Netflix Execs Say They Are Committed to Developing International Series from “Diverse Voices”

Netflix means business when it comes to expanding internationally. During a panel at Berlin’s Drama Series Days, Netflix execs spoke openly about their desire to commission more foreign-language series, particularly stories from “diverse voices” and from those who “haven’t had an opportunity” to share their perspectives. Speaking in front of a packed house, directors of originals from across the globe said that the streaming giant is committed to developing more international titles, and they promised that as the company continues to grow abroad, it will “scale” its “investment in local series” accordingly.

Netflix execs told the Berlin audience that they aim to promote diversity with international titles. “We’re definitely looking to foster voices that haven’t had an opportunity before,” said Kelly Luegenbiehl, VP of international originals for Europe, Turkey, and Africa. “In particular, we have a real passion around diverse voices, female storytellers, things that maybe you have to work a little bit harder to find sometimes. We feel like by empowering those voices, that’s where we are getting the stories that feel really unique and differentiated.”

Luegenbiehl offered Italian drama Baby as an example, saying that hiring a young writing team (according to Variety, the majority of the show’s writers are between the ages of 19 and 24) “seemed like an opportunity” rather than “something that seemed scary or a risk.” She added, “Where we try to lean is where other people might see something as a reason not to do something. For us, that’s a reason to give it a shot.”

Director of German-language acquisitions and co-productions Kai Finke said that Netflix is also interested in developing more interactive titles like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. “We’ve clearly seen demand in that space and I think we are clearly looking for more projects in that space,” said Finke.

Each quarter, Netflix adds million of international subscribers, and Luegenbiehl insisted that the company will make a concerted effort to “match” these viewers’ interests. “As you can see from our recent subscriber numbers, we are continuing to grow internationally, and so I think we plan to scale our investment in local series to match our growth,” she said. “For us, it is still very early days. There is a lot of momentum internally at Netflix around building out our international series.”

But at the end of the day, a Netflix Original is a Netflix Original, regardless of native language or production location. According to Diego Avalos, director of originals from Spain, “Talent has no boundaries. IP has no boundaries, and the way IP gets adapted and talent can travel throughout our territories is something we constantly speak to each other about.”

Watch Baby on Netflix