MUMBAI: The inaugural Prime Video Presents: Trailblazers took place in London, an event celebrating the women of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. Hosted by Amazon MGM Studios Jennifer Salke, head Jennifer Salke and Prime Video International VP Kelly Day, the showcase featured guest appearances from actors Priyanka-Chopra Jonas, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, directors Charlotte Brändström and Louise Hooper, and producers Amy Pascal, Sue Vertue and Lindsey Weber, at Queen Elizabeth Hall at London’s South Bank Centre.
“Women are at the core of our business – from our incredible actors, our inventive producers and our executive teams. We also know that women around the world love to be moved by incredible storytelling and we look forward to bringing them all a compelling slate featuring some of the most talented women working both in front and behind the camera. We’ve had a mission to be a destination for women all around the world, and we’re starting to see progress with that,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios.
“As we look to grow Prime Video internationally, women will be central to driving that success. From the millions of viewers globally, to the women running the Prime Video and Studios teams in Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the US, to the women starring in and delivering our biggest shows and movies, Prime Video is being shaped by trailblazing women. We’ve expanded the storytelling so much for women, and it’s brought so many new customers to the service and ignited a lot of passion for our female viewers,” said Day.
Creative talent from in front of and behind the cameras joined Salke and Day for the event, in front of an audience of industry guests, as well as Prime Video female executives including heads of Amazon MGM Studios across the world and leaders of Prime Video nationally and pan-regionally. Anchored by broadcaster Clara Amfo, the event explored themes such as building global franchises, appealing to a younger generation and the rise of action heroines, in discussion with the stars of Prime Video’s series and movies, including star of ‘Citadel’ and upcoming movie ‘Heads of State’ Priyanka Chopra Jonas, actor Octavia Spencer, the cast and directors of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’, and star of ‘Deep Cover’, Bryce Dallas Howard.
The event also previewed forthcoming international series and movies including Italy’s ‘Citadel: Diana’, starring Matilda De Angelis; the UK’s ‘The Devil’s Hour’ Season 2 with Jessica Raine, Spain’s highly anticipated Culpa Tuya, starring Nicole Wallace; and the upcoming British adaptation My Fault: London, starring Asha Banks; as well as the all-female cast and creative team of ‘La Virgen Roja’, based on the story of Hildegart Rodríguez; The Office Australia, starring Felicity Ward and ‘Pimpinero: Blood and Oil’, starring Laura Osma.
As part of an on-stage fireside chat, Spencer said, “For me, there weren’t a lot of female executives. So, to see how vastly different the industry is, how many opportunities are made available to us, I think it’s imperative that we come into the industry with as much in our arsenal as we can give.”
Commenting on the upcoming Australian Original adaption of ‘The Office’, Felicity Ward told Clara Amfo “Ricky Gervais approved a female lead. He was very excited about a female lead” and on the importance of female commissioners, Laura Osma (Pimpinero: Blood and Oil) said “so many stories have been hidden for so long but now we can delve into them”.
During a fireside conversation with Jennifer Salke, on what the industry is getting right, Priyanka Chopra Jonas said, “I was wanting to get out of the box and here with Amazon is where I got that, it takes huge courage to back local stories”
The following announcements and reveals were made at Prime Video Presents: Trailblazers.
· Greenlight: Prime Video announced the expansion of the Reacher universe with a series order for spinoff The Untitled Neagley Project starring Maria Sten (Reacher, Swamp Thing). The series is created for television by co-showrunners and executive producers Nick Santora (Reacher, Prison Break, FUBAR) and Nicholas Wootton (Law & Order, Prison Break) and produced by Amazon MGM Studios, Skydance Television, and CBS Studios. The Untitled Neagley Project is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Frances Neagley is a private investigator in Chicago. When she learns that a beloved friend from her past has been killed in a suspicious accident, she becomes hell bent on justice. Using everything she’s learned from Jack Reacher and her time as a member of the 110 Special Investigators, Neagley puts herself on a dangerous path to uncover a menacing evil.
· First-look clip: Citadel: Diana – An exclusive clip of the highly anticipated Italian series borne from the world of Citadel, executive produced by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO. Citadel: Diana stars Matilda De Angelis (The Undoing) as the central character. The clip sees Diana hunting her opponent in a high-octane action sequence set against the Cretto di Gibellina in Sicily, a stunning gigantic land artwork by Alberto Burri. De Angelis shot spectacular action sequences across the series, performing most of her stunts herself, following strength training, martial arts and intense choreography from acclaimed stunt coordinator, Emiliano Novelli. The series features approximately 850 stunts. Citadel: Diana will launch exclusively on Prime Video globally on 10th October.
· First look images from new UK Original movie My Fault: London, launching in 2025. Following the global success of Spanish Original Movie Culpa Mia (My Fault) and based on the first book of Mercedes Ron’s bestselling Culpables trilogy, My Fault: London adapts the story of Nick and Noah and stars rising British talent Asha Banks (The Magic Flute) who was in attendance and Matthew Broome (The Buccaneers).
· Trailer: Jessica Raine (Patrick Melrose, Informer) introduced the official trailer for the second season of UK Original psychological thriller, ‘The Devil’s Hour’. The second season will launch exclusively on Prime Video globally on 18th October. The series also stars Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who, The Thick of It), Nikesh Patel (Starstruck), Phil Dunster (Ted Lasso) with Saffron Hocking (Top Boy) joining the cast for Season 2.
· Skills: Prime Video Pathway, the £10 million skills and training programme designed to open up access to careers in TV and film production in the UK, which launched in 2022, has seen 64% of all places available go to women, including 64% women on the National Film and Television School Craft Academy. It focusses on training in traditionally male-dominated departments such as Sound, Camera and Lighting.
