Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Weekend 22-23 March 2025
Bluey’s global boom, Severance returns, Bourne reboot in play, Netflix’s dominance wanes, Adolescence tackles knife crime, Generations explores trauma, Sweeney leads viral thriller.
Today’s Highlights:
Bluey Becomes a $2 Billion Global Cultural Phenomenon – Australia’s Bluey has grown into a global sensation with merchandise, books, and live shows, praised for its heartfelt parenting themes.
Severance Renewed for Season 3 at Apple TV+ – Apple TV+ has renewed Severance for a third season, with the psychological workplace thriller set to return in 2025.
Jason Bourne Franchise Back on the Market – The Ludlum estate is shopping the Jason Bourne franchise to studios, including Netflix and Apple, for a potential reboot.
Jane Featherstone on the Future Beyond Netflix – Sister’s Jane Featherstone predicts less Netflix dominance as broadcasters and streamers collaborate more on globally-driven scripted series.
Adolescence Tackles Knife Crime and Masculinity – Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham’s Netflix drama Adolescence confronts youth violence and masculinity through the story of a teen accused of murder.
Generations Unravels Family Secrets Through Mystery and Epigenetics – DR’s Generations explores generational trauma, epigenetics, and female shame after a mummified infant is discovered during the COVID-19 era.
Wolf Hall Trilogy Completes Despite Major Setbacks – Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light completes the BBC trilogy with Mark Rylance, despite production delays and the death of author Hilary Mantel.
Sydney Sweeney Leads Reddit-Inspired Thriller – Sydney Sweeney will star in and produce I Pretended to Be a Missing Girl, a Warner Bros. adaptation of a viral Reddit story written by Eric Roth.
This City is Ours Marks Sean Bean’s Return to Crime Drama – Sean Bean leads BBC’s This City is Ours, a gritty crime series about a Liverpool family under pressure from shifting criminal forces.
Flying Lotus’ Ash Brings Psychedelic Horror to Space – Ash, directed by Flying Lotus, is a space thriller starring Eiza González that explores memory loss and survival with surreal intensity.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with Netflix, BBC, Sony & Disney in Sydney, London & LA.
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INSIGHTS
Generations: Family Secrets and Unfolding Mysteries
Danish broadcaster DR’s latest drama, Generations, delves into family secrets sparked by a shocking discovery—the mummified remains of an infant. Creator Anna Emma Haudal explores themes of epigenetics, generational influence, and female shame, blending genres like mystery, drama, and horror. With a stellar ensemble cast, this six-part series invites viewers to unravel buried truths and connect across generations, all set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
Netflix’s Adolescence: Knife Crime, Masculinity, and Impactful Storytelling
Screenwriter Jack Thorne’s Adolescence delves into youth knife crime and masculinity through the story of a teen accused of murder. Co-written with actor Stephen Graham, the drama features single-take episodes directed by Philip Barantini. Inspired by Thorne’s anger and personal experiences, the series reflects on societal issues while blending deeply personal themes. Adolescence forms part of Thorne's larger body of work addressing political and social injustices with unflinching intensity. Read More
Noah Wyle on Working With Brad Pitt, ER Regrets, and Coming Back to TV
Noah Wyle discusses reuniting with Brad Pitt in Apple TV+’s Palm Royale, his memories from ER, and past regrets about leaving the show early. He reflects on learning from George Clooney, his decision to prioritise family over career, and taking a new perspective as a TV director. Read More
Snow White's Journey: From Challenges to Premiere
After nearly a decade of hurdles, Disney’s live-action Snow White premiered at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre on March 15. Stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot attended, overcoming prior controversies, alongside director Marc Webb. The event featured kid-friendly activities and D23-hosted interviews with Jodi Benson, known for voicing Ariel in The Little Mermaid. The premiere marked a celebratory milestone for this long-awaited remake, complete with a bunny hopping down the red carpet. Read More
Bluey's World: The $2 Billion Global Phenomenon
