Following the announcement of their partnership two years prior, New8 is poised to debut its inaugural production as Studiocanal’s “This Is Not a Murder Mystery” makes its way to Mipcom.
The collaboration involves eight public broadcasters—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—forming a co-production and broadcast partnership. This effort enables the resulting series to reach all New8 members, thereby enhancing viewership and bolstering the significance of European productions.
VRT from Belgium leads the showcase with “This Is Not a Murder Mystery,” its first English-language series. Commissioned by the Belgian network, it is produced by Panenka in tandem with Deadpan Pictures and distributed globally by Studiocanal, which holds distribution rights in all regions except for those covered by the New8 consortium.
Directed by Belgian filmmaker Hans Herbots (“The Serpent”), the six-part series centers around a young René Magritte (played by Pierre Gervais), who finds himself attempting to clear his name after awakening next to a deceased woman in a lavish English estate. Set in 1936, amidst the burgeoning surrealism movement, he is accompanied by a star-studded cast of artists including Salvador Dalí (Iñaki Mur), Lee Miller (Florence Hall), Man Ray (Frank Bourke), and Max Ernst (Mike Hoffmann).
As Studiocanal prepares to promote the series at Mipcom, Panenka producer Kristoffel Mertens reflects positively on the collaboration with New8. He underscores the benefits of working with a single representative from VRT to streamline communication across the different broadcasters.
“Having that sole spokesperson and facilitating smooth communication was paramount on the creative front,” he notes. “Furthermore, securing funding through Creative Europe and Eurimages proved significant, as these organizations favor cross-border collaborations, making our connection with New8 a perfect match. It’s essential for each broadcaster to infuse their local essence into the project, and it’s not about crafting a show that appeals universally.”
Mertens insists that though “This Is Not a Murder Mystery” features an international cast, the series is not merely a product of the New8 partnership. “Our narrative is inspired by a true story and features an authentically international ensemble, making it a natural choice rather than a forced collaboration due to New8. It was a purely artistic decision,” he emphasizes.
Once Panenka attained funding from European sources and the Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF), Studiocanal became the final piece of the funding puzzle. Mertens highlights the significance of having an esteemed director like Herbots involved, especially as he was just embarking on the production of “Paris Has Fallen” with Canal+.
“They placed trust in his creative vision and proven expertise,” Mertens states, adding that it was a “fantastic fit” to pair an accomplished Belgian director with a strong international presence. “Our ambition was high, and we required a director of his caliber.”
Chloe Marquet, who leads international sales for films and TV series at Studiocanal, commends the series for its “bold and unique tone,” asserting that due to its “breathtaking visuals and genuine entertainment value,” “This Is Not a Murder Mystery” has excellent prospects for global appeal, especially as the whodunit genre continues to thrive.
On the creative side, Herbots cites the “fantastic” pitch as a compelling reason for his involvement three years ago, during which he contributed to concept development alongside the creative team. “The elongated financing timeline permitted us to refine our vision and the script collaboratively, which was crucial,” he elaborates.
“The intriguing aspect of this series is its portrayal of these celebrated artists prior to their rise to fame,” he continues. “We envision Dalí as the iconic figure with the moustache, yet he started as an insecure young man. The program invites us to witness these artistic legends while they’re still crafting their identities, allowing us the freedom to cast emerging talent rather than established stars.”
Addressing the casting process, the director expresses that they aimed to avoid “recognizable faces that might divert attention from the characters.” “The series truly embodies an ensemble spirit, and it was vital to find actors whose personalities could resonate and create conflict. We successfully assembled a fascinating group from various countries and take great pride in the series,” he concludes.
“This Is Not a Murder Mystery” draws from an original concept by Christophe Dirickx and Matthias Lebeer. The series is set to premiere this autumn in Belgium on VRT and RTL Belgium, with wider international distribution planned for the winter season.
