Weekly Insider Roundup: Hot Topics from Europe and Beyond
Hello, Insiders! Another week has come to a close, and it’s been a sizzling one across Europe. Our dedicated journalists reported live from France and Spain, covering the most compelling stories from the continent. Meanwhile, in the UK, the zombie apocalypse returned, angrier and more intense than ever. Don’t miss out—sign up for our newsletter here!
28 Years Later: The Highly Anticipated Threequel is Here!
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
It feels like just yesterday that I watched Cillian Murphy roam the desolate streets of London in “28 Days Later.” Hard to believe that was 23 years ago! The enduring love for Danny Boyle’s iconic zombie horror series has kept fans buzzing, especially with the premiere of the third installment, “28 Years Later.” This marks the first sequel since 2007’s “28 Weeks Later.”
The trailer for “28 Years Later” has already made waves, becoming the second-most viewed horror trailer ever before its world premiere in London’s Leicester Square. Our social media expert, Nada, and our very own Breaking Baz were on the red carpet to catch insights from Boyle, Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, and Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Tom Rothman, who hinted that 14-year-old star Alfie Williams is set to shine.
Set nearly three decades after the outbreak of the rage virus, the film serves as a “particularly scathing” commentary on “Brexit Britain,” according to our critic Damon Wise. Early reviews have been positive, with a current Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%. For an in-depth discussion, tune into our Crew Call podcast where Anthony D’Alessandro interviews Boyle about the film’s long journey and the future of the trilogy.
Netflix’s Game-Changing Partnership with TF1
In exciting news from Cannes Lions, Netflix and French commercial network TF1 have announced a groundbreaking partnership. Spearheaded by the friendship between TF1 CEO Rodolphe Belmer and Netflix executives, this collaboration will bring five linear TF1 channels and 30,000 hours of on-demand content to Netflix’s platform.
Historically, Netflix has shown little interest in partnering with rival platforms, making this collaboration significant. Analysts believe this move could pave the way for similar alliances as global streamers aim to attract older audiences, while traditional networks seek to engage younger viewers. The term “diagonal integration and co-operation” has been coined to describe this trend—stay tuned for more developments!
Celebrating 100 Years of NHK: A Look Back and Forward
This year marks the centenary of Japan’s NHK, and there’s no better time to reflect on the vital role of public broadcasting. We had the privilege of speaking with NHK President Nobuo Inaba, who shared insights on the evolving challenges faced by public broadcasters. While the Great Kantō earthquake in the 1920s spurred the creation of public broadcasting, today’s battle lies in combating misinformation from social media.
Inaba emphasized the need for global collaboration and more youth-focused programming. As part of its centennial celebrations, NHK has aired special programs, including a documentary titled Neo-Japonism and an anime adaptation called Cocoon. When pressed about his favorite NHK show, Inaba surprised us by choosing a natural history series that captured the first-ever video images of a giant squid.
Big Week for the BBC
In BBC news, the race to find a successor for Charlotte Moore has concluded with Kate Phillips taking the helm as the new Chief Creative Officer. Her appointment signals a fresh era for the UK’s largest public broadcaster, and she has big plans for the future.
However, challenges loom at BBC News, where a PwC consultant has been brought in to address allegations of bullying and misconduct within the flagship show, Breakfast. As one issue is resolved, another arises.
CineEurope Highlights and Conecta Fiction & Entertainment
This week at CineEurope in Barcelona, U.S. studios showcased their upcoming film slates. Highlights included Lionsgate announcing new projects, Sony presenting the first 28 minutes of “28 Years Later,” and Universal teasing new Spielberg and Nolan films. Meanwhile, over in Cuenca, Spain, the Conecta Fiction & Entertainment festival brought together industry representatives, discussing pressing issues amidst unpredictable weather.
Industry Essentials
- 🌶️ New Comedy Alert: The BBC has greenlit "Twenty Twenty Six," a follow-up to the beloved series W1A and Twenty Twelve, featuring Hugh Bonneville.
- 🌶️ New Cast: Martin Compston and Aimée-Ffion Edwards will lead the cast of "The Revenge Club" for Paramount+.
- ☘️ Anime Adaptation: Japan’s Line Digital Frontier is transforming the webtoon "Teenage Mercenary" into a TV anime series.
- ⛑️ Post-Production Update: Ireland’s Playhouse Studios has acquired the assets of UK post house Lipsync, retaining most of its staff.
- 🔭 Festivals on the Rise: The annual Filming Italy Sardegna festival kicked off yesterday, spotlighting the latest in Italian TV.
- 👨🏻⚕️ Doctor Who Future: Russell T Davies has stirred speculation about the future of the BBC and Disney+ series, hinting that plans are still in flux.
- 5️⃣0️⃣ Global Expansion: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is taking his 50 Cent Action Channel international for the first time.
- 🦁 Gen Z Initiative: Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine has launched a new label, Sunnie, aimed at Gen Z audiences.
- 🤝 Leadership Changes: Lookout Point co-CEOs Laura Lankester and Will Johnston have joined A24’s UK team.
- 🏆 Awards Recognition: Swedish drama "Vanguard," Germany’s "One Day in September," and CW’s "Good Cop/Bad Cop" won Golden Nymphs at the Monte-Carlo TV Festival.
This week’s Insider was crafted by Jesse Whittock and edited by Jake Kanter. Stay tuned for more updates!
