Disney+ to appoint new Australian commissioner as it lifts spending on local originals — Disney+ is about to name a new commissioner in Australia. It is also increasing its investment in Australian original programming. The move is part of a wider push by Disney to triple its local-language output worldwide.
Jon Wax outlined the plans at the Busan International Film Festival, as reported by Variety on 7 October. He is Disney Entertainment’s executive vice president of international original television. However, Disney has not named the new commissioner, given a start date or put a dollar figure on the extra spending.
For Australian viewers, the timing is notable. One of the service’s biggest local hits, The Artful Dodger, is now filming its third and final season in Sydney. In fact, Disney+ has described the series as its most-watched Australian Original.
What Disney+ has made in Australia
Disney+’s Australian scripted originals include The Clearing, The Artful Dodger and Last Days of the Space Age. Its unscripted slate has included Matildas: The World at Our Feet and Shipwreck Hunters Australia. In addition, it has commissioned Fearless: The Inside Story of the AFLW and Donna Hay’s Christmas and coastal series.
A new commissioner will shape what comes next. As a result, the appointment is one to watch for Australian producers pitching to the service. It also matters for subscribers who want more local drama and documentary.
A global push for local-language series
Australia is one part of a much broader strategy. Disney+ wants to triple the amount of local-language programming it makes worldwide. However, it has not given a baseline or a deadline for that target.
Wax joined Disney about three years ago from Amazon Studios. Before that, he held senior creative roles at YouTube Originals and 20th Century Fox Television. In Busan, he also pointed to markets where Disney+ is yet to commission.
There’s many other countries, and, you know, we’re not in many of them yet.
Jon Wax, Disney Entertainment
Similarly, he left the door open to production in Indonesia, after earlier cutbacks in Southeast Asia.
It is absolutely on the menu. We just need some time to execute.
Jon Wax, Disney Entertainment, on Indonesia
Elsewhere, Disney is preparing local versions of Battle of Fates in South Korea. Meanwhile, a live-action slate is coming in Japan, along with an anime series based on Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding.
What it means for Australian originals
Disney+ has not said how many Australian titles it plans to commission. Nor has it said which genres it will prioritise. Even so, a dedicated commissioner and a bigger budget suggest more Australian projects are coming.
In the meantime, The Artful Dodger remains the service’s flagship local series. Thomas Brodie-Sangster, David Thewlis and Maia Mitchell return for the final season. They are joined by newcomers Ewen Leslie, Stephen Curry and Broden Kelly. A premiere date has not been announced.
For more TV Central Disney+ news, head here, and read about The Artful Dodger season 3 filming in Sydney. Variety has the full report from Busan.