The Hollywood studios may be sitting out the Cannes Film Festival but a more than respectable cohort of major U.S. players will hit Canneseries, Cannes TV festival, a month earlier.
They are led by HBO with Richard Gadd’s highly anticipated “Half Man” which opens the French TV festival on April 23. “Half Man” screens in the evening day and date and a few hours after its release on HBO in the U.S. Other higher profile U.S. shows playing out of competition are world premieres: Apple TV+’s ““Star City,” produced by Sony Pictures Television, and “The Terror: Devil in Silver,” the third iteration of the Scott Free franchise, backed by AMC+ and Shudder.
Titles were revealed at a Canneseries presentation in Paris March 31 which confirmed that among U.S. stars expected to walk Canneseries’ pink carpet are “Severance” lead Adam Scott, a Canal+ Icon Award recipient, “Transparent” matriarch Judith Light who will leave her handprint on Cannes’ Walk of Fame and among U.S. creatives “Alien: Earth” showrunner Noah Hawley and “Mad Men” and “Homeland” director Leslie Linka Glatter.
In more U.S. involvement, Disney+ is backing “Alice and Steve,” from “Sex Education” director Sophie Goodhart. Another main competition player, the Sweden-set “Summer of 1985” from “The Bridge” creator Bjorn Stein, is produced by L.A.-based Media Res, behind “The Morning Show” and “Pachinko” and sold by Fifth Element. Both are world premieres.
It is symptomatic, however, of the way that global markets are trending that the biggest star at Canneseries may well be K-pop phenom Jisoo, an ex-Blackpink girl band member and Dior face and now Tommy Hilfiger global ambassador who starred in this month’s Netflix chart-topper “Boyfriend on Demand.” She will pick up a Madame Figaro Rising Star Award.
Running April 23-28, Canneseries will close with the buzzy “California Avenue,” ‘70s-set and described as a “fractured family drama”starring Bill Nighy and Helena Bonham Carter, and created by “The English” writer-director Hugo Blick.
A still growing Canneseries Industry also includes conversations with U.S.-U.K. “Unorthodox” showrunner Anna Winger and Ron Leshem, creator of the original “Euphoria,” “No Man’s Land” and “Bad Boy.” Gadd will be presented with a Konbini commitment prize at Canneseries’ opening ceremony. Spain’s Isabel Coixet (“The Secret Life of Words,” “Three Goodbyes”) chairs the main competition jury award.
Canneseries Artistic Director Albin Lewi described several series as “dark” or “very dark.” For him, there are few higher terms of praise.
“I was very afraid when we started selecting that we wouldn’t get as many series driven by strong creative voices. But I was wrong. I’m very pleased commissioners are betting on talented authors as well as IPs. There’s still room for inventiveness, for risk-taking. What we try to achieve is to have a diverse selection that reflects everything that takes place. Some are crowd pleasers, some are not,” Lewi told Variety.
He added: “Certainly, it’s harder to finance a project now. You need to be inventive in the way you finance a show, finding different partners, linking streamers and linear channels. But producers manage to find solutions and we want to represent this.”
Of potential crowdpleasers, Lewi cited Disney+’s U.K. show “Alice and Steve,” and from France TF1’s “Zodiac,” France Televisions’ Stendhal adaptation “The Red and the Black” and Disney+ comedy “Minimal Security,” fronted by big French star Jean-Pascal Zadi (“Simply Black”) in a series he dubs “’The Office’ in prison.”
Regarding trends, Lewi noted the rise of sports-adjacent programming, seen in this year’s doc titles “Platini” and “Cruyff,” from Box to Box Films and madcap HBO Max French series “I Hate Swimming” as well as in the scripted realm, “Guts,” from Finnish “Money Shot” creator Jemina Jokisalo, about self-sacrifice in competitive cross-country skiing.
Four of Canneseries’ nine long-form main competition titles are from Scandinavia, two more from Spain’s Movistar Plus+. “We’ve always been strong in Scandinavia. It is the most inventive of global territories and for me Movistar Plus+ is the local HBO of Europe,” Lewi said.
Panels take in Palestine’s Tawfik Abu Wael and Israel’s Hagai Levi discussing making together 2019 HBO-Keshet Studios series “Our Boys,” and a talk from producer David Bernad about how “The White Lotus” ended up shooting in France.
