MGM International signs multi-year developing deal with MBC Group

MGM International Television Productions and MBC Group in the Middle East have agreed on a multi-year deal to develop and coproduce original international series. The new agreement will expand existing ties between the companies after MBC Group served as regional partner for upcoming MGM series "Last Light" and "Billy the Kid." “We have 30 years of experience telling stories that touch the lives of hundreds of millions of people across the Middle East and North Africa. Now with a great and global partner like MGM, we’re extending our reach beyond this region,” MBC Group CEO Sam Barnett said.

Projects produced under the pact will air exclusively on MBC Group-owned streamer Shahid VIP throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa, with MGM handling coproduction and distribution for the rest of the world. “With MGM International TV Productions’ content and talent partnerships in France, Australia, the Nordics, Latin America and now the Middle East and Northern Africa via MBC Group, MGM Television is perfectly positioned to continue building our international expansion of signature premium content together with Rola [Bauer] and the incredible team we have assembled,” said MGM Worldwide Television chairman, Mark Burnett.

Dystopian miniseries "Last Light" completed production in Abu Dhabi last month after filming in Prague and Paris. The project stars Matthew Fox and Joanne Froggatt and follows a family whose lives are upended when oil supplies are contaminated by an infectious agent, causing society to implode. Dennie Gordon was director and executive producer, while Patrick Massett and John Zinman were co-showrunners and executive producers. Epic romantic drama series Billy the Kid comes from Vikings creator Michael Hirst and stars British actor Tom Blyth as the famous American outlaw. The eight-part series is set to premiere in the US on 24 April. Barnett noted that the deal is "MBC’s first large-scale coproduction deal with a major studio and “marks our entrance to the global scene," Barnett said.

In addition to Billy the Kid and Last Light, MGM International Television Productions has recently finished filming its initial slate of seven projects. Since launching in 2020, the company has also filmed ""El Fin del Amor" for Amazon Studios, "From" for EPIX, Harlan Coben’s Shelter by Amazon Studios, "Mariachis" for HBO Max and "The Reunion." The company also recently inked a coproduction partnership with NENT Group to develop original series, in addition to an exclusive first-look deal with international actor, producer and director Simon Baker. Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, MBC Group Chairman. She believes the deal is a “major step forward in diversifying the group and building on its current strengths,” while MGM International TV Productions president Rola Bauer added that it will “connect storytellers from east and west,” Baker said.