Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: Netflix

  1. Human Playground Narrated by Idris Elba Launches on Netflix

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    Human Playground, the six-part Netflix docu-series about the origins and evolution of the most unique sports around the world, will launch internationally in 193 countries on Friday, September 30, 2022. Dutch label Scenery and Manchester- based company, both Banijay companies, have joined forces to co-produce the high-end series, which is narrated by Idris Elba, who also serves as an Executive Producer. The series also brings together editor of BBC Earth & Our Planet, director Tomas Kaan and photographer and creator Hannelore Vandenbussche.

    The high-end docu-series is about the origin and evolution of exceptional sports around the world. From centuries-old rituals to billion-dollar businesses. In six episodes, narrator Idris Elba takes viewers around the world to discover: Why We Play.  The visual spectacle Human Playground dives into the world of, among others, the unique robot camel races in the United Arab Emirates, Big Wave surfing in Nazaré Portugal and Eagle Hunting in Kyrgyzstan.

    Tomas Kaan, Director of Human Playground says: “I knew we had something to grab when we decided to use play as a lens to examine ourselves – the playing human being. However, I could not have imagined in advance how many sides this story has to it. All those smells and colors, emotions, and cultures. Blood and sweat splashing against the lens. Human Playground was an unforgettable adventure in every way.”

    Isidoor Roebers, Producer Human Playground and founder of Scenery says: “After four years of shooting under all kinds of conditions in 25 countries during a pandemic, we are extremely proud of the end result of this Netflix docu-series. The thought that this series will soon be shown all over the world still feels unreal.”

    Rick Murray, Executive Producer and Managing Director of Workerbee says: “When Scenery introduced us to this project it felt like a perfect fit for Idris as narrator, and for Netflix. We are delighted to have helped get the project off the ground, the team in Amsterdam are world class and we hope to work with them again in the not-too-distant future”

    The idea for the series started originally in the form of a book by creator Hannelore Vandenbussche, who was inspired during her work as the assistant photographer on the highly successful photobook: Before they pass away. She has made it her mission to portray the most special sports in the world. “Human Playground takes a look at the most impressive playing fields in the world and shows how far people are willing to go when it comes to playing a game. Human Playground is not just about sports, it’s about what makes us human,” says Hannelore Vandenbussche.

    Thanks to Scenery’s partner in China, Content Connected, Human Playground will also launch on the largest Chinese streamer Youku later this year, bringing the docu-series to more than 1 billion people. It is the first Dutch-produced documentary series to launch worldwide on Netflix. In line with the series, there will also be an exclusive coffee table photo book (published by TeNeues), various art prints, and several art exhibitions will be organized. Among others during UNSEEN, the international photography fair.

  2. Samuel Kujala and Roderick Kabanga Star in Dance Brothers – The First Finnish Series Premiering Globally on Netflix

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    Today, Netflix announced that Samuel Kujala and Roderick Kabanga will play the leading roles in Dance Brothers, the first Finnish series premiering globally on Netflix. The young adult drama series is a co-production between Netflix and Yle, and is created and produced by Max Malka at Banijay’s Endemol Shine Finland.

    Dance Brothers centers around the two brothers Roni (Roderick Kabanga) and Sakari (Samuel Kujala), as they struggle to make a living as professional dancers. To help finance their dance dreams they decide to start their own club, which provides income, housing and a training space. Their unique club and impressive dance routines quickly bring them fame. Soon artistic ambitions and personal relationships collide with commercial demands, it’s business versus passion. The loyalty and love the brothers have for each other will be tested by the one thing that always united them – dance.

    Kai Finke, Director EMEA TV Licensing at Netflix: “I am thrilled to share that our Finnish language co-production Dance  Brothers is currently filming in Helsinki. In Yle and with Endemol Shine Finland we are happy to have two incredibly strong local partners. I can’t wait to see this story come to life, and I am convinced the show will appeal to both a local and a global audience. ”

    Max Malka, Head of Scripted at Endemol Shine Finland: “This is a special project, not only because it is a unique and ground-breaking take on the dance genre, but we have created a series that will showcase the very best of Finnish creativity on all levels. The combination of high-quality drama, exciting dance and a diverse group of talent makes this the dream project for us.”

