Amazon Prime Video has announced that it has commissioned 20 further returning and new international scripted and non-scripted series, saying that the global video streaming service "knows that customers want tos ee authentic stories set in their own countries".
Amazon's new slate that will be produced around the world, include series in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, India, Japan and Mexico as the global video streaming ramps up production while it competes with rivals like Netflix.
Amazon Prime Video is currently available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, including South Africa, where it competes with the likes of streaming services like Netflix South Africa, MultiChoice's Showmax, Acorn TV, TV2GO and others.
"We're delighted to announce the commissioning of more than 20 new and returning series, to be produced in 7 countries across three continents around the world," says Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, in a statement.
"We know that customers watching Prime Video everywhere want to see authentic stories, set in their own countries, and to invest in characters that can reflect their own experiences and diversity. We're excited and committed to amplifying the voices of storytellers from all over the world and to bring their visions to life for our viewers worldwide."
James Farrell, head of international originals at Amazon Studios, says "We know our worldwide audience is thirsty for local shows from the best local voices, and we've already seen a great customer reaction from Prime Original international series such as the UK's The Grand Tour and All or Nothing: Manchester City, Germany's You Are Wanted, India's Breathe and Mirzapur, Mexico's Un extraño enemigo and LOL: Last One Laughing and Japan's Hitoshi Matsumoto Presents Documental".
"As well as delighting local audiences, we're excited to showcase the work of these talented local writers, directors, producers and actors to be enjoyed by an international audience of more than 100 million Prime members worldwide."
New Amazon Prime Original series include:
The Power (United Kingdom)
A contemporary global 1o-episode thriller written and created by British author Naomi Alderman, and based on Alderman’s international best-selling and award winning novel.
The Power will be produced by Sister Pictures and is executive produced by Jane Featherstone. It will be shot on-location around the world and will launch worldwide.
La Templanza (Spain)
The new Spanish Prime Original drama La Templanza is a dramatic love story set in the 1860's spanning Mexico, Cuba, London and Spain.
The series is based on the eponymous bestselling novel by María Dueñas produced by Atresmedia Studios. La Templanza will go into production in 2019 and launch worldwide.
El Cid (Spain)
Created and produced by Zebra Producciones and written by Luis Arranz and Adolfo Martinez, the new Spanish Prime Original series, El Cid, retells from a contemporary perspective the story of the most famous Spaniard in history, a man trapped between two worlds and two cultures.
A nobleman, a hero, a mercenary, a vassal, but also a man who could have been king. El Cid was centuries ahead of his time and became transcended by his own legend. Production will start in 2019 and it will launch worldwide.
Untitled drama series (Italy)
Written by Italian writers Nicola Guaglianone and Menotti, the first ever Italian Prime Original drama series is a crime drama set in Milan in the late eighties which tells the story of a shy, insecure teenager who becomes the youngest member of the mafia, not for money, ambition or the desire of power, but to win the love of her father.
Produced by Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani's Wildside for Amazon Studios, the show will begin filming in 2019 and launch worldwide.
Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo (Germany)
A new German Prime Original series, Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo, is based on the controversial 1978 autobiographical book of the same name [We Children of Bahnhof Zoo].
Adapted for television under head writer Annette Hess, this new series tells the story of Christiane F. and her dysfunctional friends, who as teenagers descend into the gritty drug scene of 1970’s West-Berlin.
Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo is a modern re-telling of a shocking but compelling story. The series will go into production in 2019 and will only be released in Germany.
Bandish Bandits (India)
A new Indian Prime Original, Bandish Bandits is a romantic musical created by Still and Still Media Collective.
Directed by Anand Tiwari and written by Amritpal Singh Bindra, Bandish Bandits is a young, dynamic love story between Radhe, a skilled Indian classical singer shackled by centuries of tradition and Tamanna, a free-spirited pop star who makes up for her mediocre talent with her skills as a seasoned performer. It will launch in 2019 worldwide..
The Last Hour (India)
Created and directed by Amit Kumar with Oscar-winning director Asif Kapadia as executive producer, The Last Hour is a crime thriller with a supernatural twist set in a small picturesque hill station in the Himalayas.
The Last Hour will go into production in January 2019 and will launch worldwide.
