Luca Bernabei is stepping down as CEO of Lux Vide, the Fremantle-owned Italian production powerhouse behind shows such as “Medici,” “Devils” and medical procedural “Doc,” the U.S. remake of which is produced by Fox and Sony Pictures Television.
Bernabei is parting ways with Fremantle three years after the RTL-owned production and distribution giant acquired a 70% stake in the company founded in 1992 by his father Ettore Bernabei. Fremantle has now completed its planned 100% purchase of Lux Vide that has been increasingly pushing into the U.S. and international markets with high-end premium shows.
Lux Vide currently has two big English-language series – “Hotel Costiera” toplining Jesse Williams, a Prime Video original in several territories, and Italian state broadcaster RAI’s “Sandokan” with Turkish megastar Can Yaman slated for play later this year.
News that Bernabei is stepping down was provided by a Fremantle statement on Friday announcing a new Lux Vide management board. No reason was provided for Luca Bernabei’s departure.
Luca Bernabei’s sister Matilde Bernabei, who co-founded Lux Vide with her father and has been instrumental to the company’s success in past decades, remains on the board in a stronger role than before, having been appointed Lux Vide president. She was previously the company’s honorary president.
The new Lux Vide management board will be made up by Valerio Fiorespino who is interim COO and CEO of Fremantle Italy Group; Elena Bucaccio, head of drama, Lux Vide; Corrado Trionfera, head of production Lux Vide; Manuela Monterossi, who is general counsel of Fremantle Italy Group; Valentina Monaca, who is CFO of Fremantle Italy Group; and Barbara Pavone who is Lux Vide’s chief marketing and sales officer.
“We are happy to present our new management team,” Matilde Bernabei said in the statement.
“They are highly experienced professionals and recognized leaders. I am happy to be able to work with them to take Lux Vide to new heights, also thanks to our solid relationship with Fremantle,” she added.
“Since day one, Fremantle has fully supported the company, the team and the projects,” Matilde Bernabei went on to point out.
“Series such as ‘Hotel Costiera’ and ‘Sandokan’ are proof of this: international productions that we could not have made without their involvement,” she concluded.