Action thriller series, King’s Ransom, is in development from Globalgate Entertainment, Barry Films, Wachafilm, and UK-based Anton. Tony Saint (Apple’s Emmy-winning Tehran, Sky’s Das Boot and Netflix’s Lupin) will write the pilot episode and as showrunner for the series, based on an original idea by Chris Peppe (The Flash, Nikita).
King’s Ransom is billed as a gripping series 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. And the mercenaries holding them hostage might be after much more than money.
“Working with such great partners, I’m so excited to bring King’s Ransom to life. It’s the kind of show I most love to write – a real thrill ride with big stakes, big characters…and big heart,” said Saint.
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, Greenland, The Night House), 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 Sébastien Raybaud.
Globalgate Entertainment added, “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.”
Commented Barry Films, “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.”
Wachafilm commented, “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.”
Lead image: Omar Sy in key art from “Lupin” (Netflix)