Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, today announces that historical drama Marie Antoinette has been acquired by Disney+ in Germany.

Produced by Banijay Studios France, CAPA Drama and Les Gens, the eight-part series – created and written by Deborah Davis (The Favourite) – will launch on Disney+ in Germany on June 21.

Banijay Rights has now sold the first season of Marie Antoinette to over 70 territories, including the US (PBS Distribution), the UK (BBC Two and iPlayer) and Australia (BBC First), as well as a raft of broadcasters across Europe and Latin America. Earlier this year the landmark drama was ordered for a second series by CANAL+, with filming expected to begin this autumn.

Veronique Verges, SVP, German-Speaking Territories, Poland & Hungary, Banijay Rights, who brokered the deal with Disney+, said: “Set in the dazzling, complex and often dark world of Versailles, Marie Antoinette is a remarkable drama that chronicles the life of one of history’s most exceptional women. We’re thrilled Disney+ has acquired this series for German audiences, as her story continues to gain traction worldwide.”

Marie Antoinette tells the story of the incredibly modern and avant-garde young queen, played by Emilia Schüle (Ku’damm 56/ 63), with Louis Cunningham (Bridgerton) as the Dauphin of France, Louis XVI. The series is produced by Claude Chelli and Margaux Balsan for CAPA Drama, Stéphanie Chartreux for Banijay Studios France, and Christophe Toulemonde for Les Gens.

Filming took place in several prestigious historical places including the Châteaux of Versailles, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Lésigny, Champs, Voisins, and in the emblematic studios

of Bry-sur-Marne. Joining Davis in writing the ambitious drama is Louise Ironside (The Split), Avril E. Russell (All on a Summer’s Day) and Chloë Moss (Run Sister Run). The series is directed by Pete Travis (Bloodlands) and Geoffrey Enthoven (Children of Love).

Marie Antoinette was a young teenager when she left Austria to marry the Dauphin of France. Growing from a stubborn young princess navigating the rules of the French court under pressure to continue the Bourbon line, to a true fashion icon, she impressed with her natural charisma, and recreated life in Versailles in her image: free, independent and feminist ahead of time. Even with rumours undermining her reputation, the notorious figure would defeat the enemies of the Versailles court with courage and dignity.