Prime Video France Boosts Local Content with New Formats, Adaptations, and Star-Studded Productions
Unveiling a Fresh Slate of Innovative French Originals
Expanding Horizons with Creator-Led Formats
Prime Video France is venturing into new entertainment territories with "Mascarade," an innovative, creator-driven format designed to captivate audiences. This show, spearheaded by popular YouTube personality Loris Giuliano, draws inspiration from the streamer's highly successful "LOL" franchise. It challenges eight renowned French celebrities to attend Giuliano's birthday party while cleverly disguised, relying on advanced technology to alter their appearance and voices. The objective is to remain incognito until the early morning hours, creating a blend of mystery, humor, and interactive gameplay. Thomas Dubois, head of French Originals at Prime Video, expressed high hopes for "Mascarade," anticipating its potential to replicate the international success of "LOL" by offering a unique mix of investigation, comedy, and game show elements, blurring the lines into escape-game territory.
High-Anticipation Literary Adaptations
In a move to leverage popular existing intellectual property, Prime Video France has announced a key partnership with celebrated author Joël Dicker. This collaboration will bring two more of his international bestsellers, "L'Énigme de la Chambre 622" and "Le Livre des Baltimore," to the screen, following the highly anticipated adaptation of "Animal Sauvage." The six-part series "Animal Sauvage," directed by Vincent Maël Cardona, is already set to begin filming, featuring a stellar cast including Noémie Merlant, Matthias Schoenaerts, Pauline Clément, Pierre-Yves Cardinal, and Quim Gutiérrez. Dubois emphasized that this strategy aligns with the strong connection French audiences have with established literary works, enabling Prime Video to transform these beloved stories into ambitious, high-quality productions that distinctly reflect the platform's brand.
Boosting Scripted and Unscripted Content
Prime Video is significantly amplifying its investment in local scripted productions. Among the notable projects is "Paris 18," a thrilling series from Iconoclast, created by Elias Belkeddar and Audrey Diwan, acclaimed director of "Happening." This series is described as an intense narrative set within a vibrant Parisian neighborhood, where diverse destinies and cultures intertwine. Additionally, "Les Justiciers," based on an original concept by Philippe Lacheau and his collaborators, promises a unique take on unlikely heroes. Dubois highlighted the streamer's commitment to fostering long-term relationships with talent, particularly noting their enduring partnership with Philippe Lacheau, which has already yielded the successful "LOL" franchise and other film projects. This new venture aims to further explore creative avenues with Lacheau, building on their shared success.
A Diverse Approach to Film and Series Development
The strategic announcements also include a robust film slate designed to cater to various tastes. "B.A.D.G.E," a buddy-cop comedy produced by Mediawan-owned Les Films entre 2&4 and Making Prod, will star Marina Foïs and Alison Wheeler, under the direction of Simon Astier. Another action-comedy, "Stunt," written and directed by Franck Gastambide, features him alongside Jean-Pascal Zadi, Sofiane Zermani, Valeria Galviz, and José Garcia, produced by Kowloon Film with Autodidakte. On the unscripted front, beyond "Mascarade," Prime Video introduces "Les Fumiers – Bienvenue à la ferme." This series, produced by ITV Studios France and narrated by Ragnar Le Breton, follows eight urban content creators as they experience life and work on distinct French farms, abandoning their digital routines for rural challenges. These diverse projects underscore Prime Video's dedication to becoming a multifaceted destination for entertainment in France, focusing on quality and audience engagement rather than just quantity.
Commitment to Local Relevance and Talent Development
Thomas Dubois articulated Prime Video's overarching strategy for the French market, emphasizing its role as a hub for varied content—from formats and films to comedy, romance, premium drama, and literary adaptations. He stressed that every project is chosen for its specific resonance with the French audience and its potential to spark widespread discussion. The upcoming film schedule further highlights this commitment with "Masterplan," a heist comedy starring Stanley Tucci, marking Prime Video's inaugural French-Italian Original film. During the Parisian presentation, initial glimpses and a teaser for "Glamsquad" were also revealed, confirming the participation of Catherine Deneuve and popular singer Theodora, alongside Arcadi Radeff, Antonia Buresi, Lucie Goudeau, and Natacha Krief. This six-part series delves into the aspirations of young talents navigating the competitive fashion and beauty industries. Dubois also proudly noted the significant gender parity and diversity among talent both in front of and behind the camera, with nearly half of the series and films in 2026 produced by women and 50% of writers being female, reflecting a conscious effort to support and highlight diverse voices in the industry.
