‘Maigret,’ ‘7/7: The London Bombings,’ ’30 Days and 30 Nights’ Headline Banijay Entertainment’s Packed London TV Screenings Lineup (EXCLUSIVE)

Jamie Lang

Thu, February 20, 2025 at 9:04 AM UTC

6 min read

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Banijay Entertainment is set to impress at the upcoming London TV Screenings with one of the most extensive and diverse lineups in global TV in terms of both quality and quantity. This year’s showcase, Banijay @ BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, open exclusively to buyers, will spotlight 13 scripted titles, 15 factual series, nine new unscripted formats, and six third-party shows featuring some of the most anticipated new programming on the market.

The event will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 26, across three sessions and is expected to attract a record number of global buyers eager to explore Banijay’s diverse offerings.

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Leading the charge for Banijay is “Maigret,” the first contemporary TV adaptation of the iconic detective novels by Georges Simenon, heading for PBS Masterpiece. Written by Patrick Harbinson (“Homeland,” “24,” “The Tower), the market debut – produced by Playground, behind “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light” – introduces a fresh take on the legendary Parisian Chief Inspector Jules Maigret. This reimagining features a young, unconventional Maigret, a rising star but still with something to prove, played by Benjamin Wainwright (“Belgravia: The Next Chapter”), glimpsed in a debonair first look photo released earlier this week.

Another highlight of Banijay’s factual offerings is “7/7: The London Bombings,” a landmark docu-series marking the 20th anniversary of the devastating London bombings. This potentially powerful documentary, produced by The Slate Works for BBC Two and iPlayer, promises an in-depth, emotional look at the tragic events of July 7, 2005, which changed the city forever. The documentary will bring new insights and personal stories to light, making it a must-see for anyone with an interest in contemporary history or true-crime documentaries, Banijay noted.

In formats, one potential highlight may be BBC-bound reality dating challenge “30 Dates and 30 Nights,” from Spain’s Cuarzo Producciones, part of Banijay Iberia, and free-to-air broadcaster Mediaset, made for its VOD service Mitele Plus. Rarely may true love have been so intense. Over the titular time, the show’s star – influencer Lucía Sánchez in the Spanish original – goes through 30 unique dates, mentored by the presenter Catalina Porto.

“From high-end dramas to gripping factual series, this year’s line-up highlights the exceptional depth and quality of our burgeoning catalog,” said Cathy Payne, CEO of Banijay Rights. “We cannot wait to come together later this month with our partners at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly for what has become an unmissable event in the TV industry calendar.”

James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development and Lucas Green, Chief Content Officer, Operations at Banijay Entertainment, added: “The London TV Screenings is the perfect stage to showcase Banijay Entertainment’s latest and most innovative IP, alongside reimagined hit formats. Creativity is brimming across our footprint, and with global partners seeking bold new formats, our portfolio of buzzworthy titles truly sets us apart.”

Below, we take a detailed look at Banijay’s plans for the 2025 London TV Screenings.

Expanding the Drama Slate

Highlights from Banijay’s U.K. scripted slate include the modern-day reimagining of the classic detective series “Bergerac” by U&Original, produced by Blacklight TV. It’s still set in Jersey, like the John Nettles classic, but one serialized case running across six episodes.In addition, “Half Man” weighs in as a deeply personal drama, from Emmy-winning “Baby Reindeer” – creator Richard Gadd, co-produced by HBO.

Other high-profile offerings include the psychological thriller “Fear” for Amazon Prime Video, starring Martin Compston (“Line of Duty”) and Anjli Mohindra (“Vigil”); the dark comedy “Just Act Normal” for BBC iPlayer, and “The Feud,” a domestic thriller for Channel 5. With a global eye, the catalog also features the eagerly awaited second seasons of “Marie Antoinette” and “Fallen” – international co-productions that highlight Banijay’s commitment to diverse and compelling storytelling.

Impactful Documentaries

Banijay is making waves with its range of hard-hitting and deeply engaging factual programming. The aforementioned “7/7: The London Bombings” is the headliner, but other standouts include “The Drowning Pool,” a gripping true-crime series that promises to captivate audiences with its chilling narrative; “Anatomy of a Murder” from Workerbee; “The Silence of the Earth,” an investigative documentary about climate justice; and “Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain,” a CNN Original series from Hyphenate Media Group.

Bold Unscripted Formats

Unscripted formats are always a highlight at Banijay events, and the 2025 London TV Screenings are no exception. This year, Banijay offers a slew of exciting new formats, from “Against All Odds,” a cross-country skiing competition from Meter/Jarowskij for SVT, to “Mission Unknown: Atlantic,” a unique influencer-fueled adventure series from Banijay Productions Germany for Prime Video. Reality enthusiasts can look forward to highly anticipated reboots like “Faking It” and “Ladette to Lady.”

Also set to feature in London are “The Rest of Your Life,” a life-changing reality format for DR1, and the docu-format “AI Love You” from Nordisk Film TV for TV 2. Banijay’s innovation extends to the third-party portfolio as well, with the reality format “My Name Is Gabriel” for JTBC and Disney+, “Atypical Critics,” featuring autistic food critics, and “Game of Wool,” a competitive knitting series for More 4. Recently announced series “The Insider,” the first format to come out of a co-development deal between Endemol Shine Australia and Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), and a reinvention of “Actor Vs Reactors,” both look set to spark excitement in several markets.

The Power of Collaboration

Operating in a post-Peak TV ecosystem, Banijay, like so many other companies around the world, is adapting by embracing collaboration with international partners. As Banijay continues to expand its global footprint, the company remains committed to forging partnerships with key broadcasters, distributors and production companies in established and new/developing markets. This commitment is underscored by its impressive slate for international streaming platforms, with shows like “Celebrity Bear Hunt,” co-produced by Banijay UK’s Workerbee, The Natural Studios and Talkback for Netflix, “Last One Laughing UK” from Zeppotron and Initial for Prime Video, created by Hitoshi Matsumoto and produced by Banijay Entertainment labels in 11 markets; and “Carême,” a Shine Fiction (part of Banijay France) and VVZ Production for Apple TV+ that will be featured at this year’s Series Mania.

Banijay’s London TV Screenings line-up is a testament to the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering top-tier content that resonates with global audiences. From high-octane reality shows to thought-provoking documentaries and gripping dramas, Banijay is not only leading the charge in entertainment—it’s setting the stage for what comes next in the ever-evolving TV landscape.

As the company prepares to take the stage at the Screenings, its executives are champing at the bit to show off what they’ve got to offer. “We are thrilled to showcase our incredible slate and to share these outstanding new projects with our partners,” Payne concluded. “It’s going to be an unforgettable event.”

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