Disney+ unveils European hires & extensive regional slate

Global streamer Disney+ has hired two new execs in Spain and Germany to head up original productions and unveiled a slate of 10 new European commissions.

Sofía Fábregas has been named as VP of original productions in Iberia, while Entertainment One exec Benjamina Mirnik-Voges has been appointed to the same role in Germany.

Both will be responsible for the development and production of local Disney and Star-branded original content for Disney+ and will report to Diego London, EVP of media networks and content and Liam Keelan, VP of original content, at The Walt Disney Company EMEA.

European ambitions

The 10 announced projects form the initial wave in Disney’s plan to commission 50 European productions by 2024. Four of the commissions are in France and include two Star originals and two for Disney+.

For Star, four-part miniseries Oussekine is created and directed by Antoine and will examine the true events surrounding the death of a young student, Malik Oussekine, in 1986.

Documentary series Soprano: Sing Or Die will meanwhile follow French rapper and singer Soprano as he prepares for a stadium tour in 2022.

French productions for Disney+ include Parallels, from Quoc Dang Tran and Anastasia Heinzl, and produced by Empreinte Digitale and Daïmôn Film, which follows four teenagers whose lives are turned upside down when a mysterious event propels them into parallel dimensions. Weekend Family, meanwhile, is a comedy produced by Groupe Elephant, chronicling the life of a new stepfamily that meet up every weekend.

Three Star originals are being produced in Italy and include mafia series The Good Mothers, from House Productions and Wildside, and based on the book by Alex Perry. Fremantle-owned The Apartment is also producing a new version of comedy Boris, while a romantic drama is on the way based on box office hit The Ignorant Angels and produced by R&C Productions.

Global appeal

German drama Sam: A Saxon is meanwhile being produced for the streamer by Big Window Productions, while also from Germany comes dark comedy Sultan City from producers Ayla Gottschlich and Aysel Yilmazand.

Sports documentary Feyenoord Rotterdam, meanwhile, is being produced in the Netherlands by Lusus Media

Londono said: “Our commissioning strategy showcases our commitment to producing world-class original content, tailored to local markets but with the creative ambition to appeal to audiences across the globe,” commented Diego Londono.

“Europe has a global reputation as a creative powerhouse, which, combined with Disney’s expertise in high-quality storytelling and its relationships with top talent on- and off-screen, will ensure Disney+ is the go-to destination for compelling and engaging entertainment in Europe.”