Christian Vesper has announced his resignation as CEO of global drama and film at Fremantle, effective immediately. Having served in this role for a decade, Vesper played a pivotal part in transforming the company from a reality TV powerhouse into a significant player in high-quality scripted content. His departure marks a notable shift for the company, which has experienced rapid growth under his leadership.
Vesper joined Fremantle in 2013, coming from Sundance TV, where he focused on international co-productions, including acclaimed series such as Top of the Lake and Deutschland 83. He was recruited by Andrea Scrosati, Group COO and CEO of Continental Europe, to enhance Fremantle’s portfolio of high-end television series and feature films. Over the past ten years, Fremantle expanded its reach, producing notable films like Poor Things, Bugonia, and Queer, as well as high-profile series including Joe Wright‘s Musollini: Son of the Century.
During Vesper’s tenure, Fremantle established numerous partnerships with well-known production labels. These included collaborations with Emma Stone and Dave McCary‘s Fruit Tree Productions, Kristen Stewart and Dylan Meyer‘s Nevermind Pictures, and Rachel Weisz‘s Astral Projection, among others. Most recently, he played a key role in reviving the beloved series Baywatch for the Fox Network.
In a statement regarding his resignation, Vesper expressed gratitude for the support he received from Jennifer Mullin, Fremantle’s CEO, and Scrosati. “I am extremely proud of what we have achieved together, and the fact we will deliver our 100th film this year underlines the progress made,” he said. “Now is the perfect moment for my next adventure, and I am excited for the journey ahead.”
Scrosati will temporarily assume Vesper’s responsibilities within the drama and film division. He praised Vesper’s contributions, noting, “With Christian at the helm, we have established our drama and film business and delivered both consistent success and critical acclaim.” Under Vesper’s leadership, Fremantle’s scripted content became a crucial aspect of its operations, recognized for quality across the industry.
The films produced during Vesper’s time at Fremantle garnered significant accolades, achieving a total of four Oscars, two Golden Globes, and five BAFTAs in the last five years. This success aligned with a broader strategy by Fremantle’s parent company, RTL Group, aimed at increasing the division’s revenue to over $3 billion annually.
Despite these ambitions, the company has faced challenges in the evolving television landscape. In particular, global streaming platforms have reduced investments in original content, and competition from platforms such as YouTube has intensified. As a result, Fremantle reported revenues of just over $1.5 billion (€1.35 billion) in the first nine months of 2025, a decline of 5.1 percent compared to the previous year, falling short of its ambitious €3 billion target.
As Vesper departs, Fremantle faces a critical juncture in its evolution as it navigates the complexities of the entertainment industry. His leadership has left a lasting impact, and the company will need to adapt to continue its trajectory of growth and innovation in the competitive global market.
