Exciting Premiere: "This Is Not a Murder Mystery" Debuts at Mipcom as Part of New8 Alliance
After two years of collaboration, New8 is set to unveil its first show, "This Is Not a Murder Mystery," at Mipcom. This innovative partnership involves eight public broadcasters from across Europe, including Germany’s ZDF, the Netherlands’ NPO, Belgium’s VRT, Sweden’s SVT, Denmark’s DR, Finland’s YLE, Iceland’s RÚV, and Norway’s NRK. This co-production model enhances the visibility and impact of European content, providing all New8 partners with access to the engaging series.
Kicking off the showcase is Belgium’s VRT, which presents its inaugural English-language series, "This Is Not a Murder Mystery." Commissioned by VRT and produced by Panenka in collaboration with Deadpan Pictures, the show is distributed by the renowned film and series studio Studiocanal, which holds global distribution rights outside of the New8 member countries.
Directed by the talented Belgian filmmaker Hans Herbots, known for his work on "The Serpent," this six-episode series transports viewers to 1936, where a young René Magritte (played by Pierre Gervais) finds himself entangled in a murder mystery after waking next to a deceased woman in an extravagant English estate. As the art world buzzes with the rise of surrealism, Magritte is joined by a stellar cast of iconic figures including Salvador Dalí (Iñaki Mur), Lee Miller (Florence Hall), Man Ray (Frank Bourke), and Max Ernst (Mike Hoffmann).
In an interview with Variety ahead of Mipcom, producer Kristoffel Mertens from Panenka expressed his enthusiasm for the New8 collaboration. He emphasized the advantage of streamlined communication through a single point of contact at VRT, which greatly facilitated the creative process. Mertens also highlighted the importance of securing funding from Creative Europe and Eurimages, emphasizing that the link to New8 provided an ideal opportunity for cross-border collaboration. He noted, "Each broadcaster can incorporate local elements, ensuring the series resonates with diverse audiences."
While "This Is Not a Murder Mystery" features a diverse and international cast, Mertens clarified that the project was not a direct response to New8’s initiative but rather stemmed from a compelling true story. Once funding was secured from European organizations and Belgium’s Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF), Studiocanal joined the project, bolstered by the involvement of Herbots, whose established international reputation was instrumental in the partnership. Mertens remarked, "We needed someone with a high level of experience, and Herbots was the perfect fit."
Chloe Marquet, head of international sales for Studiocanal, praised the series for its "bold and unique tone," stating that "This Is Not a Murder Mystery" offers stunning visuals and genuine entertainment, making it a promising contender for global audiences. With the whodunit genre continuing to captivate viewers, the series is poised for success.
Herbots shared his excitement about the project, revealing that the "fantastic" pitch immediately captured his interest. He joined the team three years ago, collaborating closely with the creative team to refine the vision and script. He explained, "The show explores famous artists before they achieved stardom, portraying their insecurities and the process of creating their public personas. This approach allowed us to cast newcomers, avoiding established actors who might overshadow the narrative."
Focusing on ensemble casting, Herbots emphasized the importance of finding personalities that complement each other while creating engaging conflicts, resulting in a diverse and talented cast from various countries.
"This Is Not a Murder Mystery," based on an original concept by Christophe Dirickx and Matthias Lebeer, is set to premiere this fall on VRT and RTL Belgium, with additional territories to follow in winter.
Stay tuned for this intriguing blend of art, mystery, and history that showcases the rich tapestry of European storytelling!
