Prime Video remakes ‘Popstars’ in France & unveils ‘Big Brother’ drama amid raft of new shows

Popstars

Amazon Prime Video is expanding its originals slate in France with a remake of veteran format Popstars, as well as a drama that tracks the rise of Big Brother and a coming-of-age story about a young man learning the art of decision-making.

The reboot of Banijay-owned format Popstars comes more than two decades since the format first aired in France on M6, with the show moving to D8 after four seasons. It was originally created by Essential Productions in Australia.

The Prime Video version (8 x 40 minutes), which is being produced by Banijay’s DMLS TV and ALP Productions, will again see young talent being paired with artists as they attempt to form a pop group and record their first songs.

The order marks the latest unscripted format order for Prime Video in France, which is building on recent success with shows such as LOL and Celebrity Hunted, the latter another Banijay format.

En Terrasse

The show was originally developed by Essential Productions and is owned by Banijay via Screentime Australia. The format is also returning to screens in New Zealand, following a TVNZ order last year.

Lofty intentions

Prime Video has also ordered miniseries Trash, which has been inspired by real events and reveals the behind-the-scenes story of Big Brother in France, where it was titled Loft Story.

The drama has been created and written by Matthieu Rumani and Nicolas Slomka (Family Business) and directed by Louis Farge, with The Last Panthers‘ Jean-Alain Laban also attached.

It takes viewers back to 2001 and delves into the effect that Loft Story, which debuted on M6 in France, had on the team making the show as they attempt to create a hit in what was then an emerging genre.

The 6 x 52-minute series is produced by Screen Line – the Banijay-owned prodco launched via ALP last week – and 27 Tribe, which is made up of Georgia Poivre, Clara Levy, Frédéric Lussato and Alexia Laroche-Joubert, the real Loft Story producer in 2001).

Loft Story marked the first international remake of the Big Brother format, which was created by Endemol and is now owned by Banijay.

Prime Video has also ordered fellow scripted series Nudes, which is directed by Sylvie Verheyde (Madame Claude), Lucie Borleteau (Fidelio) and Andréa Bescond (Les Chatouilles).

Squeezie

The 10-parter is produced by Wild Bunch and Alcatraz Films, with the story tracking how the increasing virtualisation of human relationships and sexuality has disrupted Gen Z.

Docs, comedy & movies

On the unscripted side, Prime Video has commissioned Comedy Class (8 x 40 minutes), which is from ITV Studios and takes viewers into iconic comedy clubs to find the star of tomorrow, as well as an untitled docuseries exploring the life of famous YouTuber Squeezie.

The show will explore how the social media star – real name Lucas Hauchard – secured more than 18 million subscribers on YouTube while also reflecting on his rise to fame, using footage filmed by his friend and director Théodore Bonnet over the past decade. Mediawan produces.

A second season of Miskina, Poor Thing has also been confirmed by Prime Video, which has also confirmed a slew of movies.

Sulak is directed by Mélanie Laurent and takes viewers into the tumultuous world of Bruno Sulak, described as the Arsène Lupin of the 20th Century, while comedy The Infallibles and The Stunning Christmas of the Silestones (working title) have also been confirmed.

Other comedies include Sentinelle, which is being co-directed by Hugo Benamozig and David Caviglioli (Terrible Jungle), while Prime Video has also ordered thriller Tigers And Hyenas, football movie Number 10, and Feuilleman., whihc is from YouTubers Pierre Niney, McFly and Carlito. Finally, action film Kali follows a former Special Forces recruit as she heads to Brazil.