    Other cast members include Jeanine Muyima, Fanni Noroila, Lauri Lohi, Eeva Eloranta and ​​Cristal Snow.

    Dance Brothers is a co-production between Netflix and Yle, and produced by Banijay’s Endemol Shine Finland. The series is directed by Taito Kawata, and created and produced by Max Malka, who also serves as writer together with Reeta Ruotsalainen.

    The Finnish language series will release globally on Netflix in 2023 and will later also be available on Yle. Premiere date is still to be announced.

     

  3. Filming underway for adaptation of Almudena Grandes’ novel Los pacientes del doctor García

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    Banijay Iberia’s Diagonal TV announces the television adaptation of Almudena Grandes’ bestseller Los pacientes del doctor García (Tusquets Editores). Produced by RTVE, Diagonal TV (Banijay Iberia) and DeAPlaneta, in association with Netflix, the series will be directed by Joan Noguera (‘Isabel’, ‘Sin identidad’, ‘Mercado central’) and written by José Luis Martín (‘Isabel’).

     

    Filming began this week in Segovia with an ensemble cast led by Javier Rey, Tamar Novas and Verónica Echegui, and will continue until June on location in Segovia, Madrid and Guadalajara.

     

    The story connects real and unknown events from World War II and Franco’s Regime, as it portrays the lives of characters who are impacted by the current affairs of both Spain and Argentina. The series follows republican doctor, Guillermo García (Javier Rey), living in Madrid under a false identity following Franco’s victory in the Spanish Civil War. Dr. García becomes embroiled in an undercover operation involving war criminals and fugitives in a thrilling story of intrigue and deception.

     

    The novel Los pacientes del doctor García (Tusquets Editores), for which Almudena Grandes won the Premio Nacional de Narrativa 2018, is the fourth instalment in her series Episodios de una guerra interminable, and the first of her books to be adapted for television.

     

    Javier Rey stars as Dr. Guillermo García; Tamar Novas will play Manuel Arroyo, his best friend; Verónica Echegui will be Amparo Priego. Alongside them is a wide cast that includes Jon Olivares (Adrián Gallardo), Eva Llorach (Clara Stauffer), Stephanie Cayo (Meg Williams), Claudia Traisac (Rita Velázquez), Raúl Jiménez (Pepe Moya), Nancho Novo (Fortunato Quintanilla), Pepa Pedroche (Experta Fernández), Luis Bermejo (Juan Negrín), Mario de la Rosa (Alfonso Navarro), Daniel Albaladejo (Antonio Ochoa), Martina Gusmán (Simona Gaitán), Itziar Atienza (Geni León), Toni Sevilla (Gabino de la Fuente), Iñaki Miramón (Basilio Rodríguez), Javier Lara (Jesús Romero), Marius Biegai (Otto Skorzeny), Carmen Molinar (Ingrid Weiss), and Eduard Farelo (Pablo De Azcárate).

  4. Richard Dillane, Leanne Best & Adam Pålsson Starring in New Netflix Original Young Wallander

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    The filming of Young Wallander has just begun – the new Netflix original series based on Henning Mankell’s best-selling Kurt Wallander novels. The cast includes Adam Pålsson (Kurt Wallander), Richard Dillane (Superintendent Hemberg), Leanne Best (Frida Rask), Ellise Chappell (Mona) and Yasen Atour (Reza). The series is created by Yellow Bird UK, a Banijay Group company, and the producer of the Swedish Wallander franchise at TV4 as well as the successful BBC series Wallander from 2008.

    I couldn’t be more honoured and thrilled to have the opportunity to play the young Kurt Wallander, and to explore the defining events in the life of this complex, driven protagonist, created by the brilliant Henning Mankell. With a terrific cast and creative team, I have every confidence that our new version will resonate both in Sweden and with audiences worldwide,” says Adam Pålsson.

