Max Sets First Italian Scripted Series  Max has set Portobello, a series by Marco Bellocchio, as its first Italian-scripted original production. The show will debut on Max in 2026. Production began in Rome last September and will also shoot in Sardinia, Campania, and Lombardy. The six-episode…

ITV Exploring ‘Extreme Planet Earth’ In Series From Plimsoll Tiny World producer Plimsoll is making an extreme natural history series for ITV. Extreme Planet Earth will see “underscore the high-stakes battle for wildlife survival in an era of extreme weather, wildfires and environmental…

Eagle Eye Hires Drama Director The Couple Next Door producer Eagle Eye has hired a drama director. Carolina Giammetta, who is currently completing production on Bookish with Mark Gatiss, will develop and direct new dramas for Eagle Eye while coming aboard as EP on the growing slate. Eagle Eye was…

Bectu Launches Biggest Ever Survey British broadcasting union Bectu is launching what it is calling its largest ever survey of those working behind the scenes in TV and film. The union is asking workers across the UK's creative industries about their experiences and views on key issues facing…

Pinewood Unveils Revised Studios Expansion Proposal Pinewood Group has revised its plans to expand its Buckinghamshire site and launched a new public consultation to discuss development options. While noting that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently called the site "the spiritual home of…

UK Drama School LAMDA Opens In New York Top UK drama school LAMDA is opening in the U.S. The institution, which says it is the “world’s oldest drama school,” last week launched a New York facility with U.S. sister org American Friends of LAMDA (AFLAMDA). The facilities will serve as a hub for…

Channel 4 Behind Doc On Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Channel 4 is making a documentary about Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, the disgraced rapper who is set to go on trial this year. Lion TV’s Diddy: In Plain Sight will explore the world of Combs, from the highs of his extreme success to his abusive behavior and some…

Turkey's Kanal D Internatioanal Adds To Sales Team Turkish distributor Kanal D International has beefed up its international team with a new hire and a promotion. Duda Rodrigues joins to cover sales to the U.S. and Canada as well as Latin America  and Portuguese-speaking territories. With…

Rai Adapting Mario Tobino’s Tuscan World War Two Novel Italy’s Rai is adapting Mario Tobino's influential novel Le Libere Donne di Magliano- Mondadori Libri. Endemol Shine Italy and Rai Fiction are producing the adaptation, which is set in Tuscany during the Second World War and follows a…

Sky Italia Commits To ‘The X Factor’ After First Ever Outdoor Final Sky Italia has committed to The X Factor for two more seasons following soaring ratings for the first ever finale to take place outdoors. Last week’s final reached its highest rating for four years and was staged outside in…

Channel 4 To Spotlight ‘The Trial Of Michael Jackson’ Michael Jackson’s trial will be spotlighted in a Channel 4 doc series from Wonderhood Studios. The Trial of Michael Jackson [working title] will feature contributors who have never spoken before to plot the story of the singer’s 2005 criminal…

Laura Mackie Leaving ‘Unforgotten’ Producer Mainstreet Pictures Unforgotten producer Mainstreet Pictures is losing its CEO. Laura Mackie, who founded the indie 10 years ago, is stepping away from the industry. CEO Sally Haynes will continue in that role and EP Guy De Glanville has been promoted…