Keshet Studios, the US scripted division of Keshet International (KI), has secured the rights to develop a remake of the acclaimed French thriller Vortex for both the US and global television markets. The series, originally conceived by Franck Thilliez, follows the story of a police captain who uncovers a unique phenomenon within a VR crime scene: the ability to communicate with his deceased lover just before her untimely demise in 1998. Driven by a desire to change her fate and prevent her murder, Ludovic embarks on a perilous journey, risking his newfound family and confronting the implications of altering destiny.
Initially produced by Quad Drama in collaboration with France Télévisions, the first season of Vortex enjoyed widespread success upon its premiere on France 2, captivating over 4 million viewers with an impressive audience share of 18.7%. Led by co-creators Camille Couasse and Sarah Farkas, and helmed by director Slimane-Baptiste Berhoun, the series features a stellar cast including Tomer Sisley, Camille Claris, Zineb Triki, and Eric Pucheu. Following its domestic triumph, Vortex found further acclaim with its debut on Netflix.
Keshet Studios' acquisition of the remake rights signals their intent to develop and produce an English-language adaptation, a deal facilitated through negotiations with Michelle Palant, International Sales Manager at France tv distribution. Excited about the prospect, Julia Schulte and Michelle Palant express their confidence in the series' potential success, drawing parallels to other French-to-English adaptations like Call My Agent and Bright Minds.
Heather Brewster, Keshet Studios' SVP of Scripted Content, underscores the unique appeal of Vortex and its suitability for the studio's expanding portfolio of international formats. With a proven track record of successful productions such as When Heroes Fly and The Baker and the Beauty, Keshet Studios is poised to leverage its partnership with France tv distribution to further enhance its English-language remake pipeline.
Benefitting from KI's extensive catalog, Keshet Studios specializes in developing, packaging, and producing scripted content for both domestic and global audiences. Their diverse slate of projects includes limited series, returning favorites, short-form dramas, and feature-length films. Notable recent productions include A Small Light, Echo 3, La Brea, and The Calling, among others.
Looking ahead, Keshet Studios has several projects in development, including a television adaptation of Katelyn Monroe Howes' The Awoken and the politically charged thriller Tatami. Represented by WME and Range Management, Keshet Studios continues to solidify its position as a leading force in the entertainment industry.