Walter Presents adds first African drama

Non-English-language VoD service Walter Presents has acquired two dramas from France’s Lagardère Distribution, including its first African series.

Walter Iuzzolino

The African drama is Sakho & Mangane, an eight-part detective series set in Senegal capital Dakar in which seasoned police officer Commander Sakho is paired up with rookie recruit Mangane, creating a new investigative dynamic. The series is produced by Keewu for Canal+ International.

Philarmonia, meanwhile, is a six-part French thriller series set in Paris. The series sees a new conductor take over a troubled national orchestra following the death of the previous conductor. Philarmonia is produced by Merlin Productions for public broadcaster France 2.

Walter Iuzzolino, Walter Presents co-founder and curator, said: “Walter Presents was set up to find hidden drama gems from around the world and we’re proud to be championing our very first African series. Sakho & Mangane is a thriller of contrasts with an unlikely but likeable cop duo at its heart. A crime procedural set in Senegal is a rare treat and I’m hoping it will be the first of many more African series we can acquire.

“Philharmonia is a deliciously rich thriller set in the seemingly classy world of classical music. However, look beyond the orchestra pit and a dirty world of back-stabbing, jealousy and bloody vendettas is revealed. This is an utterly addictive thriller with a soundtrack to die for.”