Streaming platforms are notoriously reticent with ratings data, but by every other tangible measure, Club Illico’s Audrey est revenue (Audrey’s Back) made a splash in 2022.

A 10 x 30-minute dramedy from Quebec-based producer Pixcom, the critically acclaimed French-language show has stacked up numerous awards, including a Rockie from the Banff World Media Festival, the Grand Prix at international TV festival Canneseries and five Prix Gémeaux. It has already been sold to Canal+ in France and RAI in Italy.

Pixcom co-founder and executive producer Nicola Merola says he sensed the series – about a young woman who rebuilds her life after waking up from a 16-year coma – would be special the moment co-creators Guillaume Lambert and Florence Longpré pitched the idea.

“They both have the gift of being able to talk about the little things in life in unexpected ways. When they brought us Audrey, it was such a fresh take on this subject.”

Quebecor-owned streamer Club Illico and international distributor Beta Film felt the same: “Club Illico liked the idea immediately and we went straight into development,” says Merola. “There was still a financing gap, but Beta Film – who we have worked with previously – also felt passionate about the project and came on board quickly.”

Beta Film chief distribution officer Oliver Bachert says the series skillfully blends local sensibilities with universal themes. “There are not many slots for this kind of dramedy – so that makes it more challenging to place than a crime series. But it is so distinctive it stands by itself. Canal+ and RAI acquired Audrey because it has such an authentic voice.”

Audrey est revenue is a limited series and won’t have a second season, so distribution takes on an added commercial importance. Bachert says “we have secured some additional European sales [to be announced], but our primary focus now is to sell to Germany and the U.S. Because the show is French-language, streaming platforms will be our primary targets in the U.S.”

One possible option, after tape sales, is to pursue format deals. Bachert and Merola are open to this – but fiercely protective of the show’s creative provenance. “We have done format deals before,” says Merola, “but my view is there is only any point if the remake is at least as good as the original. And it would be hard to adapt Audrey with the same finesse.”

Co-writer Longpré plays the central character in the series, directed by Guillaume Lonergan and produced by Marie-Ève Pelletier.

Having made its mark with French-language series, Pixcom is now producing in English. Crime series Wong & Winchester is poised to air on Citytv, and half of the company’s development slate is English. Pixcom has also been selected for the Berlinale Co-Pro series 2023 with ZDF Studios for drama series Earthbound.

Merola says: “We have a passion to tell stories, and some work better in English. English also connects us with new talent – so we want to keep developing in this direction with Canadian networks and international partners.”

This story originally appeared in Playback’s Winter 2022 issue

Photo courtesy of Pixcom