Banijay Rights takes “Marie Antoinette” to new territories

Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of content powerhouse Banijay, announced further landmark sales of historical drama “Marie Antoinette.” Produced by Banijay Studios France, CAPA Drama and Les Gens, this Canal+ Creation Originale eight-part series has been acquired by Antenna Plus (Ant1+) in Greece, Ceska Televize in the Czech Republic, Directv in Latin America, and Canada’s national public broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada for CBC Gem (English), and ICI Télé / ICI Tou.tv (French).

Meanwhile, RTÉ in Ireland, Sky Italia, Radio & Television Slovakia – RTVS, Viaplay across all Nordic and Baltic countries, and the Netherlands, have all acquired the drama. These agreements follow previous sales of “Marie Antoinette” to BBC First in Australia, PBS Distribution in the United States, and BBC Two and iPlayer in the UK, which reported consolidated viewing figures of 2.1 million for its premiere last month.

“Boasting tour-de-force performances, beautiful scenery and powerful writing from Deborah Davis, ‘Marie Antoinette’ is an extraordinary drama that continues to appeal to broadcasters and streaming services worldwide. We are extremely pleased that so many new buyers have acquired this series, which gives one of the most comprehensive accounts of this unique woman to date,”  said Claire Jago, EVP Sales and Acquisitions, EMEA at Banijay Rights.

“Marie Antoinette” tells the story of the incredibly modern and avant-garde young queen, played by Emilia Schüle, with Louis Cunningham as the Dauphin of France, Louis XVI. Marie Antoinette was a young teenager when she left Austria to marry the Dauphin of France. Growing from a stubborn young princess navigating the rules of the French court under pressure to continue the Bourbon line, to a true fashion icon, she impressed with her natural charisma, and recreated life in Versailles in her image: free, independent and feminist ahead of time.