Mercedes Ron’s Fault Franchise ‘Nearly Scrapped’ Over Early Doubts, Banijay Exec Says
Pokeepsie Films' Carolina Bang and fellow Banijay creatives also told Iberseries 2026 in Madrid why and how they keep stories authentic, universal – and even "obscure."
Source: The Hollywood Reporter · October 1, 2026 at 9:02 AM · AI-assisted report
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MADRID, 1 OCTOBER 2026 —
Mercedes Ron’s “Fault” franchise, adapted for Prime Video by Banijay’s Spanish label Pokéepsie Films, was described by CEO Carolina Bang as “impossible” to green‑light five years ago, but the series eventually secured Amazon’s backing after a three‑year pitch effort.
Market Impact
Bang’s remarks were made during a panel on Banijay’s scripted strategy at the sixth Iberseries & Platino Industria conference in Madrid on 30 September 2026. The discussion, which also featured Banijay executives from Brazil, Italy and the United Kingdom, focused on how producers can create globally resonant content in a streaming‑driven market.
Banijay’s development director for Brazil, Simone Oliveira, said the key to worldwide appeal is to “be authentic to your country to be universal,” citing the company’s diverse portfolio that includes titles such as Desperate Lives, Double Dad, Airplane Mode and My Life on Mars.
She added that working with varied projects and partners “helps to be more global.” At the same time, Banijay announced that an adaptation of Raphael Montes’ novel Uma Mulher No Escuro (A Woman in the Dark) has been green‑lit for Brazil’s Globoplay, with production led by Banijay’s Brazilian unit A Fábrica in partnership with the author’s studio Casa Montes.
Steve Matthews, head of scripted creative at Banijay Entertainment, warned against formulaic approaches, stating, “If you say you’ll do a commercial show, it won’t be good and it won’t be commercial.” He noted that “trends will change by the time you make what people tell you they want. You better love it before you start,” a comment that drew laughter from the audience.
Bang explained that Pokéepsie’s shift from black comedies and horror to the “House of Ron” young‑adult romance franchise was driven by passion. She said she first encountered Fault through her children and spent three years trying to sell the adaptation, noting that “nobody wanted it at the very beginning – really.” The breakthrough came when Amazon’s acquisition team expressed interest in the type of film Pokéepsie envisioned, a rarity according to Bang.
Maria Grazia Vairo, director of content at Banijay’s Italian producer Groenlandia, reinforced the importance of a commissioner’s belief in a creator’s vision, saying “nothing’s a slam dunk.” She highlighted that streamers prioritize original stories, often drawing on obscure historical figures rather than well‑known icons. Groenlandia’s recent drama Someone Killed Spiderman – Accidentally Famous, based on the 1980s origins of the Italian band 883, has already secured a second season.
The conference also featured Amazon MGM Studios executives discussing the success of the Mercedes Ron adaptations and the Spanish zombie horror film Apocalypse Z, while Parrot Analytics presented subscriber‑impact data for Netflix’s Argentine series The Eternaut. Mediawan executives outlined their strategy around titles such as F1: The Movie, Slow Horses and Call My Agent, and a YouTube senior executive predicted further film hits from online creators.
The panel underscored that, for Banijay and its affiliates, the formula for global hits remains rooted in authentic storytelling, cross‑border collaboration and a willingness to champion projects that initially appear “impossible.”
Related: Banijay · Mercedes Ron · Madrid