Christian Vesper Steps Down as Fremantle’s Global Drama and Film CEO

Christian Vesper is to step down from his place as Fremantle‘s CEO, global drama and film, bringing to a close a decade‑long tenure in which he has played a central role in shaping the company’s global scripted strategy.

Vesper, who joined Fremantle in 2016, has been “instrumental in establishing [it] as an internationally recognized center of excellence for drama and film,” the company said.

Based in London, he reported into Andrea Scrosati, group COO and CEO Continental Europe, who will now oversee the movie and drama division on an interim foundation “in close collaboration with the wider film and drama leadership team.”

Scrosati said: “I would like to personally thank Christian for his unwavering commitment and contribution to Fremantle over the past decade. With Christian at the helm, we have established our drama and film business and delivered both consistent success and critical acclaim. Our scripted portfolio is today a key component of our business and recognized across the industry. Christian is a creative at heart, and his vision has helped build the credibility of our drama and film slate. We appreciate that he now wishes to focus on new horizons, and we all wish him well in the future.”

Vesper said: “After 10 years with Fremantle, I have decided that the time is right to step down from my role as CEO film and drama. I would like to thank Jennifer Mullin and Andrea Scrosati for their incredible support, ambition and creative spirit, enabling us to build our film and drama capabilities. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved together, and the fact we will deliver our 100th film this year underlines the progress made. Fremantle is an incredible company and has been a huge part of my life for the last decade. We have built a dedicated and talented team whom I will miss greatly, but I know they will take our film and drama business to even greater heights. Now is the perfect moment for my next adventure, and I am excited for the journey ahead.”

Vesper leaves Fremantle’s movie and drama operations “in a position of strength,” the company said, having performed a key position in increasing its scripted footprint, notably via an in depth slate of first‑look and artistic collaborations with global movie and TV creators. These embrace partnerships with Emma Stone and Dave McCary’s Fruit Tree Productions; Kristen Stewart, Dylan Meyer and Maggie McLean’s Nevermind Pictures; Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín’s Fabula; Rachel Weisz and Polly Stokes’ Astral Projection; Edward Berger’s Nine Hours; Johan Renck and Michael Parets’ Sinestra Films; Sarah Condon’s Fair Harbour; and Richard Yee and Krishnendu Majumdar’s Me+You Productions.

In addition, Vesper has EP’d and shepherded via Fremantle movies and collection, such as “Bugonia,” “Pillion,” “Queer,” “Maria,” “The Chronology of Water,” “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” “The Luminaries,” “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl,” and the upcoming Rachel Weisz starrer, the Thomas Alfredson directed “Séance on a Wet Afternoon.” Most not too long ago he labored to arrange the Fox Network revival of “Baywatch.”

In the last 5 years, Fremantle has produced or was a part of more than 80 movies and is on monitor to release its one centesimal movie in 2026. This interval has been marked by vital success, including 4 Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, 5 BAFTAs, eight Cannes winners, and seven Venice winners, including the Golden Lion.

Other highlights during Vesper’s tenure embrace competition premieres and vital popularity of “Without Blood” (directed by Angelina Jolie, and starring Salma Hayek), “M. Son of the Century” (directed by Joe Wright, starring Luca Marinelli), “Faithless” (directed by Tomas Alfredson, starring Frida Gustavsson, Gustav Lindh, and August Wittgenstein), Cannes winner “My Father’s Shadow” and “The Listeners” (directed by Janicza Bravo, starring Rebecca Hall).

Before becoming a member of Fremantle, Vesper spent 14 years at Sundance TV, the place he oversaw the network’s scripted tasks and led co‑productions including “Rectify,” “The Honorable Woman,” “The Last Panthers,” “Top of the Lake” and “Deutschland 83.” He beforehand held roles at HBO, iFilm, October Films and USA Films.