Christophe Riandee, the former vice CEO of Gaumont for 20 years, has signed on as an executive producer on “Excellence Park,” an international drama series set within the grounds of the world’s most exclusive butler academy.
Riandée, who was a driving force behind the launch of Gaumont’s TV division and spearheaded a flurry of worldwide hits, including “Narcos,” “Lupin,” “Becoming Karl Lagerfeld” and “Hannibal,” will be joining forces with Unconditional Pictures in the U.K.
Unconditional Pictures’ co-founder and executive producer Dawn McDaniel, whose credits include “Moll Flanders,” “Holby City” and “Mansour,” co-created the format based on an original idea by French writer and actor Mathieu Simonet. With credits such as “Ocean’s Twelve” and “Days Of Glory,” Simonet is the eldest son of Oscar-winning French director Jacques Perrin (“Winged Migration”).
While the plot is under wraps, the series is billed as a contemporary “Downton Abbey” meets “Only Murders In The Building” – set within a stunning location on the Cote D’Azur.”
“Mathieu’s brilliant idea has all the elements audiences crave. This world class I.P. has been a privilege to nurture and develop,” said McDaniel who also praised the involvement of Riandée. “Christophe’s taste, commercial brilliance and integrity is everything we hoped for and a wonderful validation of the material,” McDaniel continued.
Talking about “Excellence Park,” Riandee said, “This premise and vision is made for the screen, added to which the world of international butlers has never been more prominent – the timing is perfect.”
Riandée pointed out that “Dawn and Mathieu have developed a rich, intriguing, original and very compelling world. As soon as I heard the idea ‘a murder mystery set at an International Butler Academy’ I was sold.”
variety.com
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