EXCLUSIVE: Eva Longoria and Stanley Tucci’s CNN Original Series food documentaries will travel the world.
Banijay Rights has acquired the worldwide distribution rights for Eva Longoria: In Search of Mexico And Stanley Tucci: In Search of Italy, both of which accompany Hollywood stars on culinary journeys. Gold Rush producer Raw TV is behind both series and has worked for CNN.
Eva Longoria: In Search of Mexico follows that Desperate Housewives Star, director, producer and activist as she explores the lands of her Mexican ancestors in six episodes to find out who shaped the country’s rich culture, landscape and history its cuisine.
Stanley Tucci: In Search of Italy In this series, the actor pursues his passion for Italian cuisine and explores the stories and people behind the European country’s fabled cuisine. Tucci, who is of Italian descent on both sides, visits food markets and hidden trattorias in two seasons totaling 14 episodes. BBC2 had already acquired the first season in 2021.
Tucci serves as executive producer on both series.
The acquisitions were brokered by Erica Novich, VP, Business Affairs at CNN Worldwide, and Nicola Davey, VP Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, who recently joined the company from Beyond Rights.
“Told through the prism of two of entertainment’s biggest stars, these charming, extraordinary series shine a spotlight on the world’s most celebrated culinary cultures and the incredible stories that surround them,” said Davey.
Other documentaries on Banijay Rights’ list include 72 Films’ Boris Johnson series Boris And lara (working title), a Benelux joint venture Scenery von Banijay reconciliation film about Pablo Escobar’s most famous assassination. Deadline told you about both here and here.
CNN slashed its Original Series and CNN Films divisions in October last year, led by Chris Licht, who left Warner Bros. Discovery last month after a turbulent run.