“Spellbound” enchants broadcasters as Federation Kids & Family strikes deal with CBC/Radio-Canada

Cottonwood Media and ZDF announce full cast for 15.3M euro premium tween series currently in delivery

France, 4th April 2023
For immediate release

Premium kids content distributor Federation Kids & Family (part of Federation Studios) is delighted to announce that the Canadian national public broadcaster CBC/Radio Canada has acquired the enchanting premium live action tween series SPELLBOUND for English and French audiences in Canada. SPELLBOUND will launch on CBC Gem later this year, and on ICI TOU.TV during the 2023 – 24 broadcast season.

Shot in a cinematic style and scheduled for delivery in spring, SPELLBOUND (26 x ½ hrs.), which is budgeted at 15.3M euros, is a high-concept series with diversity and inclusivity at the heart of the production which interweaves the worlds of ballet, magic, witchcraft and more. Inspired and created by the same original showrunners of the hit series Find Me in Paris, Jill Girling and Lori Mather, SPELLBOUND is produced by Cottonwood Media in co-production with Opéra national de Paris and ZDF Studios, and leading international broadcasters ZDF, France Télévisions and U.S. streamer Hulu.

The new series features an up-and-coming stellar cast: Canadian actress Hailey Romain who plays ‘Cece’ the lead protagonist and Margherita Barbieri, Abigail O’Regan fellow dancers and close friends, Etienne Moana (Cece’s love interest), Sam Darius, and Zac Gabriel Werb, as well as Raven Dauda (The Umbrella Academy, Star Trek: Discovery) who stars as Aunt Ginger, Malou Beauvoir (Perception) Cece’s mother, Rik Young (Beowolf, Find Me in Paris) as Armando, Director of the school, Cameron James-King (Tuesday, His Dark Materials), Gomolémo Tsagaé, Imogen Mackie Walker and Charles Baker.

Federation Kids & Family and ZDF Studios are handling worldwide sales.

Marie McCann, Senior Director, Children’s Content, CBC commented: “The team at CBC Kids is excited to see Spellbound come to life. The dancers are electric against the stunning mise en scène and we think kids will really enjoy this fun and fresh take on magic.”

Simon Dupuis, Senior Director, Acquisitions & Speciality Channels, Radio-Canada commented: “Cottonwood Media has established an enviable reputation for producing the massive international teen drama hit Find Me in Paris. We believe that kids will be attracted to Spellbound as much as were reading the pitch. It has all the ingredients to become another success and Radio-Canada is proud to bring this series to its audiences!”

Monica Levy, Co-Chief of Distribution, Federation Kids & Family said: “We are delighted to have closed this deal with CBC/Radio-Canada as we ramp up international sales over the coming months. In respect of this specific deal, it’s also an added bonus that our lead actress Hailey Romain is Canadian herself.”

Co-founders of Cottonwood Media, David Michel, Cécile Lauritano & Zoé Carrera Allaix said: “We are working with some amazing broadcast partners on this big budget series, and we always look out for that ‘special’ something when it comes to seeking out new international talent for our productions in a bid to find the right individuals to bring our characters to life whilst reciprocally nurturing their skills – and we are confident some of these amazing new actors will soon have viewers under their spell!”

SPELLBOUND follows Cece Parker Jones, a vivacious 15 year old who relocates to Paris from a small town in the US to study at the Paris Opera Ballet School, and she’s on top of the world. But things turn upside down when she discovers a book of family spells in the back room of her Aunt Ginger’s apothecary which is dedicated to organic and plant-based products. While snooping through the book, she unknowingly casts the antidote to a protection spell that has been hiding her identity since she was a little girl. And in doing so, she summons her nemesis. This spit-fire teen must juggle the pressures of an elite ballet school, learning new techniques she’s never studied before, keeping up with her intense academics, not to mention her new friendships and maybe a cute boy… or two, as well as her incredible ability to activate magic, while keeping the underground Coven a secret for only her closest friends. Each storyline has been crafted to appeal to the tween demographic – while magic, mystery and dance are interwoven with elements such as school challenges, relationships, rivalry, romance, comedy and more, delivering a high-calibre entertainment series for a global audience.

Executive Producer is Renaud Mathieu (Emily in Paris, Patriot), and Series Lead Director is Alexander Jacob (Theodosia, 4 O’clock Club, Hollyoaks). Directors include Annie Bradley (The Handmaid’s Tale, The Expanse), as well as Robert Burke (Find Me in Paris, Free Rein). The series is produced by Cottonwood Media’s Zoé Carrera Allaix, Cécile Lauritano and David Michel.