‘The Assembly’ Renewed At Australia’s ABC, Producer Helium Reveals

Exclusive: After information was revealed about Sam Neill and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Assembly It will reconvene on ABC.

The unscripted show will return to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation next year after its seven-part first season earlier this fall, with the news coming during a Deadline interview with Mark Fennessy on Assembly Producer Helium, who described it as a “rare gem” and a “huge hit for 2024”.

The show is adapted from the French format Meetings of PaputinWhich was launched on France 2 and featured French President Emmanuel Macron Contact my agent Star Camille Cottin. It follows a group of neurodiverse student journalists, as they prepare to conduct group interviews with some of their country's biggest names.

The BBC version sent Michael Sheen viral, and it was also remade in Denmark, Spain and Poland. The Australian version saw Australian leader Albanese and Take control of Jurassic World Star Neil is being questioned by a group of curious young journalists. “We are thrilled that ABC has picked up the show for a 2025 second season,” Fennessy said.

Elsewhere in the interview, Fennessy talked about launching Sydney-based company Helium three years ago, and spoke about why the independent company was turning to feature films with The first exorcistwhich we told you about a few months ago, and how it helped the company's record arm produce scripted drama series like Paper dollswhich we heard was recently picked up by Netflix in Australia.

“The changing ecosystem presented the perfect opportunity and timing for an innovative and vibrant independent brand like Helium,” said Fennessy, former head of Endemol Shine and Fremantle in Australia. “In a short and relatively volatile period, the company has grown rapidly.

“Most satisfying is the growth and success we have seen in both scripted and unscripted. We have created and produced several successful scripted series for streaming platforms, along with unscripted series for major broadcast networks – as well as a theatrically released feature film about youth culture 6 festivals“.

In a wide-ranging interview, Fennessy also addressed whether Australia could be considered a production hotspot, how rights agreements are evolving and how running a solo independent company differs from the consolidated companies pioneered alongside his brother Carl Fennessy, “a relatively short and volatile period.”

Delivery time: Helium has been working for three years now. What has been your most unexpected moment as a true independent after running the United Indies for years prior?

Mark Fennessy: The changing ecosystem presented the perfect opportunity and timing for an innovative and vibrant independent brand like Helium. In a short and relatively volatile period, the company grew rapidly. What's even more gratifying is the growth and success we've seen across both written and non-written text. We have created and produced several successful scripted series for streaming platforms, as well as unscripted series for major broadcast networks – as well as a theatrically released feature film about youth culture 6 festivals. We have several new and unique scripted projects in fully funded development with streaming platforms and a recently announced feature film. The first exorcist – There is great momentum in the company.

Delivery time: Australia is described as a production hotbed at the moment, albeit in the context of global budget challenges. What is your reading about the country and its production sector?

MF: It has been a challenging period for the industry globally, but the Australian market continues to punch above its weight. There is certainly more competition for fewer commissions, but the general mood is optimistic. A lot of international productions are now flowing into the market due to our favorable tax rebates and credits, talented crews and stable climate, with Helium providing production services in this field. English-language drama remains very attractive internationally, so Australian producers are producing not only for domestic audiences, but for much larger audiences in the US and UK. It's clear that Australia remains one of the most attractive locations for producing outstanding TV shows and films.

Delivery time: How did Helium try to have a unique offering?

MF: Helium is a finely tuned and highly motivated independent producer – lean and strong but high on creativity, culture, production experience and talent. We are truly independent and have the experience and understanding of local and international markets to successfully navigate this genre. Without the pressure of size to meet volume, we are selective and always focus on excellence, ensuring what we produce reaches a global stage. We are a production brand across script, unscripted and non-fiction/documentary – and this puts us in a unique position compared to other companies that just sit in one of these aisles.

Delivery time: Can you describe the way you interacted with distributors? How do you try to maintain rights – and revenues – with helium?

MF: We have a healthy relationship with a growing number of local and international distributors who are all highly engaged and impressed by the roster, and want to know what's next. Rights and revenues are always a byproduct of the partnership with commissioners, rights holders, broadcast partners and distributors. It is about the spirit of purposeful partnership and the pursuit of win-win. The majority of Australian broadcasters and a large number of streamers only obtain local rights, which is uncommon elsewhere in the world, which means we retain international rights to most of our shows, so working with the best distributors is key to monetizing them effectively. . .

Delivery time: You ran Fremantle Australia and Endemol Shine Australia with your brother Karl. What was it like going solo and would you work with him again?

MF: We have had amazing success running no less than four businesses across Crackerjack, Shine, Fremantle and Endemol Shine – all great experiences. Carl is a super talent and we are in constant contact. We're doing different things at the moment and it's a healthy change – a bit like taking a break from the band to do a solo project. I love the new experience and the new team at Helium, but never say never.

Delivery time: What are Helium's major headlines so far and what stands out on the list? On the written side there The last king of the crossnow 18 episodes over two seasons, both of which were first originals on Paramount+; Paper dollsabout a 90s girl group that Netflix recently picked up for Australia; And the advantage 6 festivals. We have three new scripted series in advanced, fully funded development with three additional broadcast programs The first exorcist With Greg McLean and Emo Creek, and two more features in the works. On the unwritten side is the great success Assembly which was just renewed for a second season by ABC; We are boycotting this broadcast, The final escape And a series of upcoming special events Most similar in Australia (twins) For nine. We're about to announce new unscripted commissions, along with our first feature-length documentary – all soon. Given the success so far, I'm very excited about what's in development and what's on the production slate.

Delivery time: How does the score part of your work fit in with the rest of the work?

MF: Music remains a personal passion and a strategic business pillar for the company. We can operate as a record label, as we did before Paper dolls With ARIA-nominated original soundtracks, a publishing company that owns and manages the rights to original music scores for our film and TV content – ​​whether that's pop hits or hit songs as in Paper dolls. We also have some music-based documentary projects, which have an attractive commercial side to the business.

Delivery time: I have adapted the French format 'The Assembly' to suit Australian audiences. Are there more plans along the new lines?

MF: definitely. Throughout my career, I'm really proud of my success in adapting to and resizing so many formats, along with my brother Karl. Assembly It has been an example of this and one of the hit shows of 2024, and we're delighted that ABC has picked up the show for a second season for 2025. We're always on the lookout for those 'rare gems' and have a number of successful international formats under licence, so watch this space.

Delivery time: Do you have US representation, and are you looking to work in the US, or bring US partners to Australia?

MF: We tended to be fairly neutral in working with different agencies on specific projects, which served us well strategically as true freelancers. Recently we have been working with Gersh. We are currently exploring several opportunities in the US, and there are already existing projects with US partners on the list.

Delivery time: Are there any plans to sell Helium shares at the moment?

MF: At the moment, we are largely focused on building business across premium scripted, unscripted and non-fiction/documentary films. One can see the advantage of accelerating growth through a like-minded strategic partner, so if the right opportunity presents itself with a partner that complements what we do and where we want to go, we will definitely have those discussions and consider it.