Press Archives
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How Does the ‘Like a Dragon’ TV Show Compare to the Game?
Rolling Stone | October 24, 2024‘The Tourist’s’ Ólafur Darri, ‘See’s’ Hera Hilmar to Star in ‘Reykjavik Fusion,’ from ACT 4, Wild Sheep Content, Arte (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | August 05, 2024Internationally celebrated Icelandic actors Ólafur Darri Ólafsson and Hera Hilmar are set to star in “Reykjavik Fusion,” an Iceland-set crime thriller series that is rapidly racking up pre-sales in multiple territories.
Kaku Kento Joins Takeuchi Ryoma to Unveil ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza’ Trailer at Comic-Con
Variety | July 29, 2024Leading Japanese star Kaku Kento confirmed his starring role in ‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza,” Amazon MGM Studios’ live-action adaptation of the hit Sega video game. Kaku joined co-lead Takeuchi Ryoma at the San Diego Comic-Con for a reveal of the upcoming series’ teaser trailer.
‘Like a Dragon: Yakuza’ Live-Action Series Adaptation of Hit Sega Game Heading to Prime Video (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | June 3, 2024Streaming giant Prime Video will release “Like a Dragon,” a live-action series adaptation of the SEGA game franchise “Yakuza Like a Dragon.”
BBC acquires Swedish psychological thrillers End of Summer and Jana – Marked for Life
BBC | April 18, 2024End of Summer is based on former police officer Anders de la Motte’s bestselling Swedish novel and Jana – Marked for Life is based on the bestselling novel by Emelie Schepp.
Arte Boards Icelandic Crime Series ‘Reykjavik Fusion;’ Erik Barmack’s Wild Sheep Content to Distribute Internationally (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | March 21, 2024Arte has boarded “Reykjavik Fusion,” the first series produced by ACT4, an Icelandic banner launched by award-winning industry veterans. The high-concept show will be distributed internationally by Wild Sheep Content, led by Erik Barmack, a former Netflix head of international.
Prime Video Nordics Buys Nine Viaplay Originals That Were Previously Set For Rival Service
Deadline | February 8, 2024Prime Video Nordics has swooped to acquire nine scripted originals from Viaplay. The titles, including "Jana – Marked for Life," will now launch on Prime Video following the agreement, which Martin Backlund, Managing Director of Prime Video Nordics, called a “landmark deal.”
Erik Barmack: "Something has to change" so that co-productions in Latam "are not so difficult"
Cveintiuno | January 23, 2024CONTENT AMERICAS: Erik Barmack, the former Netflix executive and current CEO of Wild Sheep Content, called on buyers, producers and distributors in Latin America to embrace "the tradition of sharing" that exists in European markets to facilitate international co-productions.
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Erik Barmack’s Wild Sheep Sets Mexican Rom-Com ‘Butterflies,’ an Adal Romanes Unscripted and Lucia Puenzo’s Gangster Epic (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | November 13, 2023L.A.-based Wild Sheep Content, headed by former Netflix international honcho Erik Barmack, is adapting German No.1 bestseller “When Butterflies Fly Loops” for Mexico, as it branches out into unscripted with Adal Ramones, Mexico’s No.1 standup, and boards Lucía Puenzo’s gangster epic, “The Gunwoman (Pepita’s Legend).”
Erik Barmack of Wild Sheep: The content produced in Spanish will soon surpass the English content
Produ | October 3, 2023Wild Sheep founder Erik Barmack spoke at the Iberseries & Platino Industria in Madrid and encouraged Latin American producers to “Think big. Don't let your ambition be limited by market restrictions, because it's something that's going to change."
Netflix Mexico Reveals Upcoming Slate (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | August 15, 2023Netflix is toasting Mexico’s National Day of Cinema on Aug. 15 with a slew of projects, including “Invitación a un asesinato” (“A Deadly Invitation”), a murder mystery launching in September, based on the bestselling novel by Carmen Posadas.
“Shelter”: See Trailer for New Series Based on Harlan Coben’s Novel
Today | July 12, 2023A new trailer is out for the Prime Video series “Shelter” that’s used on Harlan Coben’s bestselling novel. It starts streaming on Aug 18.
Popstar Belinda to Headline ‘The Red Diamond,’ From Erik Barmack’s Wild Sheep Content (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | May 22, 2023Belinda, one of Mexico’s biggest popstars and a star of Netflix hit “Welcome to Eden,” is attached to headline “The Red Diamond,” the latest project from Erik Barmack’s L.A. and Mexico City-based Wild Sheep Content.
