CAN’T STOP media, the boutique distributor based in London, announces that public broadcaster ABC has commissioned the Australian adaptation of French hit talk-show format “The A Talks”, to be produced locally by Mark Fennessy’s HELIUM Pictures.
Entitled “The Assembly”, the 6-episode series will feature some of Australia’s most famous personalities, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, to be interviewed by a group of autistic student journalists, mentored by 7.30 – ABC News Leigh Sales, one of Australia’s top interviewers. They will face the grilling of a lifetime as no subject is out of bounds, no question is off the table. In “The Assembly”, anything can happen.
The Australian series is already the 7th international adaptation of the French format created by Quad+TEN and Kiosco.TV and initiated by popular movie directors, Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano (“The Intouchables”).
“The Assembly” is being produced by HELIUM Pictures for the ABC, with production funding from Screen NSW.
The announcement comes a few days after the show’s commission in Ireland by Virgin Media Television and its buzzy launch in the UK as “The Assembly”on BBC One (with actor Michael Sheen as first guest).
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbpmVir5s7E
“The A Talks” has been airing in France since September 2022 on France 2. Now in its second 10-episode season, the show has been renewed for a 3rd season in 2024-25.
It has already been launched with success in 3 countries:
- Denmark on public broadcaster DR1 (produced by Fremantle’s Strong)
- Poland on Warner Bros Discovery’s TVN (produced by Golden Media)
- Spain on Mediaset España’s Telecinco (produced by Banijay’s ShineIberia).
A 6-episode series is currently being produced by Fremantle’s Baluba for SVT 1 in Sweden.
Now in production in another European country to be disclosed soon, “The A Talks” is in advanced development in several major territories including the US, Italy, the Netherlands, Mexico or Canada.
Arnaud Renard, cofounder at CAN’T STOP media, states: “We feel HELIUM and ABC with their long tradition of innovative programmes are the perfect partners to bring “The A Talks” down under. There is no doubt the show will spark further conversations and debate among Australian audience as it celebrates its neurodiverse participants and challenges viewers perceptions in a positive way.”
Julie Hanna, ABC Commissioning Editor, Factual TV, says: “Once in a while a ground-breaking idea comes along that encapsulates the importance of diversity in Australian media. We’re incredibly proud to bring this genuine series to audiences as six extraordinary Australians are interviewed by the autistic student journalists.”
Mark Fennessy, HELIUM Chief Creative Officer, says: “It is a great privilege to acknowledge the value and genuine talent of autistic people – to include diverse voices and hear fresh perspectives in conversations of national interest. “The Assembly” promises to be truly compelling, ground-breaking television.”
