Banijay’s ‘Race To Space’ Taking Off In Thailand
Last year, we reported on Banijay’s Asia to send an Indian citizen into space, and now the production house is planning for the same in Thailand. The Banijay Entertainment-owned company has teamed with Thailand’s TrueVisions Now for Race to Space Thailand. CreAsia Studio, which Banijay Asia CEO Deepak Dhar leads, is producing. This will mark the first time a Thai citizen has gone into space. SERA (Space Exploration & Research Agency), which devised the format with Banijay Asia, will be attached. “This historic collaboration with CreAsia is not only a gateway to global-scale content, but also the beginning of a new frontier for Thailand,” said Ongard Prapakamol, Head of TrueVisions and Media for True Corporation. “For the very first time, Thai people from all walks of life – regardless of profession or gender – will have the chance to compete for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Dhar said “Thailand is just the beginning” for the format, which will “soon resonate in India as well as other parts of South East Asia, as we take the concept forward with team SERA.”
BBC Opens Door To French Drama ‘The Intruder‘
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The BBC has acquired UK rights to The Intruder, a French drama series starring Mélanie Doutey (Post Partum, Le Bal des Actrices), Lucie Fagedet (Mr & Mme Adelman, The Sense of Wonder) and Éric Caravaca (Plot 35, C’est Quoi la Vie?). The four-part series, which ITV Studios sells globally, follows what happens when a mother of three lets a stranger into her home as an au pair to her three children. Nathalie Abdelnour created the series and co- wrote it with Nathalie Saugeon. Shirley Monsarrat is the director. Marie Madec is the exec producer and Lèa Gabrié is the producer for Tetra Media Fiction, whose parent TM Studios is part of ITV Studios. Series was co-produced with France Télévisions, whose network France 2 first played the show. “The Intruder is a stylish psychological thriller which gradually builds to a nail-biting race against time, ensuring that viewers will be addicted to the very end,” said BBC Head of Program Acquisitions Sue Deeks, who is soon to pivot to a new role as Head of Pre-Buy Acquisitions. BBC Studios’ Nick Lee will become Head of Acquisitions for the networks and BBC iPlayer.
‘Two Much With Kajol And Twinkle’ Gets Trailer
Here’s a trailer for Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle, the upcoming Prime Video India talk show. The show, from Banijay Asia, will launch in India and around the world on the Amazon streamer on September 25. The series will be a mix of “inside jokes, cherished memories, career-defining milestones” and “a dash of spicy linkups and rumors,” fronted by Indian actress Kajol and author Twinkle Khanna. Guests will include the likes of Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Alia Bhatt, Varun Shawan, Karan Johar, Kriti Sanon, Vicky Kaushal, Govinda and Janhvi Kappor. “Twinkle and I go way back, and whenever we’re talking, it’s delightful chaos,” said Kajol. For me and Kajol, it feels like catching up with friends, but for audiences, it’s a chance to see their favorite stars in a way that feels refreshingly real and unexpectedly fun,” added Khanna.