Production giant Banijay has confirmed the appointment of Christian Wikander as its new global head of scripted.
Wikander joins from HBO Max Nordic where he was commissioning editor and VP of original programming from 2020 until this summer. He left his role after HBO Max halted the development of originals in key parts of Europe amid cost cutting by parent Warner Bros. Discovery. Wikander will join Banijay on 1 May 2023.
Wikander replaces Lars Blomgren, who is returning to his roots as a producer following his recent executive producer role on Scenes From A Marriage.
Blomgren is moving to LA to join Michael Ellenberg’s Media Res, the production company behind Scenes From A Marriage and The Morning Show. Blomgren will oversee Media Res International, the company’s new international division, which will develop premium TV series from a range of genres.
Wikander’s brief is to lead strategic IP creation, drive collaboration across Banijay’s portfolio of more than 50 drama labels, exploit format potential, and identify lucrative third-party acquisition opportunities.
At HBO Max Nordic, Wikander was responsible for developing original scripted series, partnering with creators, producers, and key talent, both locally and internationally.
Before this he was managing director for London-based Twelve Town, having joined in 2016 as head of drama for Europe.
Wikander has also held head of drama roles at SVT in Stockholm and Gothenburg, having built up his production credentials across a number of companies in the Scandinavian market.
In his new post at Banijay, he will report to CEO, Marco Bassetti.
Bassetti said: “Having been a commissioner, managing director and producer, Christian has demonstrated not only his immense creative talent and agility as a leader, but importantly, his natural eye for recognising a story with international potential.”
Recent Banijay scripted series include SAS: Rogue Heroes, produced by Kudos for BBC One; Marie Antoinette from Banijay Studios France, CAPA Drama, Les Gens France for Canal+ and BBC Two; and Domina, via Tiger Aspect for Sky Atlantic.
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