Lars Blomgren joins US Media Res Group, Christian Wikander replaces him at Banijay

In his new role within the US indie studio founded in 2017 by Michael Ellenberg - former HBO Head of Drama and Scott Free Production exec - Blomgren will serve as executive producer on the group’s upcoming productions, and oversee the company’s international expansion in film and TV drama.

Speaking to nordicfilmandtvnews.com, Blomgren said he is looking forward to his new close collaboration with Ellenberg, whose first scripted content for Media Res was the Hagai Levi adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s classic Scenes from a Marriage, executive produced by Blomgren, among others for HBO.

“Media Res is still a relatively small company, but they have large ambitions, resources and access to top talent,” said Blomgren who will look for premium scripted content outside the US, be it in English or non-English language. He said he would soon announce a major Nordic IP to be developed and financed by Media Res International.

Media Res’ current scripted slate includes Apple TV+’s The Morning Show executive produced by Jennifer Aniston and Rees Witherspoon, as well as the acclaimed Pachinko series, spoken in Korean, Japanese and English. The L.A.-based studio also launched its own non-fiction division in March.

In a statement picked up by Variety (CLICK HERE), Ellenberg said: “Audiences have never been more engaged and excited to explore stories and cultures different from their own. Our goal in launching this new division is to collaborate with international creators, filmmakers and producers on innovative, daring and arresting series for global audiences. Lars’ exceptional taste, experience and perspective make him the ideal person to lead our efforts as we expand in this vital space.”

The Swedish top executive Blomgren is currently Global Head of Scripted for Paris-based super indie group Banijay where he oversees a network of around 50 production banners.

Among Banijay’s crown jewels in the scripted space is Filmlance International, which Blomgren used to run as managing director and where he instigated the making of The Bridge with Denmark’s Nimbus Film.

“I love my work at Banijay, and I will sincerely miss working with my fine colleagues, but my brief is really about handling other people’s passion and their ability to maximise the value of being part of the group. Now with my new role at Media Res, I will go back to creating the projects that I’m personally passionate about. Recently I was on the set of Filmlance’s Ronja the Robber’s Daughter. I absolutely loved it and I felt-this is where I really want to be!" he told nordicfilmandtvnews.com.

Wikander at Banijay
Blomgren will continue to work part-time at Banijay until May 1st, 2023, to enable a smooth transition period, and another Swedish heavyweight will take over his responsibilities at the content powerhouse: Christian Wikander, former HBO Max Nordic Commissioning Editor & VP, Original Programming, and former SVT Head of Drama.

Discussing Wikander’s appointment, Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti said: “Having been a commissioner, managing director and producer, Christian has demonstrated not only his immense creative talent and agility as a leader, but importantly, his natural eye for recognising a story with international potential. With him in place, we feel we have further opportunity to grow our premium scripted offering and heighten Banijay’s reputation as a leader in both local and English-language dramas that connect audiences worldwide.”

Wikander added: “I feel a great sense of pride joining such a well-established, global group like Banijay. A collective of some of the best producers in the business, it is such a well-respected home for local stories that travel the world, and I look forward to collaborating with, and learning from, the brilliantly talented story-makers at the heart of it all. Here’s to 2023, a year of origination, returners and travelling scripted hits.”