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Johan Renck and Michael Parets launch prodco, link up with Fremantle

Chernobyl director Johan Renck and veteran producer Michael Parets are launching a new production outfit called Sinestra with a two-year first-look TV deal in place with Fremantle.

Johan Renck

The first project being developed under the pact is Mouth to Mouth, based on Canadian-American author Antoine Wilson’s novel about the raucous LA art scene of the 1990s.

Under the agreement, selected TV projects will be co-owned, co-developed and coproduced by Fremantle, which will take the lead on physical production, raising financing and selling the projects internationally.

Parets most recently ran the film and TV division at Channing Tatum’s production company Free Association, where he developed and produced projects including the upcoming sci-fi drama feature Spaceman for Netflix. Prior to that he worked at FilmNation.

In addition to HBO/Sky drama Chernobyl, for which he won an Emmy for outstanding directing in a limited series, Swedish director Renck also helmed all episodes and coproduced the limited series The Last Panthers (Sky/Canal+), starring John Hurt and Samantha Morton.

He also directed episodes of TV series such as Vikings, Bloodline, Shut Eye, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, Halt And Catch Fire and Bates Motel. Currently, he is in pre-production on the pilot for Dune: The Sisterhood for HBO Max.

Michael Parets

“As we come together to launch Sinestra as a home for ambitious, bracing storytelling, we’re thrilled to have found the perfect partners in Fremantle,” said Renck and Parets in a joint statement.

“They know how to push artists and their audiences out of their comfort zones and into the invigorating creative space where true risk is rewarded. We can’t wait to see what kind of trouble we get into with them.”

Christian Vesper, president of global drama at Fremantle, added: “I have long been a fan of Johan’s work and it is a real privilege to welcome him, and the whole team at Sinestra, to the Fremantle family.

“We are in no doubt that together we will bring some exceptional projects to audiences around the world, and we are honoured that Johan has chosen to work with us.”

The first-look deal was brokered by Fremantle’s Vesper and Seb Shorr, executive VP of commercial and business affairs for scripted, and Renck’s team at Casarotto Ramsay & Associates, CAA, Black Bear Pictures and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.

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