HBO Max Units Chilly Conflict Drama ‘Spy/Grasp’ as CEE Manufacturing Winds Down

Manufacturing is underway in Romania and Hungary on the brand new HBO Max Authentic “Spy/Grasp,” a spy drama collection set in the course of the peak of the Chilly Conflict that can star British Impartial Movie Award-nominated actor Alec Secăreanu (“God’s Personal Nation,” “RUXX”).

The 6 x 50’ collection, which was the winner of HBO’s nationwide screenwriting competitors in Romania, marks one of many streaming service’s closing productions from Central and Jap Europe.

As Selection first reported in July, father or mother firm Warner Bros. Discovery will not produce originals for HBO Max within the Nordics (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland), Central Europe, the Netherlands and Turkey, and also will take away some content material from its platform in an effort to liberate licensing offers elsewhere.

An HBO Max spokesperson confirmed to Selection that the streamer nonetheless has a number of CEE productions within the pipeline that have been commissioned earlier than Warner Bros. Discovery introduced the shift in its programming technique for Europe. As with different native HBO Max originals, “Spy/Grasp” might be obtainable for licensing in territories the place the streaming service is but to roll out.

“Spy/Grasp” covers per week within the lifetime of fictional character Victor Godeanu (Secăreanu), the right-hand man and closest advisor to Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. Nonetheless, Godeanu has a secret: He’s additionally a double agent and should escape Romania and Ceaușescu earlier than his cowl is uncovered.

With just one shot at staying alive, he makes use of a diplomatic journey to Germany as a springboard to the States. Helped by an undercover Stasi agent and former flame, performed by “Deutschland89’s” Svenja Jung, and an up-and-coming CIA agent, performed by Parker Sawyers (“Southside With You”), Godeanu should elude the KGB and his personal nation’s spooks (Ana Ularu and Laurențiu Bănescu), absolutely conscious that his defection is placing his household again dwelling in mortal hazard. 

The collection is produced by Proton Cinema and Mobra Movies. HBO Max producer Ioanina Pavel stated in a press release: “We couldn’t be extra excited to inform this story of defection limbo, that spans either side of the Iron Curtain and has drawn distinctive expertise each internationally and from Romania. Though set up to now, we’re hoping this present will ring true to viewers at present — whether or not they’re inquisitive about politics or simply fancy a sensible, smooth, entertaining journey.”

Johnathan Younger, the streamer’s VP of authentic programming and commissioning editor for CEE, added: “‘Spy/Grasp’ represents our most worldwide collection so far. With predominantly English dialogue it is a correct ‘East meets West’ manufacturing from the content material to the expertise to the setting. Whereas the style is acquainted, the personalities and dilemmas are sudden and new. We’ve got a tremendous crew interested in the venture by the way in which the story sheds gentle on a topic that feels as recent at present because it ever has been.”

“Spy/Grasp” is written by Adina Sãdeanu and Kirsten Peters and directed by Christopher Smith (“Temple,” “Alex Rider”), with cinematography by Ben Wheeler BSC (“The Vacationer,” “The Child”) and Ádám Fillenz HCA (“Hier,” “Battle: Freestyle”). Antony Root and Johnathan Younger are government producers for HBO Max. Ioanina Pavel is the artistic producer for HBO Max. Viktória Petrányi and Judit Sós are producers for Proton Cinema and Tudor Reu is the producer for Mobra Movies.