A closer look at the just announced titles:
“Half Man,” (Richard Gadd, U.K.)
Gadd’s follow-up to “Baby Reindeer,” a HBO-BBC production from Banijay’s Mam Tor and one of the year’s most anticipated series. Gadd and Jamie Bell (“Rocket Man”) play Ruben and Niall, thick as thieves when kids and now life-defining enemies. An examination of entrenched masculinity, capturing the wild energy of a changing city – “a changing world,” its makers say. “‘Baby Reindeer’ was such a good shock. I’m very impressed that, after auto-fiction, Gadd is tackling fiction so quickly,” said Lewi.
“Paris Police 1910,” (Fabien Nury, France)
The third and final season of the high-end, crafted Canal+, Sky and Studiocanal banner crime franchise bowed by “Paris Police 1900,” Belle Epoque Noir reverberating down to the modern day in its bracing violence, gritty street settings, torrid racism and women’s subjugation. Here, Inspector Jouin (Jérémie Laheurte) investigates the real-life Meg Steinheil case where the socialite was accused of murdering her husband and mother. “I’ve rarely seen historical reconstruction at this level. It has fans over the world. I’ve talked to very high-level showrunners in the U.S. who love the series,” Lewi commented.
“Prisoner,” (Matt Charman, U.K.)
A Canal+ and Sky crime action thriller from Matt Charman, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Steven Spielberg’s “Bridge of Spies,” and directed by “Peaky Blinders”helmer Otto Bathurst. “Boiling Point’s” Izuka Hoyle plays a prison officer escorting – and handcuffed to – a trained killer high-value prisoner (Tahar Rahim, “A Prophet”) to court to testify against his elite crime syndicate, which suddenly ambushes the duo. Co-starring Eddie Marsan and Catherine McCormack. Release scheduled for late April. An international premiere. “A crowd-pleasing very efficient action series,” said Lewi.
“Star City,” (Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert and Ronald D. Moore, U.S.)
“House of the Dragon” star Rhys Ifans fronts the Apple TV+ “For All Mankind” spinoff, produced by Sony Picture Television, playing the driving force behind the Soviet Union’s space program. An alt-history take on the space race, like “For All Mankind,” just renewed for a sixth and final season, “Star City,” which debuts May 29, imagines the Soviet Union putting the first man on the moon. “It’s a series that talks about how the Soviet Union manipulated even its best talent,” Lewi commented A world premiere.
“The Terror: Devil in Silver,”(Chris Cantwell, U.S)
Produced by AMC+ and Shudder, a third iteration in horror anthology “The Terror,” produced again by Scott Free. After “The Terror” (2018) chronicling Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition and “Infamy,” charting the devastation of WWII Japanese-American internment, in “Devil in Silver,” adapting Victor LaValle’s novel, Dan Stevens plays Pepper, wrongfully committed to a psychiatric hospital, contending with patients, doctors and maybe the Devil. A world premiere.
“California Avenue,” (Hugo Blick, U.K.)
Starring Bill Nighy (“About Time”), Helena Bonham Carter (“The Crown”) and reuniting Blick, Mediawan’s Drama Republic, Eight Rooks and the BBC following “The English,” “The Honourable Woman” and “Black Earth Rising.” A ‘70s-set family saga, Lela and her daughter, seeking a fresh start, join a canal-side caravan community, but the life she escaped begins to hunt her down. A French premiere.
Long-Form Competition
“Alice and Steve,”(Sophie Goodhart, U.K. )
A Disney+ title from“Sex Education” writer-director Goodhart in her first role as a creator and “Baby Reindeer” producer Clerkenwell Films, owned by BBC Studios. Jermaine Clement (“What We Do in the Shadows”) and Nicola Walker (“The Split”) play a pair of platonic middle-aged friends whose relationship is tested when he begins dating her 26-year-old daughter. “I couldn’t have dreamed of a better cast,” Lewi commented. World premiere.
“Guts,” (Jemina Jokisalo, Finland, Slovenia)
From Jokisalo, behind feminist porn tale “Money Shot,” a mystery drama thriller, “Guts” turns on cross-country skiing top athlete Anna who gets one more chance to become a world champion, despite her nemesis, natural-born skiing sensation Maria. Commissioned by Finnish pubcaster Yle and sold by About Premium Content, which bills it “‘Black Swan’ in snow.” An international premiere.
