Mia Wasikowska is taking a turn behind the lens as she co-directs “The Great White,” an unconventional legal dramedy set to air on ABC Australia. The actress-turned-director will collaborate with Nash Edgerton in overseeing this six-part storyline, featuring Hugo Weaving as its lead and produced by See-Saw Films, the company renowned for “Slow Horses.”
Before embarking on this venture, the Australian star polished her directing skills by contributing short films to the anthology projects “The Turning” and “Madly.” Currently, she holds the esteemed position of 2025 artist-in-residence at the Australian Film Television and Radio School.
Filming is slated for next year, with the series centering on Weaving’s character Alan Armstrong, a brilliant yet disgraced lawyer who finds himself defending a dog facing execution, ultimately leading him on a path of redemption and personal growth. The quirky dramedy is co-written by Ange Betzien (“Apple Cider Vinegar”) and Nick Coyle (“Sarah’s Channel,” “Bump”), while Mediawan Rights, in partnership with Entourage Ventures, will manage its international distribution.
In a notable move earlier this year, Mediawan acquired a 51% share in the British-Australian indie giant See-Saw Films, marking a significant step in the European group’s ambitious expansion into global markets. The burgeoning production and distribution powerhouse has also made headlines for recent high-profile actions, including securing a majority stake in Brad Pitt’s Plan B at the end of 2022. Following this, the Paris-based giant will shift its distribution division to London, headed by ex-All3Media International executive Sally Habbershaw.
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Today, Mediawan Rights showcased its latest acquisitions during a Mipcom presentation. This includes new dramas like “The Great White,” “Targets,” and “Belphegor;” the science-and-sports factual series “Open Brain;” the music documentary “The Blind Couple From Mali,” focusing on singers Amadou & Mariam; and the game show inspired by Alexandre Dumas, “The Heirs of Monte-Cristo.”
Produced by Mediawan’s subsidiary DEMD and helmed by director Ivan Fegyveres (“Blood Coast”), the six-part thriller “Target” revolves around a former bodyguard turned fugitive who must exonerate himself and rescue his estranged wife and children after being wrongfully accused of their kidnapping. Tomer Sisley, known for “Balthazar” and “Largo Winch,” stars opposite the up-and-coming performer from “Dancing With the Stars,” Fauve Hautot.
Shirine Boutella from “Lupin” leads in the upcoming four-part supernatural thriller “Belphegor,” produced by Pathé and directed by Jérémy Mainguy. The series tells the story of an art restorer at the Louvre who stumbles upon a cursed Mesopotamian mask linked to the storm god Baal Phegor, pulling her into a tangled web of secrets and disappearances. This project is a co-commission by HBO Max and M6.
Playing on the themes from Alexandre Dumas’ classic, “The Heirs of Monte-Cristo” extends a narrative previously explored by Mediawan subsidiaries Chapter 2, Palomar, and DEMD Productions on both film and television. This reality competition features 12 contestants thrust into the Count’s enigmatic castle, where they confront high-stakes physical challenges, shifting alliances, and moral dilemmas all in pursuit of his legendary treasure. What begins as a mere treasure hunt quickly turns into a tale of vengeance and betrayal, leading to one contestant’s claim on Monte Cristo’s fortune.
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