Marathon Studio & Terence Films, Banijay France companies, will co-produce Keshet’s hit Israeli romantic comedy for TF1 under La Belle et Le Boulanger.
Keshet International announced that it has closed a major licensing deal for the French adaptation of the Israeli romantic comedy The Baker and the Beauty. Marathon Studio and Terence Films (both part of Banijay France) will co-produce the series for TF1 under the name La Belle et Le Boulanger. The series begins shooting this week in Paris.
This order from France’s largest commercial television network marks Keshet’s first adaptation of a scripted format in France.
The French adaptation La Belle et Le Boulanger is directed by Hervé Mimran (Tout ce qui brille). It is written by Caroline Franc, Marion Michau, Jane Rioufol, Léa Lando, and Ichem Saïbi, with the collaboration of Amir Haddad and Ludmilla von Claer.
Based on the acclaimed Israeli format created by Assi Azar and first produced by Endemol Shine Israel for Keshet 12, the series follows the impossible love story between an international superstar and a humble baker.
Malika Abdellaoui, CEO of Marathon Studio, says: “It is a pleasure to bring the French adaptation of The Baker and the Beauty to the screen. In this French remake, the first fiction series starring Amir, I was seduced by the unexpected duo of a baker and a supermodel. Behind this impossible love story is also the story of Benjamin’s (Amir) family and the bakery: a story of the transmission of craftsmanship, know-how, and French traditions. I thank TF1, Anne Didier, and Solène Bouton for their guidance and support throughout the literary development, and Keshet International for entrusting us with this fantastic format.”
Bertrand Cohen and Stéphane Meunier, CEO of Terence Films, said, “We loved the original version of the series written by Assi Azar, and we are delighted to be working with TF1 again. Marion Michau and Caroline Franc’s fine work in adapting the series consisted of giving a family dimension to a romantic comedy while retaining its wit and humor. I am very happy with the cast, and I know that under the direction of Hervé Mimran, the characters will be wonderfully fleshed out.”
Kelly Wright, Managing Director of Distribution at Keshet International, says: “The Baker and the Beauty is one of those formats with undeniable universal appeal. We are delighted to collaborate with Marathon Studio, Terence Films, TF1, and a top-notch cast to bring French viewers a French adaptation of this love story of opposites. I do not doubt that Amir and Ludmilla will have everyone hooked.”
Keshet International has already licensed The Baker and the Beauty in several territories, including the United States, where Keshet Studios produced the American adaptation for ABC (in association with Universal Television and ABC Studios). The adaptation was also produced in the Netherlands for NET5 (as Bagels and Bubbles), in Russia for CTC, and most recently in India by Annapurna Studios for streamer aha.
The finished tapes of seasons one and two of the Israeli original series were licensed to Amazon for Amazon Prime in a global deal from Keshet International, and all three seasons are available for screening with various broadcast partners worldwide.
