Max Boards Two New Original Series in France, Sets Spring Launch in Turkey
Rolling off the streaming debut of its first French original series “The Confidante” and docu “Breaking the Bank,” Max announced two new French shows, and a Spring launch in Turkey during a panel discussion at Content London.
In Turkey, Max will bring together BluTV, a local SVOD service which it acquired last year, with HBO Originals, as well returning seasons of BluTV’s beloved local productions, Türkiye streaming originals, Warner Bros. movies, DC Universe, and true crime and documentaries.
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Max is already present in 74 markets with over 110 million subscribers. The streamer will bow in “three of the biggest European markets coming in 2026,” the company said.
The inaugural slate of the service in Turkey will include “Prince” season 3 and “Magarsus” season 2. It will also include “The First Gokturk,” a fantasy anthology weaving Turkish and nomadic history, created by Alper ?a?lar.
Vera Peltekian, the well-respected VP and head of streaming original production in France, teased the two new series that Max has boarded, “Privileges” and “Paolo.” The executive, who previously worked at Canal+’s Creation Originale, said Max in France was driven by shows that are “contemporary.” “That’s our mark. That’s our tone,” she said.
“Privileges” “follows the journey of a young inmate, Adèle, who lands a day job at a luxurious Paris hotel as part of an early-release deal, willing to endure any humiliation for a fresh start. But when she discovers her criminal past and her disposability are the very reason the Palace hired her, a dangerous game of power and manipulation begins,” reads the synopsis.
The series was created, written and directed by Marie Monge and Vladimir de Fontenay. Monge and de Fontenay previously collaborated on “Vampires.” Hugo Gélin at Zazi Séries is producing the series which will start shooting in January.
“Adèle starts as a groomer and step by step, she gains power over clients,” Peltekian said, adding that “the hotel is like a little society.” “The tone is very ironic. It’s fun,” she said.
“Paolo,” meanwhile, is a Ripley-style psychological thriller created, written and directed by Sébastien Marnier, whose critically acclaimed film credits include “Faultless” and “The The Origin of Evil.”
The series follows an ordinary working-class young man whose life is upended when he encounters the ambitious, and magnetic local politician, Téophane, an old school mate. “What begins as admiration and a desire to help Téophane’s campaign, soon spirals into an all-consuming obsession, leading to a deadly ride,” reads the synopsis. The series is co-written by Juliette Soubrier and produced by Floriane Cortes at Mintee.
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