ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE ALLIANCE'S NEXT CO-PRODUCTIONS (FRANCE TELEVISIONS / RAI / ZDF)

The European Alliance reinforces an original and diversified creative strategy that promotes cultural diversity and European talent through ambitious high-end productions, which broaden the field of TV fiction and aim at international markets.

The European Alliance has already started to produce the major contemporary 6x52' thriller series "Mirage" (Lincoln TV and Cinéflix with France Télévisions and ZDF). French-Canadian actress Marie-Josée Croze, British comedian Clive Standen and German actor Hannes Jaenicke are starring in the series, which is directed by Louis Choquette and broadcasted in spring 2020

Earlier this December, principal photography started in Italy for the 8x50' drama series "Leonardo", dedicated to a historical character who embodies the cultural and human power of the Renaissance, in a synthesis that unites a powerful Italian identity with a wealth of values of universal relevance. Created by Frank Spotnitz and Steve Thompson, the series is produced by Lux Vide in collaboration with RAI Fiction, Big Light Productions, co-produced with and distributed by Sony Pictures Television, and in association with France Télévisions. Leonardo is directed by Daniel Percival, starring Irish actor Aidan Turner as Leonardo da Vinci, British actor Freddie Highmore as the fictional law officer Stefano Giraldi, Italian actress Matilda de Angelis as Caterina da Cremona, Italian actor Giancarlo Giannini as Andrea del Verrocchio and the French actor Robin Renucci as Piero, Leonardo’s father.

A third emblematic project is the 8x60 series "Around the World in 80 Days" (Slim TV and Federation Entertainment in collaboration with France Télévisions, ZDF and RAI Fiction), based on Jules Verne's novel. The shooting will start in February 2020 in South Africa. British actor David Tennant as Phileas Fogg, French actor Ibrahim Koma as Passepartout and German actress Leonie Benesch as journalist Abigail Fix will be part of the cast.

The European Alliance is currently developing seven new projects and also announced to focus on nonlinear demands.

« In its European vision and the desire to promote French talent outside our borders, France Télévisions fulfils its public service mission. By creating the Alliance, which brings together European public channels, we want to open international doors for many talents and initiate original projects of a larger scale » says Nathalie Biancolli, SVP of International Co-production and Acquisitions at France Télévisions.

«The Alliance is a strategic production laboratory for public service broadcasters. It represents an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to construct projects at the highest level in terms of international quality, marked by variety and talent. We have shown that it is possible to create such projects in a pragmatic manner based on shared values, making the most of the original contribution and creativity provided by each individual party.» says Eleonora Andreatta, Head of Drama, RAI.