Lagardère eyes Italian market

French producer and distributor Lagardère Entertainment is to ramp up its activities in Italy after striking a deal to develop series with Italian firm Adline.

Lagardère wants to coproduce a number of international drama series with Italian broadcasters and will work with Adline’s president Jean-Luc Berlot to fund this development.

This comes after Lagardère stepped up its production of English-language series in recent years with series including Borgia, created by Tom Fontana, and Le Grand, which was created by Law & Order showrunner René Balcer and starred Jean Reno.

“Italy has always been a partner of choice for French producers, said Takis Candilis, president of Lagardère Entertainment. “It is logical that we professionalise our strategy in this market.”

Berlot added: “I am delighted that the strengths of Lagardère Entertainment
and adline will be brought together: on one side, renowned expertise in major international series, and on the other an in-depth knowledge of the Italian market and its players.”