‘Poirot’ Actor David Suchet To Retrace Agatha Christie’s Steps In Doc Series From Soho Studios, Two Rivers Media & Abacus Media Rights; Channel 4 & BritBox On Board

International documentary filmmakers and industry reps are gathering at Sheffield DocFest in the U.K. at a moment of political tumult in Europe. British voters head to the polls for a general election on July 4; in France, President Macron dissolved the National Assembly and called snap legislative elections after a French ultranationalist party surged in voting for the European Parliament. Germany’s far-right AfD party also scored substantial gains in that European Parliament vote. Overall, the center held — more or less.

Cadbury is set to delight chocolate lovers by bringing back the beloved Cadbury Top Deck for a limited time.

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 talking to leading German producer Fabian Gasmia, whose credits include Olivier Assayas’ Personal Shopper, Leos Carax’s Annette and, more recently, Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry starrer Treasure, which has its North American premiere at Tribeca last weekend. Gasmia, who set up production banner Seven Elephants in 2018 with directors Julia von Heinz, Erik Schmitt and David Wnendt, talks us through building that outfit, his “special relationship” with France and why he thinks German cinema is having a “renaissance.”

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Iginio Straffi, creator of the six teenage fairies in the hit “Winx Club” TV franchise, is launching a new animated series titled “Mermaid Magic” that will drop globally on Netflix on Aug. 22.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large As The CW has changed its financial model under new owners Nexstar, entertainment president Brad Schwartz has relied more on international co-productions from countries like Canada. Speaking on Tuesday at the Banff World Media Festival, Schwartz — who hails from Canada — acknowledged that in the past, Canadian acquisitions on U.S. networks have often been seen in a lesser light.

EXCLUSIVE: The UK-based VFX and animation company Jellyfish Pictures has launched a new VFX production outpost in Toronto. 

Anna Marie de la Fuente Eurozoom, a leading French distributor for Japanese animation, has forged a strategic partnership with major French animation producer Special Touch Studios, led by founder and CEO Sebastien Onomo. “We both share the same passion for animation and want to tell bold stories with a particular attention to professional diversity,” said Eurozoom’s CEO-Founder Amel Lacombe, who added that they were jointly working on a six-animation feature lineup. Leading the pack is “Melvile,” directed by Romain Renard and Fursy Teyssier.

Prime Video Italy is taking a leap “not only at national level but at international level” with its originals strategy, its scripted boss has said.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith composer David Fleming joined Deadline’s Sound & Screen Television live-music event to discuss the nuances of creating the perfect spy score built on the foundation of trust. 

Ed Meza @edmezavar Madrid-based Begin Again Films has nabbed Santiago Maza’s Mexican documentary “State of Silence,” produced by Diego Luna and La Corriente del Golfo, the shingle he runs with Gael García Bernal. The sales agency and distributor, which acquired international rights with the exception of North America and Latin America, has also unveiled the film’s first trailer.

Prince William 'stepped up' for King Charles at a poignant D-Day event on Thursday, after it was deemed "a step too far" for the King to attend amid his ongoing cancer treatment.

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Prince William is set to step in for King Charles at a poignant D-Day event later today, after it was deemed "a step too far" for the monarch to attend amidst his ongoing cancer treatment.

EXCLUSIVE: Heyday Television has acquired adaptation rights to Gillian McAllister’s novel Just Another Missing Person.

Take a first peek at Sandokan, a new international adaptation of Emilio Salgari’s historic saga about the adventures of a titular pirate who, with his motley crew, fights against colonial powers in Southeast Asia. Scroll down for more.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent It’s not just Netflix which is cashing in on the K phenomenon. Federation Kids & Family has clinched a brace of first-wave deals with major international broadcasters on “Gangnam Project,” its new K-pop-inspired tween live-action series.

William Russell, one of the earliest companions in BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who, has died aged 99. He passed away on June 3.

The BBC and BritBox International have secured A-list talent for their latest Agatha Christie adaptation.

Rishi Sunak has been slammed after his brattish behaviour threatened to derail the first general election head to head with Keir Starmer.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief The imminently upcoming Sydney Film Festival has added eight titles that premiered at Cannes to its lineup. They are: Guan Hu’s “Black Dog”; Mohammad Rasoulof’s “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”; Francis Ford Coppola’s passion project “Megalopolis”; Guy Maddin, Evan and Galen Johnson’s “Rumours,” starring Australia’s Cate Blanchett; documentary “Ernest Cole: Lost and Found,” Jia Zhangke’s “Caught by the Tides”; “The Girl with the Needle”; and revenge thriller “Ghost Trail.” Due to demand, the SFF organizers have also added additional screenings of “The Substance,” the Demi Moore-starring film already set as the festival’s closing night title. The festival runs June 5-16.