Walt Disney streamer Disney+ and Dutch public broadcasting system NPO have unveiled a collaboration that will bring the Dutch adaptation of the unscripted strategy-driven reality series Wolven: het spel van list en bedro to the Netherlands. Internationally, the format is known as Werewolves.
Set in a remote forest village, the show sees a group of strangers known as the Villagers compete to win a prize. Hidden amongst them are the Werewolves, a secret set plotting to eliminate players one by one and steal the prize.
The format is part of Banijay Entertainment’s third-party portfolio. The company handles adaptations across its international production footprint, which includes the U.S., Australia and New Zealand, the U.K., Spain, Portugal, Italy, Nordics, the Netherlands, Israel, Mexico, Brazil and India.
“Marking a new way of working for the public broadcaster, the collaboration will see Wolven air from Aug. 29 on BNNVARA on NPO 1 and stream simultaneously on NPO Start and Disney+, with episodes streaming weekly,” the partners said on Monday. Wolven is produced by Banijay Benelux’s label SimpelZodiak.
Previously, three seasons of the format aired in France, followed by a run for the successful program in Germany. “The Netherlands is the latest market to adapt the hit series, which fits a broader European strategy in which Disney+ works closely with free-to-air broadcasters across Europe, from Atresmedia and RTVE in Spain, to ITVX in the United Kingdom, Rai in Italy, ARD and ZDF in Germany, and SIC in Portugal,” Disney said. “This underscores a shared commitment to championing and supporting local storytelling.”
Said Lucien Brouwer, member of the executive board of NPO: “With this collaboration, we are taking an important step in how we, as a public broadcaster, aim to work with commercial organizations. Disney is a household name, with stories that we have all grown up with. For that reason, we strongly believe in working together to reach even more people in the Netherlands with our content.”
Karl Holmes, general manager of Disney+ EMEA, added: “Wolven promises to be a great show, with lots of intrigue that keeps you guessing. It’s the kind of show you want to watch together, and we’re delighted to be bringing it to Disney+ audiences in the Netherlands. Together with NPO, we can help great local shows find new and younger audiences, while giving our customers more local stories to enjoy.”
And Justine Huffmeijer, managing director at SimpelZodiak, said: “Bringing Wolven to the Netherlands with NPO, and a first-of-its-kind deal with Disney+, is a significant opportunity. This format delivers a tense, immersive viewing experience set to engage Dutch audiences, and producing from the established hub in France allows us to fully realize its cinematic scale.”
Wolven is a format created by Fary and Panayotis Pascot, owned by Jaad Productions and Presque Prod, and originally commissioned by Canal+ in France. The format is presented by Pieter Derks and Soundos El Ahmadi and is represented worldwide by StudioCanal and Dreamspark.
Disney+ has been striking collaborations with public broadcasters across Europe, with Holmes telling an Enders conference in London last week: “We want Disney+ to be the best partner for the wider industry. That means using our exceptional reach and brand strength with younger audiences to deliver real value to the organisations we work with. What we offer free-to-air broadcast partners is the opportunity to extend the reach of their content. They get to bring their stories to our young audience, while Disney+ customers get to discover some of the biggest local stories.”
SimpelZodiak produces a range of premium formats for the local and international market, including long-running adventure reality format Expeditie Robinson (Survivor), Good Luck Guys and Football Island.
