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

Christian Vesper is to step down from his position 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. Films produced during this time include “Bugonia,” “Pillion,” “The Chronology of Water,” “Queer” and “Maria.”

In the last five years, Fremantle has produced or was part of more than 80 films and is on track to release its 100th film in 2026. This period has been marked by critical success, including four Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, five BAFTAs, eight Cannes winners, and seven Venice winners, including the Golden Lion.

Vesper leaves Fremantle’s film and drama operations “in a position of strength,” the company said, having played a key role in expanding its scripted footprint, particularly through an extensive slate of first‑look and creative collaborations with global film and TV creators. These include 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.

As well as “Bugonia,” “Pillion,” “Queer,” “Maria” and “The Chronology of Water,” Vesper has EP’d and shepherded through Fremantle such films and series as “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 recently he worked to set up the Fox Network revival of “Baywatch.”

Other highlights during Vesper’s tenure include festival premieres and critical acclaim for “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).

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 film and drama division on an interim basis “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.”

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