Global spyware scandal inspires drama from France’s Mediawan, Atlantique Productions

Paris-based studio Mediawan and its own label Atlantique Productions will collaborate on a drama adaptation of a book about the Pegasus spyware scandal.

Nathalie Perus

The as-yet untitled project will be a limited drama series and is inspired by the book Pegasus: How a Spy in Our Pocket Threatens the End of Privacy, Dignity & Democracy by journalists Laurent Richard and Sandrine Rigaud who initiated and led the investigation alongside Mark Zwonitzer.

Mediawan acquired the rights to adapt the book, which will be published in January. The series tells the story of the international investigation in 2020 and 2021 that revealed how governments used Pegasus spyware technology to spy on politicians, activists and business executives.

Executive producers are Nathalie Perus, MD at Atlantique, and Thomas Anargyros, CEO of Mediawan Studio France.

“The drama will allow us to explore the inner workings of the investigation and its spy work,” said Perus. “We envision a series with the beating investigative heart of All the President’s Men and Spotlight and the thrills of State of Play, set in the high-stakes hacker world of Tehran.”