Netflix is stirring up the unscripted television market with an innovative reality series based on the beloved character Willy Wonka from Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory“. Known for being portrayed by iconic actors like Gene Wilder, Johnny Depp, and Timothée Chalamet, Willy Wonka will now enchant audiences in a completely new format on the small screen. This development follows Netflix’s acquisition of the Roald Dahl Story Company in 2021.
As per Deadline, the project is a fresh highlight in the growing trend of competitive “bake-offs” in the U.S. unscripted sector. Netflix has reportedly reached out to several top production companies for this venture, including Fremantle and Wall to Wall, signaling a heated competition to secure the show’s production rights.
Fremantle is known for producing “American Idol“, while Wall to Wall has been involved in popular series like “Who Do You Think You Are?“ and is backed by Warner Bros. Discovery.
Despite no official deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, the studio might still play a role due to its ties to previous movie adaptations of the story. The reality series could potentially incorporate movie clips, requiring collaboration with Warner Bros.
The concept of bake-offs in television production is becoming increasingly common, allowing networks and streaming platforms to select from a pool of pitches, intensifying competition among producers.
This shift from traditional development processes is met with mixed reactions within the industry. Some producers find the competitive pitch process costly and taxing, preferring the more straightforward partnerships of the past.
Netflix’s engagement in such bake-offs isn’t isolated, as it follows similar competitive processes for other series, including a recent Meghan Markle-themed reality show. This trend is not limited to Netflix; other streaming services and networks are also adopting this model, heightening the stakes for production companies.
This new direction in TV production, which began gaining traction after BBC Studios was commercialized in 2017, has led to several traditional formats being put out to tender. Shows like “Mastermind“ and “Antiques Roadshow“ have undergone this process, reflecting a broader shift in how programming is commissioned and produced across the industry.