    Berna Levin, Creative Director, Yellowbird UK says: “In revisiting the beloved character of Kurt Wallander, we searched for an actor of great calibre and integrity. Someone who could carry the mantle previously worn by some of the most legendary actors of our time, honouring their brilliant past performances while also bringing in his own unique and contemporary take on this iconic role. Adam’s impressive body of work and uncompromising dedication to the role made him the obvious choice. Standing with an amazing cast, we have no doubt that together, they will take Wallander to new heights and enthral audiences all over again.”

    The English-language drama series is told over six serialized episodes and is set in contemporary Sweden. Young Wallander sees Henning Mankell’s iconic detective Kurt Wallander investigate his gripping first case. The story focuses on the formative experiences – professional and personal – faced by Kurt as a recently graduated police officer in his early twenties.

    Young Wallander is directed by Ole Endresen and Jens Jonsson and produced by Berna Levin. Screenwriter is Ben Harris. Casting is made by Sophie Holland CSA (The Witcher) and the cast also includes Charles Mnene, Jacob Collins-Levy, Alan Emrys and Kiza Deen.

    Young Wallander will launch exclusively on Netflix in 2020.

    Main cast

    Adam Pålsson (Kurt Wallander)
    Adam Pålsson achieved widespread recognition and acclaim in the SVT drama Don’t Ever Wipe Tears Without Gloves. He played the leading role in the TV series Moscow Noir , and has appeared in such shows as The Bridge , Code 1525 and Before We Die. He also portrayed the title character in the feature Ted- For Love’s Sake about the legendary Swedish pop star Ted Gärdestad.

    Richard Dillane (Superintendent Hemberg)
    Richard appeared in the Oscar-winning feature Argo and the multi-award-winning Oranges and Sunshine , as well as The Jacket , The Edge of Love and Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight . Among his numerous television credits are Wolf Hall , Poldark and Peaky Blinders . His stage work includes seasons at the RSC and National Theatre.

    Leanne Best (Frida Rask)
    Leanne’s TV credits include Line of Duty , Ripper Street and Black Mirror , as well as major roles in Tin Star , Home Fires and the BAFTA-winning Cold Feet . She portrayed the title character in the feature film Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death and appeared in Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool , alongside Annette Benning and Jamie Bell. Her stage credits include the Pulitzer Prize winning Sweat at the Donmar Warehouse.

    Ellise Chappell (Mona)
    Known for her leading role as Morwenna in BBC’s BAFTA winning Poldark , Ellise also starred in Sky’s The Last Dragonslayer and the Danny Boyle/Richard Curtis feature film Yesterday.

    Yasen Atour (Reza)
    Yasen will have a leading role in the upcoming feature film Small City. He has also appeared in the recent features Ben Hur and Robin Hood . He has also had television roles in ITV’s Dark Heart and Marcella , as well as Peter Kominsky’s critically acclaimed miniseries The State.

    Charles Mnene (Bash)
    Charles’s TV credits include The Widow , The State , Misfits and Silent Witness . He has also appeared in the feature films The Informer and NW . He will play the leading role in the upcoming feature Riding With Sugar by award-winning director Sunu Gonera.

    Jacob Collins-Levy (Karl-Axel Munck)
    Known for his leading role as King Henry VII in the Starz miniseries The White Princess , Jacob has also appeared in episodes of Pure and Doctor Who . He will appear in the upcoming feature adaptation of the Booker Prize winning True History of the Kelly Gang , directed by Justin Kurzel.

    Alan Emrys (Gustav Munck)
    Alan is a recent graduate of Drama Centre London. Since graduating Alan has appeared in Johnny English 3 and 4Stories .

    Kiza Deen (Mariam)
    Kiza’s TV credits include Hollyoaks and Silent Witness. On stage, she earned rave reviews for her solo performance in debbie tucker green’s random at the Leeds Playhouse.