‘Lupin’ Writer Working on Action-Thriller Series ‘King’s Ransom’

Tony Saint, whose credits include writing and executive producing Apple TV+’s Emmy-winning “Tehran,” Sky’s “Das Boot” and Netflix’s “Lupin,” is working on a new action-thriller series, “King’s Ransom.”

The show — based on an original idea by Chris Peppe (“The Flash,” “Nikita”) — is about a hostage taking at the world’s most elite Swiss boarding school — but in this school the students aren’t just privileged, they stem from families that make up the very foundations of global power. According to the synopsis, the mercenaries holding them hostage “might be after much more than money.”

“King’s Ransom” is being developed and produced by Globalgate Entertainment, Barry Films, Wachafilm, and U.K.-based Anton. Saint has been tapped to write the pilot episode and serve as showrunner.

“Working with such great partners, I’m so excited to bring ‘King’s Ransom’ to life,” said Saint. “It’s the kind of show I most love to write – a real thrill ride with big stakes, big characters … and big heart.”

Benito Mueller and Wolfgang Mueller of Barry Films will executive produce along with Clifford Werber, William Pfeiffer and Paul Presburger of Globalgate Entertainment, Manuela Noble and Mark Sandell of Wachafilm, and Sebastien Raybaud (“Fuze,” “Greenland: Migration”), Caroline Kusser and Serena Karp of Anton.

“In partnership with Barry Films and Globalgate Entertainment and with Tony Saint as showrunner, King’s Ransom is a perfect fit for Anton’s mission to deliver high quality, premium entertainment for global audiences, with top notch IP, talent and partners,” said Anton CEO Raybaud.

Last year, Anton secured new financing of more thank $100 million through a group of institutional investors, led by funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, which it said would be pumped into its film and TV output.

“We were immediately captivated by King’s Ransom, its setting, characters and story prospects, all of which have become all the more resonant and intriguing to global citizens and audiences. We’re ecstatic to be partnering with Anton, Barry Films and Wachafilm and guided by Tony Saint’s gifted and indelible writing,” said Globalgate Entertainment.

“The sort of show we love to watch, King’s Ransom delivers everything we look for in a project: ambition, urgency, and unforgettable characters. We’re excited to build this world alongside Tony Saint and our partners at Anton and Globalgate,” added Barry Films.

Commented Wachafilm: “After developing ‘King’s Ransom’ with Chris Peppe, now advancing it with showrunner Tony Saint marks a significant and exciting progression in its evolution. We are elated to be producing the series with Anton, Barry Films and Globalgate Entertainment – all formidable producers whose vision, expertise and creative insight align seamlessly with the ambitious scope of the series.”