Beta Film unveils an exciting lineup for Mipcom

A new era of epic storytelling

Beta Film, one of Europe’s most ambitious independent production companies, has revealed its impressive sales slate for Mipcom. Leading the charge is the 10-part epic Rise of the Raven, alongside the gripping true story adaptation Last to Brake, and the popular Greek series The Beach, now boasting 288 episodes.

Rise of the Raven: A historical masterpiece

Promising to be one of Mipcom’s most significant world premieres, Rise of the Raven is set to debut in the Grand Auditorium of Cannes Palais des Festivals on October 22. Produced by the acclaimed Robert Lantos, known for Sunshine and Eastern Promises, this series delves into the extraordinary life of Hungarian army commander Janos Hunyadi. Hunyadi’s strategic brilliance turned the tide against the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Belgrade in 1456. The series not only highlights his military prowess but also explores the personal struggles of his first love, Mara, and his wife, Erzsébet, against the backdrop of war.

Last to Brake: The thrill of motorcycle racing

Selected for the Venice TV Awards, Last to Brake is a four-part series that captures the exhilarating and perilous world of early ’70s motorcycle racing. The story follows Finnish racer Jarno Saarinen as he challenges the seemingly invincible Giacomo Agostini in the 1972 350cc World Championship. Produced by Helsinki-based Funfar and co-produced by Fireframe and Finnish pubcaster YLE, this series promises to be a thrilling ride through the highs and lows of competitive racing.

The Beach: A Greek phenomenon

Set during the summer of free love on a hippie commune in Crete, The Beach has become a cultural institution in Greece. With 288 episodes, it is the most-watched show on pubcaster ERT and its streaming platform Ertflix. Orestis Plakias of Athens-based Foss, known for Maestro in Blue and Milky Way, aimed to approach this long-running show with the same dedication as a mini-series, resulting in its massive success.

New dramas to watch out for

Patience: A unique procedural

Patience stars Laura Fraser, known for her role in Breaking Bad, as Detective Bea Metcalf. She teams up with young autistic police archivist Patience Evans, played by Ella Maisy Purvis. Set in the historic city of York, this six-part crime drama is produced by Eagle Eye Drama for PBS and Channel 4.

Bookish: Solving crimes with a literary twist

Bookish, created by and starring Mark Gatiss of Sherlock fame, is set in 1946 London. Gatiss plays a bookshop owner who assists the police in solving crimes. This stylish and colorful six-part series is produced by Eagle Eye Drama for UKTV and is set to begin production in April 2024.

A Better Man: A tale of redemption

A Better Man is a four-part drama from Norwegian producer Maipo Film. It follows Norway’s top internet troll and arch misogynist on his path to redemption. Led by Norwegian superstar Anders Baasmo Christiansen, this series is created by Thomas Seeberg Torjussen and commissioned by NRK and ZDFneo.

Continuing successes

Beta Film will also present the fourth season of Sisi, a mega-hit on RTL+ already sold to over 120 countries. The Helsinki Syndrome, a Nordic Noir thriller starring Peter Franzén, has been renewed for a second season. Additionally, the Italian YA hit Prisma, which explores the lives of identical adolescent twins challenging gender norms, will also return for another season.

Did you enjoy this article? Share it on your social channels and let us know your thoughts! Don’t miss out on the latest updates! Follow us on social media to stay informed about the newest releases.