Netflix preps first Belgian drama original

Netflix has announced its first Belgian original drama series, a six-parter based on a bestselling novel by Polish author Jacek Dukaj.

Michael Azzolino

Into the Night focuses on a group of passengers trapped on a plane that departs Brussels shortly after sunlight begins destroying everything in its path. The diverse manifest of passengers and crew start flying west, into the darkness, as they try to work out a way to survive.

Adapted from Dukaj’s The Old Axolotl, it will be directed by Belgian duo Inti Calfat and Dirk Verheye, with Brussels outfit Entre Chien et Loup producing.

The series is written and created by Jason George, who executive produces alongside Tomek Bagiński and Dukaj.

Michael Azzolino, director of international originals at Netflix, said: “We are happy to announce our first Belgian original series, Into the Night. We are excited to work with this great international team of writers, producers, directors and cast to bring this unique series to life.”

Bagiński added: “What I loved most in this story was the inevitability of apocalypse and the idea that you can run from it in a plane with a group of strangers who don’t even speak the same language.

“We never really know the people we travel with – to realise that maybe those people are now your tribe, people your survival depends on – this is a base for a great drama and a great thriller.”

Into the Night will launch globally on Netflix in 2020.

In related news, the streaming giant has also commissioned Centarworld, an animated musical fantasy series from first-time showrunner Megan Nicole Dong (How to Train Your Dragon 2).

The animated series follows a war horse seeking to return home after it is transported to an alternative universe inhabited by cheerful singing creatures.

Netflix has committed to a 20-episode order of the series, which will feature a mix of animation styles. Additionally, each episode will include original songs from a number of genres.

Centaurworld is executive produced by Dong alongside Dominic Bisignano. Meghan McCarthy will serve as story editor, with Toby Chu as series composer.

It joins the catalogue of animated series in production at Netflix, including City of Ghosts from Elizabeth Ito, Kid Cosmic from Craig McCracken and Battle Kitty from Matt Layzell.