Leonine’s Nina Etspüler Joining BBC Studios
Formats industry veteran Nina Etspüler is joining BBC Studios Germany to launch a dedicated comedy and reality genre label. As on January 1, 2026, the Leonine exec will lead the unit as producer and exec producer and aim to make scripted and entertainment programs for the German TV and streaming markets. Etspüler will work closely with the BBCS Germany team in Cologne to adapt BBC formats for the local market and develop original IP. Her hire comes after BBCS Germany remade comedy hit Ghosts for local pubcaster WDR and streamer ARD Mediathek. Etspüler has worked for Red Arrow Studios, Florida TV and ProSiebenSat.1 during a career in formats. The former Group Creative Director at Red Arrow was most recently at Mediawan-owned Leonine Studios, where we revealed back in 2020 she had been hired as Head of Entertainment Development. “My time at Leonine Studios was exciting and formative,” said Etspüler. “I’m proud to have built Madame Zheng Production into an established player in the fields of reality, factual entertainment, and reportage, together with my co-managing director Tina Wagner and a fantastic team. At I&U TV, we were able to produce great comedy formats such as the Grimme Award-winning The Teddy Teclebrhan Show, Heinz Strunk’s Last Exit Schinkenstraße and currently Sträter’s Problem Zones. Now I’m looking forward to a role with a more international focus at BBC Studios Germany.” Phil Schmid, Managing Director at BBCS Germany called Etspüler “one of the most respected and creative leaders in our industry,” adding: “This is a perfect strategic fit for our ambitions in Germany and an equally strong match on a personal level. With Nina joining in January 2026, alongside our fantastic Entertainment team led by Markus Templin and our growing Fiction division under Eva Holtmann, we look forward with confidence and excitement to the next chapter of BBC Studios Germany’s growth.”
Prime Video Release ‘Top End Bub‘ Trailer
Here’s the trailer for Australian Prime Video original series Top End Bub. The show, a follow up to 2019 local box office hit Top End Wedding, will launch on Amazon’s streaming service in Australia and New Zealand on September 12, with Miranda Tapsell and Gwilym Lee reprising their lead roles as Lauren and Ned, respectively. The trailer sees the couple living their best life in the city until Lauren receives a heartbreaking call telling her that her sister Ronelle has died. Rushing back to Darwin, they become guardians to Ronelle’s daughter, Taya, aka Bub, played by a debuting Gladys-May Kelly. Ursula Yovich, Huw Higginson, Shari Sebbens, Elaine Crombie, Rob Collins and Tracy Mann return from the film, alongside new cast members Brooke Satchwell, Guy Simon and Clarence Ryan. Goalpost Pictures is producing, with ZDF Studios handling international distribution. No U.S. home for this one just yet.
James Durie Exits Cineflix Rights
James Durie has left his post as Head of Drama at distributor Cineflix Rights. According to a statement from the transatlantic company, he exited at the end of July “pursue new opportunities”, as Cineflix pivots to a new strategy “strategy in response to shifting global demand.” Durie spent five years at Cineflix, having joined from Miramax. During that time, he played a key role in the international financing of shows such as Leonard Cohen drama So Long, Marianne His previous roles include stints at sports marketing agency Pitch International and IMG Media. According to Cineflix, he will continue to work with “high-end scripted producers and financiers in the wider market.” Broadcast International was first with the news of Durie’s exit.