Production House Wild Sheep Hunts Global IP
The Deal | May 5, 2023L.A. company Wild Sheep Content is gearing up for production in Japan on a show called “Yakuza” based on a Sega Corp. video game set in the Japanese underworld. The game has international appeal, selling 7 million copies in Japan and another 7 million outside the country, and reflects Wild Sheep founder Erik Barmack's desire to find local content that speaks to global audiences.
‘Harlan Coben’s Shelter’ To World Premiere
Deadline | May 4, 2023It was announced today that Harlan Coben’s Shelter, a Prime Video Original series, will world premiere at the fest, with the first episode to be screened in the Salle Des Princes theatre.
Legendary Entertainment Secures Rights to ‘Golden Cage,’ Aiming to Immediately Cast Camilla Läckberg’s Psychological Thriller Novel
Variety | April 20, 2023Legendary Entertainment has secured the rights to “The Golden Cage,” a psychological thriller novel by the award-winning Swedish author Camilla Läckberg. The studio anticipates adapting the story about a wife scorned and her plot for revenge into a television series and is currently working on casting for the show.
Peacock Develops Adaptation of ‘La Reina del Flow’
Cveintiuno | March 30, 2023The streaming platform Peacock, from NBCUniversal, is developing an adaptation of the Colombian soap opera 'La reina del flow' from Caracol Televisión. The US version is being written by Jorge Reyes and will be produced by Westbrook Studios and Universal Television, with executive production participation from Tucker Tooley Entertainment, Major Content, Wild Sheep Content and Caracol Televisión.
Becky G In Talks To Headline ‘Queen Of Flow’ Drama Based On Telenovela In Works At Peacock From Jorge Reyes & Westbrook
Deadline | March 29, 2023Peacock is developing drama series Queen of Flow, a premium adaptation of Caracol Television’s Colombian telenovela, La Reina Del Flow. Jorge Reyes is attached to pen the script for the project, from Westbrook Studios and Universal Television. Singer and actress Becky G (Good Mourning, Power Rangers) is in early negotiations to lead the series.
Wild Sheep Commitment: Latino Content is on Par with the Best in the World
Cveintiuno | March 23, 2023Finding unique voices, creatively accompanying their stories, promoting them as commercially attractive projects and connecting them with the world: this is the summary of the strategy of Wild Sheep Content, a production company founded in 2019 by the former Netflix Erik Barmack and which looks very seriously at Latin America with the recent opening of a local division.
Erik Barmack Sets Up Wild Sheep Latin America, Launches New Film Fund with Paulina Goto Rom-Com from J.M. Cravioto (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | March 10, 2023Driving ever more into Latin America, Wild Sheep Content, the L.A.-based label of former Netflix head of international original series Erik Barmack, has launched the Mexico City-based Wild Sheep Latin America as well as a dedicated film completion finance-distribution fund targeting five-to-eight investments a year in the region.
Wild Sheep, produced by Erik Barmack, hires Jimena Rodríguez to focus on Latam
Cveintiuno | March 2, 2023In her new role, the experienced Mexico City-based production company will lead the strategy, development and production of Wild Sheep's projects in Latin America.
Netflix premiered 'Chromosome 21', a series starring actors with Down syndrome
Cronica | February 9, 2023Cromosoma 21 is a new Chilean series that premiered this past Wednesday on Netflix, and focuses on a young man with Down Syndrome who was found at the scene of a crime.
Successful series "Chromosome 21" aired on Channel 13 premieres on Netflix
Canal 13 | February 8, 2023This week, several international media sites highlighted the arrival of the successful series on Netflix.
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Viaplay Behind ‘Jana – Marked For Life’ Adaptation Of Emelie Schepp Novel From Felix Herngren, Henrik Björn & Erik Barmack
Deadline | November 21, 2022Felix Herngren, director and writer of Oscar-nominated The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, is creating and directing a Viaplay adaptation of Emelie Schepp’s novel Jana – Marked for Life, with Erik Barmack exec producing amongst others.
Erik Barmack, Jimena Rodríguez Set ‘Pequeñas Indiscreciones,’ ‘El Susurro del Angel’ (EXLCUSIVE)
Variety | November 11, 2022Erik Barmack, the former senior Netflix exec, and Mexico-based producer Jimena Rodríguez have added two new Spanish crime novels – “El Susurro del Angel” and “Pequeñas Infamias” – to their burgeoning line in star-studded, character-driven crime thrillers begun by Netflix Mexico original “Invitation to Murder.”
