Jan Koeppen, president of The Walt Disney Company Europe, the Middle East and Africa has announced that Disney+ is on track to produce 60 European original series by 2024.
- The target of 60 original series is up from the previous target of 50.
- Koeppen made this announcement during a keynote at Series Mania Lille Dialogues today.
- He also took the time to talk up several series currently in production, including Karl Kaiser, a Star original for Disney Plus which will trace the story of iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.
- Some of the other projects he discussed include Sultan City, Oussekine and Sam – A Saxon.
What they’re saying:
- Jan Koeppen, president of The Walt Disney Company Europe, the Middle East and Africa: “While The Walt Disney Company has a long heritage of producing content in Europe for our channels business, as well as producing some of our big blockbuster movies like Cruella or Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker here – it is the launch of Disney Plus that has allowed us to put an afterburner on our European productions and to create a whole new slate of local originals. We have already announced 16 local original Disney Plus series for Europe, and had previously announced our plan to grow this to 50 European series by 2024 – so we are leaning in. Given the reception we have received by the creative communities across Europe, I’m pleased to report that we are currently on track to exceed 60 originals in that same timeframe.”
- Koeppen, on some of the upcoming series: “We believe that it is important that people see themselves reflected in our stories, whether it’s the lead cast of France’s Oussekine being entirely of North African heritage, or the sharp humor from the super-talented Turkish-German women that wrote Sultan City in Germany. As far as I can see, there has never been a more exciting time to be in European production. The opportunities are boundless, creating a win for the producers and creators and for an industry that is thriving. And if this were not enough, we are also adding a meaningful dimension of cultural diversity on a global scale.”