Festivals - Series Mania 2026: Disney+ creates a buzz with three world premieres

By Mulder, 13 february 2026

In Lille, the 2026 edition of Séries Mania is already shaping up to be a strategic milestone for Disney+, which is transforming its longstanding presence at the festival into a veritable show of editorial strength. A faithful participant since the platform's launch in France in 2020, the streaming service is reaching a symbolic milestone this year by lining up three world premieres covering three major areas of its editorial line: the continuation of a cult international franchise, the affirmation of a major original French production, and the opening up to ambitious Latin American creation. This triptych is no coincidence: it embodies the desire to combine global IP, local roots, and geographic diversification, while taking advantage of a festival that, over the years, has become one of the most reliable barometers of series trends in Europe. In the corridors of the Lille Grand Palais and the Nouveau Siècle, professionals are already talking about an edition in which the platform will not only accompany the festivities, but also set the pace for the highlights.

The official opening of the festival on March 20 will be particularly eagerly awaited with the world premiere of The Testaments, a new Hulu Original series derived from the universe of The Handmaid's Tale. Adapted from Margaret Atwood's novel of the same name, the series extends the dystopian mythology of Gilead by adopting a younger, more initiatory generational perspective. The announced attendance of Ann Dowd, Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday, and executive producers Bruce Miller and Warren Littlefield promises a purple carpet with strong symbolic significance for fans of the saga, but also for the industry, which is closely watching the ability of franchises to reinvent themselves without diluting their DNA. Created for television by Bruce Miller and directed for its first episodes by Mike Barker, the series also brings Elisabeth Moss on board as an executive producer, a sign of assured creative continuity. Beyond the event itself, this screening embodies a broader narrative challenge: how to evolve an iconic dystopian work towards a new generation of characters and viewers, at a time when political fiction resonates differently depending on the international context. The broadcast, scheduled for April 8 on Disney+, further reinforces the global showcase dimension offered by Séries Mania.

Two days later, on March 22, French expertise will be showcased with the world premiere of Lucky Luke, a new original French production starring Alban Lenoir as the lone cowboy. The announcement immediately sparked curiosity and debate: adapting an icon so deeply rooted in the Franco-Belgian imagination requires a delicate balance between respect for heritage and aesthetic modernization. Directed by Benjamin Rocher, with a creation by Mathieu Leblanc and Thomas Mansuy, the series takes a dynamic and contemporary approach, while retaining the archetypes that forged the character's legend. Alongside Alban Lenoir, we find Billie Blain, Alice Taglioni, Jérôme Niel, Camille Chamoux, and Victor Le Blond, an eclectic cast that reflects a desire to combine comedy, action, and adventure. The fact that Alban Lenoir is also co-producer via Homerun highlights an interesting development in the French audiovisual landscape: more and more actors are getting involved in the creative and industrial production of works, blurring the line between acting and producing. The series will be available on Disney+ starting March 23, confirming the platform's confidence in this project with strong popular potential.

On March 24, the international dimension continues with the presentation in competition of Dear Killer Nannies, a drama series produced by Telemundo Studios and led by showrunner Sebastián Ortega, inspired by the childhood of Juan Pablo Escobar. The angle chosen to tell the story from the perspective of Pablo Escobar Gaviria's son marks a break with traditional narratives centered on the figure of the drug trafficker. Here, the series explores the psychological development of a child growing up in an environment dominated by violence, paranoia, and emotional paradoxes. The presence of John Leguizamo in the role of Pablo Escobar Gaviria is already attracting attention, while Janer Villareal, Miguel Tamayo, and Miguel Ángel García embody different stages of Juan Pablo Escobar's life. This type of introspective storytelling illustrates a growing trend: revisiting controversial historical figures through intimate rather than spectacular perspectives. The future broadcast on Disney+ in Latin America, the United Kingdom, and Europe, as well as on Hulu in the United States, reflects a strategy of transcontinental content distribution.

Beyond these three previews, Disney+ is also part of several highlights of the festival, confirming a strategy of occupying the cultural and professional field. The “Même pas peur” (Not Even Scared) night at Le Tripostal will feature the screening of an episode of American Horror Story, a series that has become emblematic of the television horror genre, while the Prix Vidocq competition will feature Les Disparues de la Gare, a series inspired by real events, directed by Virginie Sauveur and created by Gaëlle Bellan. Finally, on March 25, the keynote address by Angela Jain, Head of Content Disney+ EMEA, at the Séries Mania Forum, promises to be a key moment for deciphering the platform's future directions in terms of European, Middle Eastern, and African creations. In a market where competition between platforms is based as much on the power of franchises as on the uniqueness of local productions, this 2026 edition of Séries Mania acts as a clear indicator: Disney+ is no longer seeking simply to be present, but to structure its image around a global, hybrid, and resolutely international editorial identity.

(Source: press release)