Marianne, Nox) and written by Anastasia Heinzl, is a Disney + original fantasy series that follows four teenagers, whose life takes a dramatic turn when a mysterious event scatters the group into different dimensions parallel. They will do their best to understand what has happened and go home. This adventure, full of mystery and suspense, is produced by Empreinte Digitale (Raphaël Rocher and Eric Laroche) and Daïmôn Films (Quoc Dang Tran).
Weekend Family, a Disney+ Original, is a fun comedy that tells the life of a family of divorced parents who meet every weekend. But when the father begins a relationship with a new partner, the weekends take an unexpected turn. Weekend Family is produced by Groupe Elephant. Baptiste Filleul (LA FORET) is the creator and is written by Nour Bensalem, Géraldine de Margerie, Julie-Anna Grignon, Marion Carnel and Paul Madillo.
Soprano: Sing or Die, a Star Original documentary series that will offer unique and exclusive access to one of France’s most popular artists as he and his team prepare for a gigantic multi-stadium tour during the summer of 2022. The series tells the story of Soprano and his friends from their humble beginnings in Marseille to their current success.
Italy
The Good Mothers offers a twist on the crime genre: this is the mob seen entirely from the perspective of women. Juliette Howell (You, Me, and the Apocalypse, Birdsong) and Tessa Ross of House Productions (Brexit: The Uncivil War) are executive producers of this Star Original series for Disney+, alongside Mario Guanani and Lorenzo Gangarossa of Wildside. It is written by BAFTA winner Stephen Butchard (Central Baghdad) and based on the book by renowned HFPA journalist Alex Perry. The series tells the shocking true story of three women who were raised in one of the clans of the richest and most dangerous Italian mafia and how they worked with a brave lawyer to bring him down. They must fight with their own families for the right to survive and build a future for their children.
Boris, for Star: a fun format of “show within a show” that previously spawned three seasons and a movie. Set behind the scenes of a fictional low-budget doctor series, The Eyes of the Heart, this new season reunites the original cast. They will soon discover that the world of television has changed. Social networks, influencers and the various streaming platforms are the ones that rule now. How will our protagonists face this new world? Boris is produced by The Apartment, a Femantle company.
Ignorant Angels, for Star: a romantic drama inspired by the Italian blockbuster Le Fate Ignoranti (The Ignorant Fairy), is a series by Turkish-Italian director Ferzan Ozpetek. When Antonia Massimo’s husband dies in a car accident, he discovers that he has been involved in an affair with a man named Michele. The news leaves her devastated, but Antonia finds herself embroiled in an unexpected and close friendship with Michele and his group of eccentric friends. The Ignorant Angels is produced by R&C Productions.
Germany
Sam- A Saxon, a Star Original drama based on a true story, is now in development. Big Window Productions produces this series based on the true story of Samuel Meffire, East Germany’s first black policeman. The series tells how Meffire became a media idol and a symbol of a modern society after reunification in 1990. But a few years later, he himself ended up in jail as an enemy of the state. Sam – A Saxon is produced by Emmy winner Jörg Winger (Deutschland 83) and Tyron Ricketts.
The black comedy Sultan City, from producers Ayla Gottschlich and Aysel Yilmaz and screenwriter Ipek Zübert, tells the story of the respectable matriarch of a Turkish-German family who accidentally becomes the head of a criminal underworld and discovers that both she and his daughters have extraordinary talent for business. It will also be for Star.
Holland
Feyenoord Rotterdam is a gripping sports documentary from the Netherlands. Produced by Lusus, this popular soccer club has opened its doors to show us what happens off the field.