“Snake Killer,” (Anders Ølholm)
Starring Pilou Asbæk, Kasper Juul in “Borgen” and Euron Greyjoy in “Games of Thrones,” here playing a corrupt cop in Amazon MGM Studios’ first Danish Original. Inspired by real events, it depicts Copenhagen’s infamous Uropatruljen police unit battling to face down the local mafia, by any means necessary. From Anders Ølholm whose movie “Shorta,” a Venice Festival premiere, was picked up by Magnolia for North America. “It channels the energy of Nicolas Wending Refn’s ‘Pusher’ trilogy. Few cops are so charismatic and horrific as Asbæk’s character. It’s like ‘Dirty Harry’ but dirtier,” said Lewi. World premiere.
“Harvest,” (Martin Zandvliet,” Denmark)
Produced by DR Drama, an original series written and directed by Oscar-nominated Zandvliet (“Land of Mine”) and produced by Rikke Tørholm Kofoed (“Prisoner”). In a modern Danish farming family, the patriarch Gorm unexpectedly chooses to pass the family farm to his youngest daughter, Astrid, causing a deep rift. Supported by broadcaster New8 in its just-announced third slate of series. World premiere.
“I Always Sometimes,” (“Yo siempre a veces,” Marta Bassols, Marta Loza, Spain)
The latest from “Veneno” and “La Mesías” creators Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo as producers and Movistar Plus+, a realistic coming of age tale depicting the travails of a single mother, pregnant, and then with a toddler son, in Barcelona. Directed by Ginesta Guindal (“Perfect Life”), Claudia Costafreda (“Cardo”) and Loza. Bowing at Barcelona’s D/A fest, an international premiere. “A young auteur series,” Lewi told Variety.
“Many People Need to Die,” (Victoria Martín, Spain)
“Pure comedy with big punchlines that will make everybody laugh,” said Lewi. The series is also a second play for younger audiences by Movistar Plus+ adapting a novel from Victoria Martín, one of Spain’s most prominent YouTube and podcast comedians. Created by Martín and directed with Sandra Romero (“The New Years”), an archly ironic vision of early thirties female friendship and crises drive by a top-notch Spanish cast led by Anna Castillo (“Nowhere”) and Macarena Gómez (“30 Coins”). World premiere.
“Summer of 1985,” (Bjorn Stein, Sweden, U.S.)
An SVT adaptation of “Let The Right One In” author John Ajvide Lindqvist‘s latest novel created by “The Bridge” co-creator and “Whiskey on the Rocks” director Björn Stein. Described as “a psychological coming-of-age thriller,” it turns on a group of young friends who discover a strange creature on the mythical island of Svärtan. Sold by Fifth Element after a recent deal with producer Media Res Studio (“Pachinko”) in L.A. World premiere.
“The Red and the Black,” (Ida Panahandeh, Iran)
In mid-19th century Iran, painter Nowruz falls for a fearlessly defiant Roma fortune teller, sparking their desperate flight and a tragic saga echoing down generations, the synopsis runs. Directed and co-written by Panahandeh whose film “Nahid” won a Prix de l’Avenir special prize at Cannes 2015 Un Certain Regard. Set for release on Iranian SVOD service Filimo and produced and sold by HA International.
Short Form Competition
“Avant qu’on m’oublié,” (Olivier Aubé, Quebec, Canada)
A nostalgic, dramedic return to 2008 and the dawn of social media, with Alex persuading his friends to webcam pranks. But the project sours. Supported by TV5’s Creators in Series program.
“Boho,” (Abbie Boutkabout, Netherlands)
A millennial female-led dramedy directed by Olympia Allaert and set in the vibrant neighborhood of Borgerhout in Antwerp boasts intricately choreographed dance and music to tell the intertwined stories of three young friends. From Banijay’s leading Flemish production house jonnydepony whose “The Big Fuck-Up” was a highlight of Canneseries 2025.
“Ina,” (Rachel Maxine Anderson, Australia)
Created, written and directed by Rachel Maxine Anderson a co writer-director on LGBT web series “Two Weeks” (2017) and doc “Bananas” another exploration of identity and roots by Maxine Anderson, here with driven TV producer Madeline is forced to cast her Asian mother as the guest star of her cooking show. A YouTube production. World premiere.
