Undercover Leader rises with Can’t Stop

Matthieu Porte’s boutique distributor Can’t Stop Media has bagged spaces rights to Undercover Leader, a politics-themed format current making waves in France.

The format, from indie Equilibre Production and for Canal+-owned D8, sees top-ranking politicians anonymously take on jobs and roles of ordinary people to understand the hardships of their constituents. Their identities are hidden by an advanced prosthetics makeover.

French media has responded to the one-hour format, which is yet to launch on D8 where it will be known as Politiques Undercover, by questioning whether politicians should undergo such experiences.

“The way the show makes the headlines even though it has not been seen by anyone confirms the relevance of the format,” said former Zodiak exec and Can’t Stop founder and CEO Porte.

Olivier Hallé, Equilibre’s CEO added: “I’m thrilled to collaborate with Can’t Stop Media to make the show’s idea travel internationally as in many countries political leaders are regularly criticised for being out of touch with people’s daily issues”.