Belgian Down’s syndrome dramedy Team Chocolate gets English-language remake

Team Chocolate was originally commissioned by VRT

An English-language version of Belgian dramedy Team Chocolate is in the works after STXtelevision and Reel One Entertainment acquired format rights from French independent distributor Wild Bunch TV.

STXtelevision, part of the Eros STX Global Corporation Indian-American multinational established last year, and Newen-owned Canadian/UK prodco Reel One are now developing their adaptation of the series. It was originally made by Belgium’s De Mensen, also part of Newen.

Team Chocolate, otherwise known as Tytgat Chocolat, was commissioned by Belgian pubcaster VRT. It tells the story of a young man with Down’s syndrome who starts his first job in a family-run chocolate factory, working with a diverse team of employees with a range of disabilities.

Described as a feel-good, irreverent dramedy about family and finding the courage to pursue love and happiness, the show was named Best Drama Series at the first Diversity TV Excellence Awards at Mipcom in 2017. In the same year, it won the Prix Europa for Best European Fiction Series.

“We were struck by Team Chocolate’s honest and unbarred portrayal of lives within a community we don’t often see authentically adapted for screen,” said STXtelevision president of creative development and production Jada Miranda.

Reel One CEO Tom Berry added: “We needed a partner that shared our passion for this project, and STX’s enthusiasm, commitment and creative chops makes them the ideal coproducer. De Mensen did such a great job with the original.”

A UK version of the show was in the works several years ago.