MIPCOM Opens With Baywatch Reboot, Russell Brand Trial

MIPCOM's latest edition opened with Fox and Fremantle's Baywatch reboot as its dominant title, with stars Stephen Amell and Brooks Nader on hand, according to deadline.com. Banijay and Skydance attended the market as newly formed entities for the first time, represented by executives including Jeff Zucker, Marco Bassetti and Jane Turton for Banijay, and David Decker and David Ellison for Skydance.

In London, Russell Brand's trial began on Monday at Southwark Crown Court, where he faces three counts of rape, three charges of sexual assault and one of indecent assault involving six women. The prosecution described his appetite for sexual contact as “indiscriminate and voracious.” Brand has denied all allegations and is expected to defend himself in a few weeks. The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks.

Also spotlighted at the market was the Indian streaming show Hunkkaar, executive produced by Priyanka Chopra, which was presented as a Global Breakout. The event also featured projects including an Unbeaten biopic involving Ralph Fiennes and Tessa Ross, and Feathering the Wind, directed by Alexander Witt.

At Netflix, content chief Bela Bajaria has been replaced by Peter Rice, a change that was noted alongside other executive movements at the market. Ben Frow is leaving the Skydance UK network 5.