“Paradoxes,” (Maxime Donzel, Émilie Valentin, Pierre Zandrowicz, France, Greece)
A depressive journalist discovers a forest area that seems to embody the fears of those which explore it, forcing him to confront his inner demons to save the world.
Set to air on Arte France and Greece’s Cosmote TV, and produced by VR specialist Atlas V with Byrd and Mediawan’s Imagissime. World premiere.
“Sheep,” (Alex Reinberg, Leni Gruber, Austria)
Sheep believe they have domesticated humans, but it remains a delusion and “saving a blinded herd from certain death proves anything but easy,” says the synopsis.
Produced by Horse & Fruits Filmproduktion, to air on public broadcasters ZDF – Das kleine Fernsehspiel and ORF.World premiere.
“Sneakermania,” (Vilja Keskimäki, Jani Airiainen, Aleksi Aro-Heinilä, Finland)
Ola, a 17-year-old sneakerhead chases social media cache in Helsinki but when former best-friend Jay steals the limelight at a high stakes raffle, Ola has to choose between friendship and fame. Backed by Helsinki-filmi Oy, aired by Yle. International premiere.
Docuseries
“The Oligarch and the Art Dealer,” (Andreas Dalsgaard, France, Denmark, U.S. Switzerland, Netherlands)
Co-created, written and directed by Dalsgaard and a Sundanc and CPH-Dox highlight, the $1 billion dispute between Swiss art dealer Yves Bouvier and Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, and the currency of the ultra-rich: Investing in art. “Better than gold. Better than diamonds,” says Dalsgaard. An Arte series, repped by CAA for the U.S. and Dogwolf in international.
“Colonna, Une Tragedie Corse,” (Ariane Chemin, Agnès Pizzini, France)
60 years of latent war between Corsica and the French government, exposed in 2022 by the prison murder of Corsican activist Yvan Colonna—convicted of the assassination of Prefect Érignac. A French Télévisions three-part series.
“Cruyff,” (Sam Blair, U.K.)
A take on Johan Cruyff, soccer genius and inventor of modern soccer as seen by other greats such as Pep Guardiola, Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit. San Blair (Ronnie O’Sullivan: The Edge of Everything,” “Maradona ’86”) directs and edits.
“A Woman Was Killed,” (Nahid Shaikh, Phara de Aguirre, Belgium)
Four cases of feminicide in Belgium, explores four lives through
family testimonies, revealing missed red flags, repeated pleas for help and how police and justice failed. Aired on Flemish public broadcaster VRT.
“The Deal With Iran,” ( Lennart Stuyck, Maarten Stuyck, Belgium)
Another VRT doc miniseries. A bomb plot near Paris sparks a high-stakes investigation and a shadow war, exposing covert
networks, political pressure and a deadly game of hostage diplomacy.
Canneseries Rendez-Vous
Now one of its biggest of sections catering for French audiences, takes in a Mediawan’s “Platini,” Season 2, a portrait of the legendary French soccer player directed by Blue August and featuring Sam Claflin and Jeremy Irons. In the mix is M6 kidnapping thriller “Vigilantes” with Eric Cantona, and French classic novel adaptation “The Red and the Black,” both from France Télévisions, Disney+ prison workplace comedy “Minimum Security” and TF1 serial killer thriller “Zodiaque,” a sequel to the 2004 ratings buster of the same name, seen by 8 million viewers and adapted by RAI2 and Germany’s Sat.1.
Also set to unveil are candid HBO Max doc miniseries “I Hate Swimming” starring French Olympic gold medallist swimmer Florent Manaudou, France 2 and Slash social media show “Putain de Soirée,” about one last chance at romance, and Arte’s animated short form bromance series “The Broos,” adapting the French TikTok and Instagram sensation.
The Rendez-Vous also features Season 1 of Belgium’s English-language 1930s whodunit “This Is Not a Murder Mystery,” featuring Salvador Dali and René Magritte, commissioned by VRT, backed by New8 and sold by Studiocanal.
A Korea Focus takes in “Sacred Jewel,” a 1258-set action melodrama set against Mongol invasions with stars Ahn Bo-hyun and Claudia Kim announced as attending Cannes, pianist drama “All the Things You Are” starring “Sky Castle’s” Kang Chan-hee and short form “Genfluencer,” about a facially scarred creator of an AI K-pop idol.
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