From Series Mania in Lille, Banijay France today announces Screenline Productions, StudioFact Stories, and newspaper Le Parisien, will jointly-develop new drama series, L’Arnaqueuse de Kiabi (W/T). The title is inspired by the ongoing Aurélie B case, which has captured the public opinion since October last year.
Based on the investigation and exclusive revelations from Le Parisien, the series will explore the story of Mrs Aurélie B, the former treasurer of fashion brand Kiabi, who allegedly embezzled over €100 million. An unassuming woman, she is accused of reportedly exploiting financial loopholes for over a decade to fuel an extravagant lifestyle. After a meteoric rise, it all came to a head when she was arrested by authorities in August 2024, but to date, she is presumed innocent, with the case ongoing.
Alexia Laroche-Joubert, President and CEO of Banijay France, and Frédéric Lussato, Screenline Productions say: “We recently made a strong debut into drama, and this new project keeps the momentum to deliver immersive and impactful stories that align with market expectation. The Aurélie B case is a fascinating story of alleged deception and fraud, driven by a complex, romantic character with a dark side. With Le Parisen and StudioFact by our side, we are confident this series will find its audience, especially those drawn to tales inspired by true events.”
Jacques Aragones and Roxane Rouas-Rafowicz, Directors and Founders of StudioFact Media group and Ivan Sadik, Managing Director of StudioFact Stories say: “The story of Aurélie B fits perfectly into StudioFact’s mission – to portray life in its shadows and its light. With the power of investigative journalism, we will bring this extraordinary case to life, crafting a drama that is as gripping as it is revealing.”
Screenline Productions launched in July 2023 and is behind Prime Video hit Culte, a fictional story inspired by a true event, the launch of Loft Story (Big Brother) in France, starring Anaïde Rozam, César Domboy, Sami Outalbali, Marie Colomb and Nicolas Briançon.
Banijay France is home to the industry’s best local and international talent, and boasts an ever-growing portfolio of premium, high-impact content, with titles like Shine Fiction’s Apple+ series Carême, international hit Marie Antoinette, Alain Goldman’s Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight from Montmartre Films for Netflix, and Montmartre, a co-production between Authentic Prod and TF1.