Netflix is ramping up investment in local content and has unveiled 10 new European projects. It is planning to release more than 100 TV series and movies from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East this year.

More local content
The global streaming service wants to be associated with more than Hollywood content. At least that seemed to be the message at the annual 'See What’s Next’ conference that was held in Rome.

The company announced that it has more than 100 projects originating in 16 countries and in 16 languages planned for release in 2018. That is almost twice as many as last year.

- “Our belief is that great storytelling transcends borders. When stories from different countries, languages and cultures find a worldwide platform where the only limitation is the creator’s imagination, then unique, yet universal, stories emerge that are embraced by a global audience,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer at Netflix.



Netflix unveiled 10 new European projects including: seven original series - the first Dutch original series (Netherlands), Mortel (France) , The Wave (Germany), Luna Nera (Italy), La Casa de Papel Part 3 (Spain), The English Game (UK), Turn Up Charlie (UK); two documentaries - a French docu-series and The Staircase (French production shot in the US); and one movie - Rimetti a Noi i Nostri Debiti (Italy). 

The company has launched a charm offensive to highlight how it is contributing to the local production environments in the regions where it is operating as the EU and other government agencies are considering implementing quotas for local content production.

10 new European Netflix originals 

 
 
 7 new original series:
Netflix’s first Dutch original series, created by production company Pupkin and
launching in 2019. In the liberal city of Amsterdam, these Dutch students have it all: youth, wealth, sex, power...and the portal to a demonic world from the Dutch Golden Age they opened by accident.

Mortel (France). Netflix’s fifth original series from France tells the story of teenagers bound together by a supernatural force. The series will be created by Frédéric Garcia and produced by Mandarin Television.

The Wave (Germany). Netflix’s third original series from Germany is based on the hit movie THE WAVE and inspired by real events. Produced by Rat Pack in association with Sony Pictures Television Germany.

Luna Nera (Italy). An original genre series about women suspected of witchcraft in 17th century Italy, created by Francesca Manieri, Laura Paolucci and Tiziana Triana, and produced by Fandango.

La Casa de Papel Part 3 (Spain). After the global success of Part 1 and 2 of the Spanish heist sensation, the Professor will develop new heists that will be unveiled in 2019.

The English Game (UK). A six-part drama about the invention of football and how those involved in its creation reached across the class divide to establish the game astheworld'smostpopularsport. Produced by and written by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes.

Turn Up Charlie (UK), a new Netflix original comedy series from the UK starring Idris Elba. The eight-part series is executive produced by Idris Elba and Gary Reich.
 2 new documentary series:
A docu-series based on one of the biggest cold cases in French history, the murder
of Grégory Villemin in 1984. Elodie Polo Ackermann will serve as producer
(Imagissime – Lagardčre Studios) and Gilles Marchand as showrunner.

The Staircase, the compelling story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist accused of killing his wife Kathleen after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home, and the 16-year judicial battle that followed. The brand new episodes of this true crime phenomenon will air alongside the original series. Produced by Matthieu Belghiti and produced and directed by Academy award-winner Jean-Xavier de Lestrade. 
 1 new movie
 Netflix’s first Italian original film Rimetti a Noi i Nostri Debiti (Forgive Us Our Debts) by Antonio Morabito with Claudio Santamaria, Marco Giallini and Jerzy Stuhr. 
 Netflix also announced:
GLOW - Sets global launch date for its second season for Friday, June 29

Maniac - Global first look images released. Starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, and
directed by Cary Fukunaga, Maniac is the story of two strangers who find themselves
caught up in a mind-bending pharmaceutical trial gone awry.

Stranger Things S3 - Jake Busey (Starship Troopers, Contact, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and
From Dusk Till Dawn) and Cary Elwes (Glory, Days of Thunder, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Robin Hood: Men In Tights and The Princess Bride) are joining the cast in Season 3. Cary will play “Mayor Kline” while Jake will play “Bruce.