C5 orders moon doc UK broadcaster Channel 5 has ordered Dara Ó Briain: Secrets of Our Moon (working title), a new two-part series following the comedian as he explores all aspects of our natural satellite. Produced by BBC Studios Science Unit, the 2 x 60-minute series sees the presenter take viewers on a journey to […]
Dr Markus Frerker is to exit his post as chief operating officer at Germany’s private equity-backed Leonine at the end of the month. The group, whose holdings include factual firm Gebrueder Beetz and Bonn producer Odeon Fiction, said that he would not be renewing his contract and is departing “upon his own wish and on […]
Set against the backdrop of 1950s Germany, Odeon Fiction’s new historical drama series Bonn depicts the early days of West Germany, a country struggling to break free from the terrors and legacies of World War Two and longing for a ‘normal’ life. Helmed by Claudia Garde, the 6 x 60-minute series follows Toni Schmidt (Mercedes […]
US-based Upgrade Productions has hired Mediawan and Leonine Studios exec Caroline Kusser as EVP and head of series. In her new role, Kusser will oversee the development, distribution and production of the firm’s series, working alongside Upgrade co-presidents Matt Brodlie and Jonathan Kier. Kusser joined Mediawan and Leonine Studios in January as EVP of international […]
Germany’s Leonine Studios has acquired a 50% controlling stake in local factual production firm Gebrueder Beetz Filmproduktion. Leonine has also secured the right to acquire the remaining 50% of the company, as part of the deal, as well as 100% of its Lüneburg-based production arm directly. The prodco, which has locations in Berlin, Hamburg and […]
Germany’s Leonine Studios has appointed producer and UFA Fiction alum Benjamin Benedict to the management team of its Wiedemann & Berg Television. He will lead the company, together with Oliver Vogel, Max Wiedemann and Quirin Berg. Benedict previously served at UFA Fiction as head of high-end drama, managing director and producer, with credits including The […]
Germany’s Leonine Studios has struck a deal to acquire Berlin-based entertainment outfit Hyperbole Medien. The company is known for socially relevant entertainment shows including Germania for ZDF and 13 Fragen for ZDFneo, as well as being behind German political journalism YouTube channel Die Da Oben. Leonine is buying its stake from MD Bastian Asdonk, who will remain […]
Leonine Studios has restructured and renamed Germany’s Odeon Entertainment and hired a former RedSeven Entertainment exec to run the new-look prodco. Tina Wagner will lead unscripted-focused Madame Zheng Production, which will replace the Odeon Entertainment name. Martin Schneider, the long-standing MD of Odeon, will take up the same role at the newly named firm and […]
This 10-part procedural taps into the surging popularity for supernatural drama and combines it with a playful twist on the real estate market. SurrealEstate revolves around the operations of Luke Roman and his property consultancy, The Roman Agency, a unique and in demand organisation that promises to investigate the causes of haunted houses to enable […]
