Fremantle Drama CEO Christian Vesper Departs After Decade

Christian Vesper has announced his departure as CEO of global drama and film at Fremantle, concluding a ten-year tenure with the company. Vesper, who previously worked at Sundance TV, was instrumental in Fremantle's strategic expansion into high-end television series and feature films.

Under Vesper's leadership, Fremantle, renowned for its reality formats, transformed into a prominent independent film producer. The company backed notable films such as 'Poor Things' and 'Queer,' alongside series like 'Mussolini: Son of the Century.' Fremantle is also working on the revival of 'Baywatch' for Fox Network.

Fremantle's strategic push into film and drama was part of its parent company RTL's broader objective to achieve annual revenues exceeding $3 billion. However, the division has faced market challenges, including shifts in streamer acquisitions and increased competition, impacting its financial targets. In the first nine months of 2025, Fremantle reported revenues of just over $1.5 billion, a slight decrease from the previous year.

Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO of Continental Europe, will assume Vesper's responsibilities on an interim basis. Scrosati commended Vesper's contributions, highlighting the establishment and success of Fremantle's drama and film business during his leadership. The division has secured numerous creative partnerships with production labels during this period.