International Disruptors: Jane Tranter, Co-Founder Of ‘His Dark Materials’ Producer Bad Wolf Talks Shooting In Wales & Future Ambitions Under Sony Pictures Television Deal

Happy Friday readers. Tom Grater here looking back on the week’s top international headlines.

Welcome to Deadline’s International Disruptors, a feature where we shine a spotlight on key executives and companies outside of the U.S. shaking up the offshore marketplace. This week, we’re speaking to Romain Bessi, CEO of French group Newen Studios. The company, which is producing Liaison, the first English and French language original for Apple TV+, is ramping up its global ambitions and Bessi takes us through the overall strategy. 

Manori Ravindran International EditorNetflix may not have been at the MipTV market in Cannes in any substantial way this year, but the service was certainly front and center in a keynote by HBO Max International boss Johannes Larcher.In a bold presentation, Larcher pointed to his competitor’s international might as a motivating factor for HBO Max’s own growth outside the U.S. In a number of slides dedicated solely to Netflix, the former Hulu exec highlighted the projected growth in Netflix’s international subscribers from 2021 to 2026 (147 subscribers in 2021 to an estimated 266 subscribers by 2026).“Netflix is clearly reaching saturation in the domestic market.

Sony Pictures Television International Production President Wayne Garvie has revealed his desire for the outfit to be the biggest drama studio in Britain and push into Europe, as he spoke publicly alongside Bad Wolf CEO Jane Tranter for the first time.

K.J. Yossman Sony Pictures Television International chief Wayne Garvie has set his sights on European production, he revealed during a keynote discussion at MipTV on Monday afternoon.Garvie was speaking alongside Bad Wolf co-founder Jane Tranter in a panel discussion moderated by Variety international editor Manori Ravindran.

EXCLUSIVE: Billie Piper, star of series such as Doctor Who and Penny Dreadful, has landed her next TV gig.

Manori Ravindran International EditorJane Tranter’s Bad Wolf has set up its first major drama since joining Sony Pictures Television, Variety can reveal.The company is adapting the first book in Bernard Cornwell’s “Warlord Chronicles” trilogy, “The Winter King,” into a 10-part series. The show — which is expected to be a returner that will go on to cover the other books in the series — will shoot in Wales and the West Country in 2022.“The Winter King” is being positioned as a revisionist take on the Arthurian legends, which were first published in the mid-1990s.

Although we are apparently never going to stop talking about this year’s Oscar season, others are already putting plans in place for next year’s Oscar season.

Manori Ravindran International Editor“The Killing Fields” and “The Mission” director Roland Joffé is in talks to helm an epic drama spanning the two World Wars in a project set up with international film and media fund APX Capital Group.“L’Inverno” is the first pic to emerge from APX’s new Music World Films & TV venture — a new division headed by Mathew Knowles (Beyoncé’s father), who sold his Music World Entertainment Group to APX last month. As part of the deal, the film and TV division of Knowles’ company has been merged with the studio.APX will complete the financing on “L’Inverno,” with the $12-million budgeted movie starting principal photography in Rome, Italy, this fall.

Express. co. uk, actress Seymour has said she would "absolutely" return to the British franchise as Solitaire.

Tommy Lee has reflected on talking to Taylor Hawkins shortly before the drummer’s death last week.The Foo Fighters drummer died on Friday night (March 25) at the age of 50. The band announced the news in a statement on social media; no cause of death was given.“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of Taylor Hawkins,” the statement read.

Elton John dedicated a performance of his 1974 song ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’ to Taylor Hawkins last night (March 26) at a show in Iowa – watch below.The Foo Fighters drummer died on Friday night (March 25) at the age of 50. The band announced the news in a statement on social media; no cause of death was given.“The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of Taylor Hawkins,” the statement read.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentWrapping March 26, the 25th Malaga Festival and its Spanish Screenings delivered another confirmation of Spain’s build as a fiction force in a new platform era. Following, nine final takes on what may prove a historic edition. A Vibrant Spanish ScreeningsMálaga’s plus-size 2022 Spanish Screenings fairly rocked. Extra funding from Spain’s AVS Hub Plan, covering far more buyers’ flights, meant attendance skyrocketed.

Dressed to impress! Stars brought out all the stops for Vanity Fair’s Future of Hollywood Party on Thursday, March 24. From gorgeous glam to even better fashion, the red carpet had no shortage of jaw-dropping looks. 

Paramount International boss Raffaele Annecchino has talked up the streamer for “launching quicker than others” in key European markets, as he unveiled a tied-up with global Lupin and Narcos production house Gaumont and set titles from France, Argentina and Germany.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefBruce Tuchmann-backed Rialto International has launched a branded on-demand streaming service in Japan, focused on independent film, and housed on Amazon’s Prime Video Channels platform.Rialto Channel launched in 1999 in New Zealand, where it was initially branded as The Sundance Channel. It established itself as an award-winning and industry-leading indie film destination for over twenty years.In Japan, the Rialto-branded venue will feature current and iconic independent films.

EXCLUSIVE: AllBlk’s upcoming dark comedy Send Help, from co-creators Jean Elie and Mike Gauyo, has added Karina Bonnefil (Snowfall), Catfish Jean (To Leslie), Courtney Taylor (Insecure) and newcomer Ana Bowen to the cast.