Paris – Banijay Group announced that leading drama executive Takis Candilis has been appointed Head of Scripted of Banijay Group. In this newly created role, Candilis will be directly in charge of Banijay’s scripted production company in France and will oversee the entire scripted production business for the Banijay Group. Based in Paris, Candilis’ remit will see him expand the French scripted business and the international drama output.

Marco Bassetti, Group CEO of Banijay, commented, “We are extremely pleased to have one of the leading exponents of international scripted programming join us at Banijay Group. Takis has an extraordinarily deep knowledge and experience of developing and creating scripted content. It is an important next step for the Group to grow its business in this important genre and, with Takis at the helm; we look forward to expanding our global presence in the drama arena.”

Takis Candilis added, “It is certainly an exciting time to arrive at Banijay Group following the recent merger which has made it the world’s largest independent content creation company. There are many award-winning, fiction producers within the Group and I look forward to working with them to determine new projects and to support them as they develop and widen their production slates.”

In a career spanning more than forty years, Takis Candilis is acknowledged as one of the most highly experienced drama producers and scripted television executives in France.  He has produced numerous award-winning drama series including Navarro, L’Instit and Quai No. 1.  He became Head of Drama at leading French commercial broadcaster TF1 in 1999, taking the additional responsibility of General Assistant Director of TF1 Production in 2002. He joined Lagardère Entertainment as Senior Vice President, Audiovisual Production in 2008 where he was responsible for production output, in particular scripted; instigating the company’s subsequent expansion into international drama production.