Untitled drama thriller series (India)
Created by Sudip Sharma and produced by Clean Slate Films, this new series is an investigative thriller that also acts as a scathing commentary of modern day Indian society and politics.
The series will go into production in February 2019 and launch worldwide.
Untitled drama series (India)
This youth-focused political drama from writer/producer/director Ali Abbas Zafar explores the dark corners of Indian politics.
Where powerful politicians, and those who aspire to be, sow chaos and manipulate others to control the country, ruthless pragmatism contrasts with the frustrations and aspirations of contemporary India and the ideals of the country’s youth. The series will go into production in March 2019 and launch worldwide.
Untitled Reality series (India)
Produced by OML, the reality series is a comedy talk-show hybrid where celebrities try their hand at stand-up comedy for the first time. The show is created and hosted by comedian Sapan Verma. India only.
Comicstaan (Tamil) (India)
A reality show looking for the next big Tamil stand-up comedian. India only.
El Presidente (Mexico)
Produced by director Pablo Larrain's production company Fabula, a true-crime series inspired by the real-life characters and events behind the 2015 “FIFA Gate” corruption scandal. The series explores the scandal from the angle of a small‐time Chilean football club president who rises from obscurity to become a key player in a multi-million dollar bribery conspiracy. El Presidente will go into production in 2020 and launch worldwide.
Untitled sci-fi/horror comedy (Mexico)
This new series takes viewers through a rollercoaster horror story with high doses of suspense and dark humour throughout an apocalyptic battle of epic proportions.
With production set for 2019 from Dynamo and Red Creek Productions it will launch worldwide.
El Juego de las Llaves (Mexico)
A comedy about long-term monogamy, self-realization and desire, set in modern-day Mexico City. The series follows four long-lasting couples who are friends that one day decides to swing. In the comedic aftermath, each character must face the impact of the decision they've made on their relationship and personal outlook on sexuality. Will launch worldwide.
Untitled Political Thriller series (Mexico)
Mexico City plays the backdrop to an intense and intertwining story comprised of politicians, assassins, government spies and drug cartels all clashing in a struggle to seize control of the leadership of both Mexico’s government and its underworld. The series is currently in production and will launch in 2019 worldwide.
Como Sobrevivir Soltero (Mexico)
A one-hour dramedy series is a fictionalized take on the life of Mexican actor Sebastian Zurita and a group of his millennial friends who are all unlucky in love. Rich with dramatic comedy, this Spanish language series set in Mexico City explores the highs and lows of what it's like to be single and searching for love in a macho Mexican culture that is rapidly evolving. The series enters the world of Sebastian, an actor whose life seems perfect until one day he discovers his fiancé is cheating on him.
Will begin production in 2019 and launch worldwide.
Untitled Social Issue series (Japan)
A new social issue documentary series for Japan only.
A new social issue documentary series for Japan only.
The Bachelorette (Japan)
A local version of the American reality dating competition for Japan only.
Mirzapur Season Two (India)
This drama series tells the journey of two brothers lured by the idea of power only to be consumed by it. Mirzapur is an amped-up portrayal of India’s heartland and youth - a world replete with drugs, guns, and lawlessness, where caste, power, egos and tempers intersect and violence is the only way of life. The show will go into production in 2019 and launch worldwide.
Hitoshi Matsumoto presents Documental Season Seven (Japan)
Variety game show for Japan only. 10 people enter a room and anyone who laughs gets evicted.
LOL: Last One Laughing Season Two (Mexico)
A version of the variety game show for Mexico only.
Diablo Guardian Season Two (Mexico)
Adapted from Xavier Velasco’s award-winning novel of the same name, Diablo Guardian will return for season two, following the troubling story of Violetta, an adolescent from Mexico who is frustrated with her life and in a moment of desperation steals $100 000 from her parents and crosses the border to reach New York City, where she has fantasized about starting a new life.
Instead of a living a dream, Violetta is awoken to a harsh reality when she runs out of money, sending her into the arms of the villainous Nefastófeles. The second season will launch worldwide in 2020.
The Grand Tour Season Four (United Kingdom)
The lifestyle magazine car show's fourth season will see Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May ditch the tent and take on big adventure road trips.
