Fremantle has acquired a 25% stake in hit-making international development and production company, FABEL ENTERTAINMENT. Founded by Henrik Bastin, FABEL is best known for the powerhouse “BOSCH” franchise and other genre-bending scripted hits. The new partnership further increases Fremantle’s investment in global creative talent.
Under the new agreement, Prime Video’s acclaimed crime series “BOSCH” has found a new home on IMDb TV with the spin-off “BOSCH: LEGACY.” Based on Michael Connelly’s bestselling books, the original series created and produced by Bastin and team, recently concluded production on the seventh and final season.
Jennifer Mullin, Group CEO, Fremantle, said:
“We are excited about this partnership and welcome Henrik Bastin, Melissa Aouate, and the incredible FABEL team into our creative network. Their unique multi-cultural approach to storytelling is very impressive and one we believe is incredibly relevant today as we confirm our commitment in continuing to invest in some of the world’s best creative talents.”
This is the latest investment for Fremantle following acquisitions over the past year which include acquiring 12 production labels in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark from Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group), scripted Italian production company Lux Vide (Devils, Leonardo), Australian-American television production company Eureka Productions (Parental Guidance, Finding Magic Mike) and UK factual production company Label1 (The Job Interview, Hospital).
Jens Richter, CEO, International at Fremantle, added:
“I am thrilled to be working again with Henrik, Melissa and their talented group of producers who have consistently succeeded with premium scripted series on the global stage. Fremantle and FABEL share a deep-seated passion and ambition for important and diverse storytelling from around the world, and we are honoured that they have chosen us as their partner for the next stage of their exciting adventure.”
Henrik Bastin, CEO of FABEL ENTERTAINMENT, and Melissa Aouate, Partner and President, said: “As an independent production company, we’ve already been able to build an acclaimed slate of content, and with this new partnership with Fremantle, we know we’ll be able to scale new heights, diversifying our premium scripted series even further. Fremantle’s talented team, wide breadth of global content, and beloved series will certainly complement our growing and diverse pipeline of highly compelling and character-driven stories.”
Created to bring commercial premium content to audiences worldwide, FABEL focuses on character-first programming that crosses genres, platforms, and cultures. FABEL will continue the legacy of its former success while expanding its slate into one that further supports diverse genres, first-time creators, original works, IP adaptation and international productions – all in a premium space.
FABEL’s commitment to supporting both established creatives and fresh voices is at the heart of the company and its future slate, which includes a series based on the life and published works of world-famous neurologist, “Oliver Sacks,” as well as Chuck Palahniuk’s “Invisible Monsters”, and the adaptation of horror and fantasy novel “Empire of Wild.”
