James R | On 28, Aug 2022

A Wagatha Christie documentary is heading to Disney+, as part of the streamer’s newly commissioned unscripted UK slate.

The House of Mouse aims to have 60 local productions by 2025 as it expands the reach and international appeal of its subscription service, Disney+. While high budget scripted titles linking to Star Wars and Marvel are key to building its library or original and exclusive titles, unscripted projects are also a vital part of the strategy.

Disney has ordered five new unscripted projects, with one of them examining the libel case that saw Coleen Rooney against Rebekah Vardy. Rooney defended herself against a defamation case that Vardy brought against her related to alleged leaking of stories to the tabloid press. Her notorious Instagram post in October 2019, in which she explained how she planted fake stories to expose Vardy, set off the dispute – and earned her the nickname “Wagatha Christie”.

Disney’s three-part series – produced by Lorton Entertainment in association with Dorothy Street Pictures – will delve into the case.

“Our aim was to find brilliant once-in-a-lifetime stories that showcase a wide range of subjects; and these latest projects truly deliver on that promise,” said Disney+ Director of Unscripted Content for EMEA Sean Doyle. “We’re working with our elite creative partners on this slate, reflecting the UK’s status as an unscripted powerhouse and establishing Disney+ as a destination for unscripted titles.”

Also given the green light is Brawn: The One Pound Formula 1 Team (working title), a four-part doc series from All3Media that will see Keanu Reeves tell the story of the independent British Formula 1 team that won the 2009 World Championship but only cost £1.

Simon Hammerson is showrunner and producer, with Daryl Goodrich directing.

In Vogue: The 1990s will chart the inside story of the eponymous fashion magazine and the style of the era. Produced by Vogue Studios and Raw, it will feature insights from Vogue editors Anna Wintour and Edward Enninful and other key figures from the 90s.

Camden is a four-part original documentary series, from Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn’s Lightbox and Amy director Asif Kapadia. Day One Pictures, the production company co-founded by Amy Winehouse’s original manager Nick Shymansky, Jasper Waller-Bridge and Ben Friedman, is also attached.

The documentary will look at how the North London area has been a launchpad for many of modern music’s most iconic stars – and how it has broken some other careers along the way.

Kapadia said: “I’m a born and bred North Londoner and Camden has been a key part of my life; I’ve had all sorts of experiences there: good, great… and edgy. This series celebrates an ever-evolving music scene in a unique place which has always been at the forefront of counterculture and has a musical legacy to match anywhere in the world. I am delighted to be working with Lightbox and Day One and we are hugely excited that Disney+ has given us a global platform for to tell this special story.”

Kapadia is series director, with Gaby Aung the producer.

Finally, Finding Michael is one-off documentary about Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, who is trying to locate his brother, who disappeared 23 years ago at the age of 22 after becoming the youngest Briton to reach the mountain’s summit.

Shine TV is co-producing with The Natural Studios, the joint venture of Shine parent Banijay and Bear Grylls.

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