Christian Vesper has announced his departure as CEO of global drama and film at Fremantle, concluding a decade of significant contributions to the company. Vesper, who previously held a position at Sundance TV, was recruited by Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO of Continental Europe at RTL Group, to enhance Fremantle’s presence in high-end television and film.
During Vesper’s tenure, Fremantle transformed from a company primarily recognized for its reality television formats, such as American Idol and X Factor, into a leading independent film producer. The company backed acclaimed films such as Poor Things, Bugonia, Queer, Maria, and Pillion, as well as notable series like Joe Wright’s Mussolini: Son of the Century and Faithless, directed by Tomas Alfredson.
Vesper’s latest project involved the revival of Baywatch for the Fox Network. His leadership facilitated numerous creative partnerships with production entities, including Fruit Tree Productions, co-founded by Emma Stone and Dave McCary, and Nevermind Pictures, established by Kristen Stewart and her collaborators.
In a statement, Vesper expressed gratitude for the support he received from Jennifer Mullin and Scrosati, stating, “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.” He emphasized that it was the right time to embark on a new adventure.
Andrea Scrosati will temporarily assume Vesper’s responsibilities in the drama and film division. He praised Vesper’s unwavering commitment, noting, “With Christian at the helm, we have established our drama and film business and delivered both consistent success and critical acclaim.”
Fremantle’s films have garnered extensive recognition, securing four Oscars, two Golden Globes, and five BAFTAs over the past five years. This success aligns with RTL Group’s broader strategy to elevate revenues in this division to over $3 billion annually. Nonetheless, this ambitious goal has faced challenges due to a shifting television landscape, characterized by a reduction in original acquisitions from global streaming services and heightened competition from platforms such as YouTube.
In the first nine months of 2025, Fremantle reported revenues of just over $1.5 billion (€1.35 billion), reflecting a decline of 5.1 percent from the previous year. The current figures indicate a significant gap from the €3 billion target originally set by the company.
As Vesper steps down, the future of Fremantle’s film and drama division remains a focal point, with Scrosati poised to guide it through this transitional period.
