At a Series Mania keynote address, Angela Jain, Director of Content for Disney+ EMEA, laid out a clear, talent-first roadmap for the streaming giant’s international strategy.
Amidst the global dominance of powerhouses like Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar, Jain emphasized that the true “mission” for Disney+ in the EMEA region is fostering bold, authentic, and localized storytelling.
Local Talent as the “Treasure Trove”
Jain was candid about the pressure of standing alongside global franchises, noting a constant “anxiety” to ensure local productions earn their place in the Disney+ library. For Jain, the solution isn’t a formula, but a commitment to local creators.
“It’s not a science; it’s a bit of a guessing game,” Jain admitted regarding content selection. “We rely heavily on our local teams. Supporting local production is always our priority because we know there is a massive treasure trove of talent with immense growth potential.”
A New “Swing” for Turkish Content: The 350-Year-Old Virgin Vampire
Jain highlighted a significant shift in how Disney+ approaches specific territories, particularly Türkiye. While acknowledging that Turkish premium dramas traditionally “travel really well,” Jain revealed a desire to “take a different swing” by broadening the genre palette.
The standout announcement is a new original comedy series titled Gustav (or The Strange Story of Gustav Maier). The project features Giray Altınok in the lead role, an actor who has become the face of Türkiye’s new wave of comedy.
Altınok achieved massive acclaim with his series The Prince (Prens), where he served as both the lead and the creator. The show’s unique historical parody style proved that Turkish audiences, and international digital platforms, are hungry for high-concept comedy.
Expanding his footprint into unscripted content, Altınok was also recently announced as the host for the Turkish adaptation of the global phenomenon The Traitors. This aligns perfectly with Jain’s goal of ramping up unscripted frequency.
Jain explained Gustav as: “This is a comedy about a 350-year-old virgin vampire who falls in love with a human. It’s an 8-to-10 part series produced by MGX Film. It feels like something entirely different for that territory.”
Genre Focus: Comedy and Young Adults
While Disney+ is known for its sprawling epics, Jain highlighted a specific push toward lighter, punchier content. Disney+ is actively seeking comedy projects targeting the 16–34 demographic, as well as slightly older audiences. Jain noted that a significant part of her role involves contributing to scripts and ensuring the environment remains a sanctuary for creativity rather than an enemy of it.
Regional Spotlights: Italy and Spain
Jain shared specific updates on production priorities across key European markets:
Italy: Currently developing a “whodunnit” police procedural set against the scenic backdrop of an Italian lake.
Spain: Prioritizing projects focused on Young Adult (YA) themes and content specifically catering to female audiences.
The “Future-Gazing” Strategy
Before taking on her current role, Jain led several production companies in the UK, an experience that informs her collaborative approach. She reiterated that while data exists, the heart of the business is “future-gazing” and building a production pipeline that supports a story from the first draft to the final stream.