'Chromosoma 21', the Chilean suspense series starring actors with Down syndrome
Euronews | November 4, 2022"In this series… [characters with Down Syndrome] are treated as adults, as people, with their lights and shadows, and that I think is the way in which as a society we should share, we should living with people with Down syndrome and with people with cognitive functional diversity". The series, which was recently premiered on Channel 13, has opened a social reflection on the autonomy and potential of people with Down Syndrome.
Erik Barmack: "Non-English content will represent 75% of the most watched shows within 10 years"
Cveintuino | October 27, 2022Those who gathered earlier this month in Rome at MIA Market, a co-production and networking event, took home an optimistic view of the future of non-English language content from former Netflix Head of International Originals Erik Barmack. At the 'Global Production Landscape – Time to Stop Saying Foreign-Language' panel, Barmack, now at the helm of his production company Wild Sheep Content, predicted that non-English content will account for 75% of the most-watched shows within 10 years.
Cromosoma 21: The Premiere of the New Police Series on Canal 13 Widely Praised on Social Media
El Dinamo | October 15, 2022Wild Sheep Content produced police series "Cromosoma 21", had a successful debut night on Chile's Canal 13. The production, starring Sebastián Solorza and Gastón Salgado, tells the story of a young man with Down Syndrome, who is accused and investigated for a murder. The series quickly captivated Chilean viewers and positioned it as a Trending Topic on Twitter
Netflix Touts New Pics from Mexico’s Rodrigo Prieto, Fernando Frias, Ernesto Contreras (EXLCUSIVE)
Variety | August 11, 2022Netflix has reaffirmed its $300 million commitment to Mexican cinema and series, announcing a slew of new movie projects to celebrate the country’s National Day of Cinema on Aug. 15 and as part of its #QueMéxicoSeVea initiative. One of the projects included in the pipeline is Invitación a un asesinato based on the novel by Carmen Posadas, with Producers Erik Barmack and Jimena Rodriguez.
Library Pictures International, Great Point Media & Wild Sheep Board Synchronicity Feature ‘KILL’; CAA Media Finance To Handle Worldwide Sales
Deadline | June 6, 2022Erik Barmack’s Wild Sheep Content has boarded Synchronicity Films and Mr. B Films’ feature KILL, which has entered principal photography.
Amazon Prime Video Doubles Down on India Investment with 40-Strong Slate, Licensing Deals and TVOD Service
Variety | April 28, 2022Amazon Prime Video is betting big on Indian content. At a marquee event in Mumbai the streamer announced that it will more than double its investment in Prime Video India over the next five years and revealed a 40-strong slate, its biggest to date in the country. One of the Upcoming Unscripted Original series is “This is AP Dhillon” An all-access reality documentary based on AP Dhillon – the breakout star of the global Punjabi hip hop scene, being produced by Wild Sheep Content & Brown Munde Inc.
Erik Barmack, ‘Blood Red Sky’ Producer Benjamin Munz Team for High-Speed German Action Film ‘The Chase’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | April 1, 2022In one of the biggest swings in Europe’s market, Erik Barmack, the former Netflix VP of international originals, is teaming with Benjamin Munz, producer of “Blood Red Sky,” Netflix’s most-watched non-English movie of all time, on a tentpole high-speed German action film, “The Chase.”
‘Harlan Coben’s Shelter’ YA Drama Starring Jaden Michael Picked Up To Series For Prime Video
Deadline | March 15, 2022Amazon Studios has given a series order to its YA action-thriller pilot Harlan Coben’s Shelter, an adaptation of Coben’s Mickey Bolitar novels with Jaden Michael (Colin in Black and White) starring as Bolitar. The project, co-produced by MGM International Television Productions and Amazon Studios, will premiere on Prime Video.
Erik Barmack Set to Produce Tianna Johnson’s Brit List 2021 Winner ‘Obeah’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | Jan 20, 2022Erik Barmack, the former Netflix VP of international originals who brought “Money Heist” to the streamer, has boarded Tianna Johnson’s London-set fantasy drama ‘Obeah,’ which topped the Brit List 2021 of un-produced screenplays.
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Erik Barmack-Backed ‘Cromosoma 21,’ Made With Chile’s Film N’ Maker, Readies Production (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | September 3, 2021Erik Barmack’s Wild Sheep Content, the new L.A.-based company of the former Netflix VP, has boarded “Cromosoma 21,” an original crime mystery series created and directed by Chile’s Matías Venables Brito which adds major twists to a classic murder witness narrative.
