PARAMOUNT+ UNVEILS SLATE OF PREMIUM INTERNATIONAL SCRIPTED ORIGINAL SERIES

With 50 Scripted International Originals to be Announced in 2022, Initial Slate includes: A Gentleman in Moscow; Sexy Beast; Simon Beckett’s The Chemistry of Death; Renewals of Cecilia and Los Enviados (The Envoys); and Yonder

Paramount+, the global streaming service from ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC, VIACA),  announced a slate of six international scripted original series. The initial slate is part of the streamer’s plans to greenlight 50 new international scripted originals in 2022.

Through this new slate, Paramount+ will expand its pipeline of premium internationally originated content to serve all types of audiences and increase the service’s robust content offering. Nearly all of these international titles will be developed and produced for Paramount+ by VIS, ViacomCBS’ international studio, which has a vast production footprint spanning more than 20 countries and 15 languages.

The slate includes new titles and recommissions, including the following, which will premiere on Paramount+ in Latin America, Canada and Australia where the service is currently available, as well as in all markets where the service will launch in 2022。

A Gentleman in Moscow (UK) Based on the best-selling novel by Amor Towles, this drama series tells the story of Count Rostov who, in 1922, finds himself stuck in Moscow and on the wrong side of history. The Communist Party agrees to let him live but he is never allowed to set foot outside the Metropole Hotel until the day he dies. Co-produced by VIS and eOne.

Sexy Beast (UK) The prequel series, based on the hit cult classic film of the same name, begins with Gal Dove and Don Logan just as they descend into the seductive madness of the London criminal world during the vibrant and volatile 1990s. At its core, this is a love story between two men — à la Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. In association with VIS, produced by Chapter One, with showrunner Michael Caleo (The Sopranos).

Simon Beckett’s The Chemistry of Death (Germany) A thrilling, psychological crime series based on Simon Beckett’s bestselling novels following forensic anthropologist Dr. David Hunter. Written by BAFTA-winning screenwriter Sukey Venables Fisher (Electricity, Unconditional) and directed by Richard R. Clark (War of the Worlds, Versailles, Outlander), the series will be shot in the UK. Producing partners are Nadcon Film and Cuba Pictures, in association with VIS.

Los Enviados (The Envoys) – Season 2 (Mexico): The second season of this series finds priests Pedro Salinas (Luis Gerardo Méndez) and Simon Antequera (Miguel Ángel Silvestre) traveling to Spain to investigate an inexplicable miracle. While there, the priests unearth shocking secrets of the town’s history. In association with VIS, produced by Academy Award winner Juan José Campanella and his production company, 100 Bares.

Cecilia – Season 2 (Mexico): The second season of Cecilia begins after a fire destroys the family bakery, Pan Dulce, and Cecilia (Mariana Treviño) and her relatives begin the process of rebuilding it. Without a business to keep the family financially afloat, they will have to find another way to make ends meet, and family relationships are more tense than ever. In association with VIS, produced by Oficina Burman, a Mediapro company.

Additionally, following ViacomCBS’ recent announcement of a strategic partnership with CJ ENM, Paramount+ announced the following premium scripted original series will debut in Latin America, Canada and Australia, as well as in France, the UK, and GSA (Germany, Switzerland, Austria) upon launch. The series will premiere on TVING in Korea later this year.

Yonder (South Korea): Set in 2032, ‘Yonder’ is an unknown space designed for the dead to be able to live on by uploading memories of their lifetime from their brain. The story unfolds as a man receives a message from his deceased wife, inviting him to the unknown space, ‘Yonder’. The drama/science-fiction series raises questions about life and death and what it means to have eternal happiness as humanity comes face to face with a world created by advancements in science technology. Presented by TVING (CJ ENM’s streaming platform) and ViacomCBS, produced by Doodoong Pictures and CJ ENM, directed by Lee Joon-ik.

This slate will complement the robust lineup of previously announced Paramount+ international scripted originals, including Bosé, Miss Fallaci Takes America, At Midnight, Not a Bride and more, as well as a growing roster of previously announced and highly-anticipated scripted series, including: Fatal Attraction, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, Rabbit Hole and The Offer, in addition to popular titles from ViacomCBS, such as Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years and MTV Unplugged, as well as South Park, with the series’ expansive library of episodes to move exclusively in SVOD to Paramount+ in international markets later this year.

Paramount+ continues to expand its global footprint and is set to launch in the UK, South Korea, France, GSA and Italy in 2022. Outside of the United States, Paramount+ offers nearly 3,000 episodes of kids’ content, 1,000 episodes of reality, more than 500 films, and 2,500 hours of Paramount+ Originals, CBS and SHOWTIME® series, dramas, and sitcoms. The service has expanded its live sports offering outside the U.S. and Australia to include Central America and Mexico with the exclusive rights to the English Premier League.

The announcements were made during the ViacomCBS Investor Event, which took place Tuesday, February 15, 2022, and included a comprehensive update on the company’s streaming strategy.

A replay of the investor event will be available in the Events, Webcasts & Annual Meetings section of ViacomCBS’ Investors website (ir.viacomcbs.com).

About Paramount+

Paramount+ is a global digital subscription video streaming service from ViacomCBS that features a mountain of premium entertainment for audiences of all ages. Internationally, the streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME®, BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel, in addition to a robust offering of premier local content. The service is currently live in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the Nordics, and Australia, and will be live in 48 markets by the end of 2022.

Source:ViacomCBS