Australian series Bluey has captivated families worldwide, blending humour, relatability, and heartfelt storytelling. This Emmy-winning show, created by Joe Brumm, follows puppy siblings Bluey and Bingo alongside parents Bandit and Chilli, tackling real-life parenting challenges. Since its 2018 debut, Bluey has expanded into merchandise, live shows, books, and immersive experiences, earning comparisons to Taylor Swift’s cultural impact. Read More
Sean Bean to Star in BBC Liverpool Crime Series This City is Ours
Sean Bean will lead the BBC’s new crime drama This City is Ours, created by Stephen Butchard and set in Liverpool. The six-part series centres on a crime family navigating power struggles and law enforcement pressure in a shifting criminal landscape. Produced by Left Bank Pictures and directed by Saul Dibb, the series begins filming this year and will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and internationally via Sony. Read More
Six talking points from the UK exhibition sector’s annual conference
At the UK Cinema Association conference, topics included the need for more consistent marketing from distributors, the success of the Event Cinema Association, the focus on big releases over a packed slate, challenges with underperforming major titles, low audience engagement with marketing, and fears over the impact of extended windows and streaming. Industry leaders called for more collaboration, better marketing insights, and stronger support for theatrical exhibition. Read More
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light Nearly Didn’t Happen
The BBC series Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, adapted from Hilary Mantel’s final Cromwell novel, faced major production delays due to COVID-19, cast availability, and the loss of Mantel in 2022. Director Peter Kosminsky and writer Peter Straughan were determined to complete the trilogy, with Mark Rylance returning as Cromwell. Produced by Playground and Company Pictures, the final six-part series is a co-production with Masterpiece and will air in 2025. Read More
Flying Lotus Talks Psychedelic Space Thriller ‘Ash’
Flying Lotus’ Ash follows an amnesiac astronaut (Eiza González) who discovers her crew dead. Co-starring Aaron Paul, the film explores paranoia and survival. Inspired by Suspiria and developed collaboratively with writer Jonni Remmler, Ash offered Flying Lotus creative freedom. González's fierce performance, reflecting her career stage, perfectly captures the film's intensity. The director sees it as a space for experimentation and bold storytelling. Read More
Jane Featherstone: ‘Netflix can’t do everything’
Sister co-founder Jane Featherstone, speaking at the UK Screen Summit, stated Netflix’s dominance is waning as public broadcasters and global streamers increasingly collaborate on scripted content. Featherstone noted the success of BBC’s This Town, HBO’s Chernobyl, and ITVX’s Passenger, suggesting a new balance in the ecosystem. She emphasised the importance of trusting creative voices and encouraged the industry to focus on long-term partnerships over trend-chasing. Read More
Adapting to New Challenges in the Global Drama Industry
Navigating the drama industry today requires international collaboration, as funding scripted series often demands multiple partners. While global commissions from Netflix or Apple TV+ remain rare, most productions struggle to secure support without them. With the US market largely stagnant, UK-based Buccaneer Media focuses on building projects with local and specialized streamers like BritBox and Acorn TV. Producers face limited opportunities amid recalibration, prioritizing cost-effective series with strong intellectual property appeal. Read More
Lifestyle TV Embraces Branded Content to Share Risk and Boost Revenue
Lifestyle TV programs in Australia, such as Healthy Homes Australia and Open Homes Australia, are increasingly using branded content partnerships to offset production costs and ensure commissioning. Producers like Crocmedia and Abode Entertainment say the approach allows sponsors to share risks while giving networks like 10 and 9Life low-cost, advertiser-friendly programming. This trend allows independents to maintain production during market uncertainties. Read More
Elizabeth Olsen & Alicia Vikander Loved Being Uncomfortable in THE ASSESSMENT: It's "Almost Easier"
Elizabeth Olsen and Alicia Vikander discuss their experiences on Fleur Fortuné's debut feature film and working together for the first time.
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