Germany, France to remake Turkish drama, Netflix buys tape

German network Sat.1 is developing a local version of Turkish conspiracy drama The End, while Shine France is also preparing a local version and Netflix has acquired the original.

The German deal will see FremantleMedia-owned UFA developing a remake for the ProSiebenSat.1-owned terrestrial channel Sat.1.

The End, which Ay Yapim produced in Turkey and Eccho Rights sells globally, tells the story of a grieving wife whose life is thrown into turmoil when she learns her husband did not die in a plane crash as she had been told.

Michael Esser, producer at UFA, said: “The End is a very interesting format because it is thrilling and melodramatic at the same time. This makes it a unique proposition for our audiences and UFA is looking forward to develop The End for Sat.1 in Germany.”

Meanwhile, producer Shine France has taken an option to create a French version, though no broadcaster is yet attached.

Ruth McCance, head of fiction at Eccho Rights said: “Turkish scripts work so well in a wide range of territories because they combine strong plots with deep characters whose emotional lives are drawn in compelling detail. We’re very pleased that top creatives in the US, Russia and now France and Germany have recognised the potential to make a thrilling show for their own territories.”

Furthermore, Netflix has acquired non-exclusive rights to the original series for its UK and Swedish feeds.

In the US, Fox has greenlit producer Sander/Moses Productions to create a straight-to-series remake under the title Runner. TBI first revealed news of the American version in May last year before further details leaked in October.

A Russian End is also being produced, with Russian World Studios attached.

The original finished tape has sold to another 35 territories.