Keshet Int’l expands German scripted efforts, launches standalone prodco

Keshet Germany will be led by Axel Kühn and Christina Christ

Keshet International (KI) is doubling down on the German scripted marketplace with the launch of a standalone production company, Keshet Germany.

The new prodco is an extension of its existing German scripted division, Keshet Tresor Fiction (KTF), which is being relaunched as a standalone outfit five years after it was first set up.

Munich-based Keshet Germany will be led by KTF managing directors Axel Kühn and Christina Christ, who is being elevated from her current role as KTF’s director of fiction programmes.

The new entity will have the same remit as KTF, which produced German adaptations of shows including comedy series Stockholm for RTL+ and How to Dad for ARD Degeto, Israeli scripted formats and originals such as thriller series Der Schatten (ZDFneo).

KI said all personnel currently working for KTF will move to Keshet Germany, including producer Tina Hechinger, head of production Bernd Krause and script consultant Konstantin Kühnle.

Tresor TV, the German unscripted prodco, will continue to operate with Kühn at the helm.

Keshet Germany’s development slate includes a German adaptation of Israeli thriller False Flag, with Stefanie Veith (Der Schatten) serving as head writer. The original version of the series, produced by Tender Productions for Israeli free-to-air channel Keshet 12, follows five ordinary Israelis who wake up one morning and find themselves accused of being involved in a high-profile kidnapping. Apple TV+ also commissioned a UK version of the show.

The prodco is also developing a drama series based on Dr Mabuse, a fictional character synonymous with disguise and telepathic hypnosis who has been an important figure in the history of German film. The series is being written by Boris Kunz (Netflix’s Paradise) in partnership with producer Alice Brauner and CCC Films.

Also in development is a reimagining of the notorious historical figure Klaus Störtebeker, a 14th century pirate whose death by beheading has become part of German national mythology. Robert Krause (RTL’s Sisi) and Florian Puchert (Joyn’s Dignity) are penning the drama series.

Keshet Germany said it has several other scripted projects in development, with plans to introduce them to local buyers in the coming months.

“How time flies when you are having fun! Relaunching as a standalone scripted production company demonstrates how successful our scripted strategy here in Germany has been so far, with high-quality successes like Der Schatten, Unter Freunden stirbt man nicht, and How to Dad to show for our efforts,” said Kühn and Christ.

“Our focus at Keshet Germany will be on rebooting internationally recognised IP like Keshet’s False Flag and Dr Mabuse, while also reimagining characters of cultural significance in Germany, like legendary pirate Klaus Störtebeker.”

KI’s CEO Keren Shahar added: “I am incredibly proud of what Christina and Axel and all the team at Keshet Tresor Fiction have achieved in the five years since we launched the scripted division in Germany specifically to leverage KI’s scripted catalogue there. Their hard work, determination, and sheer talent for what they do has propelled our scripted operations in Germany forward and I look forward to seeing what comes next from them and Keshet Germany.”