Mark Lawrence’s Fantasy Trilogy ‘One Word Kill’ In The Works As Series With Holly Phillips, Synchronicity Films & Erik Barmack’s Wild Sheep
Deadline | August 3, 2021Mark Lawrence’s fantasy novel trilogy One Word Kill is the latest YA book series to be adapted for television.Holly Phillips, who created and served as showrunner for BBC/Netflix teen series Get Even, is adapting the books for The Cry produc2021er Synchronicity Films and Wild Sheep, the production company set up by former Netflix exec Erik Barmack.
Erik Barmack Drives Into Romantic Comedy, Optioning Petra Hülsmann’s ‘Hamburg Series’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | May 17, 2021In his first major move in the German market, Erik Barmack’s Wild Sheep Content, the fast-growing L.A. company of the former Netflix VP, has made a big swing in romantic comedy, optioning six-novel “The Hamburg Series” from Germany’s Petra Hülsmann, which he imagines adapting to the small screen as a six film franchise.
Amazon Studios Orders YA Pilot Based on Harlan Coben Novel ‘Shelter’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | April 19, 2021Shelter” is the first novel in Coben’s Mickey Bolitar book series. MGM has acquired the rights to all the other books in the Mickey Bolitar series as well. According to an individual with knowledge of the project, should “Shelter” get ordered to series, it could go either to Amazon Prime Video or to IMDB TV. The pilot will begin filming this summer.
Why Is Erik Barmack, Doyen of International Series, Moving into Movie Production?
Variety | January 19, 2021As a Netflix VP and head of international original series, Erik Barmack shaped today’s fiction TV business. He brought “Money Heist” (“La Casa de Papel”) to Netflix and spearheaded the U.S. streaming giant’s drive into local production the world over. “Dark,” “Elite” “Rain” and “Sacred Games” are some results.
Kate del Castillo, Erik Barmack Team for Womanhunt Thriller (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | January 8, 2021Pairing two of the most iconic figures on the Spanish-language business scene, actress-producer Kate del Castillo, star of Telemundo smash hit “La Reina del Sur,” is teaming with former Netflix VP Erik Barmack to produce and star in a womanhunt thriller.
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Erik Barmack’s Wild Sheep Content Drives Deeper into Animation with Mirka Andolfo’s ‘Sweet Paprika’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | November 17, 2020Erik Barmack’s Wild Sheep Content, the new L.A.-based company of the former Netflix VP, has boarded steamy romantic comedy “Sweet Paprika,” the first animation project from internationally renowned comic book artist Mirka Andolfo (“Unnatural” “Mercy”).
‘Kingdom Come: Deliverance’ Gets Live-Action Adaptation From Erik Barmack, Warhorse Studios (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | October 8, 2020Former Netflix exec Erik Barmack and Prague-based Warhorse Studios are developing a live-action makeover of “Kingdom Come: Deliverance,” a video game set in the Medieval Holy Roman Empire, which has sold over 3 million copies, making it one of the biggest games in its genre.
Sega Developing Live-Action Adaptation Based on ‘Yakuza’ Video Game With 1212, Wild Sheep (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | September 24, 2020Sega is developing a live-action adaptation from its “Yakuza” video game franchise with 1212 Entertainment and Wild Sheep Content, Variety has learned exclusively.
Exclusive: Erik Barmack’s Wild Sheep ‘accelerates’ move into docuseries & animation
TBI | June 11, 2020Erik Barmack, the former Netflix exec who drove the streamer’s much-vaunted international content strategy, has accelerated his Wild Sheep production firm’s moves into animation and docuseries, with a show from Vox Media’s Josh Davis among new projects.
The Mediapro Studio Acquires Stake in Wild Sheep
TTV News | January 23, 2020The Mediapro Studio will partner with Wild Sheep Content, the production company launched by former Netflix exec, Erik Barmack, in developing and distributing new shows and films globally.
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Wild Sheep Content, Studio Reaz to Adapt Top Scandi Crime Writer Emelie Schepp’s ‘Marked for Life’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Variety | December 3, 2019Wild Sheep Content, the L.A.-based production company of former Netflix head of international originals Erik Barmack, is teaming with France’s Studio Reaz to adapt “Marked for Life,” the debut novel by top Scandinavian crime writer Emelie Schepp featuring the damaged heroine Jana Berzelius.
Former Netflix International Exec Erik Barmack To Adapt Australian Teen Novel ‘On the Jellicoe Road’ With ZDFE & Werner Film
Deadline | December 2, 2019The company, which Barmack, who was VP International Originals for Latin America, EMEA and India, set up earlier this year after leaving the SVOD service, is working with Germany’s ZDF Enterprises and Australia’s Werner Film Productions, on the young adult drama series.