FMI takes Pope to Cannes

Jude Law in The Young Pope

FremantleMedia International (FMI) is leading its Mipcom slate with dramas The Young Pope, American Gods and Apple Tree Yard.

The Young Pope (10×60’) follows the controversial story of a fictional pope, billed as a “complex and conflicted character” who is prone to conservative choices but also full of compassion towards the weak and poor.

The eight-episode drama from HBO, Sky and French broadcaster Canal+ is produced by Fremantle-owned Wildside in a coproduction with Haut et Court TV and MediaPro.

Also going to the Cannes market is American Gods – based on the novel by Neil Gaiman – a FremantleMedia North America production for Starz in the US. Apple Tree Yard (4×60’), a Kudos production for BBC1, is based on Louise Doughty’s book of the same name, which follows Yvonne Carmichael, an eminent geneticist in her early 50s.

On the comedy side, FMI’s slate includes Cuckoo (Roughtcut TV for BBC), Borderline (LittleRock for Channel 5) and Chewing Gum, a Retort production for E4.

FMI is also bringing factual series The Cars that Made Us (Voltage TV Production for Channel 5), An Hour to Save Your Life (Boundless for BBC2) and I Am Heath Ledger (A Network Entertainment production for Spike TV) to the market.

The X Factor, The Lie Detective and The Fashion Startup make up FMI’s entertainment line-up, while House Doctor, Hairy Bikers’ Chicken & Egg and Jamie’s Super Food Family Classics feature in lifestyle.