UK's Fremantle announced some of the main titles that will be part of the event Fremantle Presents as part of London Screening Week starting on February 26th. The 2024 edition of their experience will be hosted across two venues: the Odeon Leicester Square and the Odeon Luxe West End on Friday, March 1st. It will feature exclusive previews, behind-the-scenes interviews, and exclusive insights, among other activities.
Jens Richter, CEO of Commercial and International, Fremantle, referred to the importance of the London TV Screenings: "The 2024 London Screenings is set to be an extremely busy and exciting week, and we are proud to be presenting this incredible lineup of shows to buyers. In a competitive and changing global market, you have to stand out. Not only is this slate of shows incredibly rich and compelling, but it proves once again that Fremantle is the home of great talent, great production values, and great partnerships," he noted.
Andrew Llinares, Director of Global Entertainment, Fremantle, expressed enthusiasm for the lineup that the company is presenting this year: "With buzzy, noisy new shows as well as new adaptations of existing IP and hit returning series, this lineup is truly broad and adaptable for the current landscape. With Fremantle's best-in-class production skills and unscripted know-how, we have shows that can work for all platforms and budgets," he said.
The drama highlights include "Nightsleeper", from Fremantle label Euston Films ("Wreck", "The Sister"), a real-time thriller for BBC One which combines classic mystery, high-velocity action series. "Costiera," from Fremantle label Lux Vide ("Blanca," "Doc"), will transport viewers to Amalfi Coast for an action series. Attendees will also be treated to in-production looks returning series including series two of "The Responder" starring Martin Freeman (from Dancing Ledge Productions, a Fremantle label); "Wreck" (from Euston Films, a Fremantle label); "Sullivan's Crossing" (from Reel World Management, CTV and Fremantle) and the final series of "My Brilliant Friend" (from Fremantle labels The Apartment Pictures, Wildside, and Fandango).
In terms of documentaries, it will include the recently announced "Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar" from Passion Pictures", commissioned by BBC Arts for BBC Two executive produced by Kim Kardashian, which Fremantle will be distributing internationally. This three-part series will reveal the life and times of a superstar who transformed not just Hollywood but fame itself. Fremantle will also show "A Brief History of the Future" - a docuseries from Drake's DreamCrew, Kathryn Murdoch and Ari Wallach's newly-launched Futurific Studios and philanthropist Wendy Schmidt about futures and how we create them. The series follows futurist Wallach on journeys around the world as he engages with brilliant minds, courageous pioneers, and problem solvers tackling humanity's greatest challenges.
On the other hand, the entertainment premieres include "Hot Mess Summer," a new reality format from Fremantle label Naked, currently available on Prime Video in the UK and Ireland. The series, hosted by Rylan Clark, sees a group of eight hard-partying, lovable liabilities jet off to Zante but put to work for a summer running Zante's busiest pool bar. "Sense of Attraction" is a new dating format from Fremantle label Strong Productions, where singletons try to find true love using only two senses: sight and sound. Returning shows include the iconic word association game "Password," which had ten international versions in 2023 and returns for a second season in the US in March (hosted by Jimmy Fallon and Keke Palmer), and the reality TV format "The Piano" launching in the Netherlands and Denmark in 2024.