Achmed Akkabi and Prime Video Sign First-Look Deal in the Netherlands

The actor, writer, and producer will create, develop, and star in Dutch shows exclusively for Prime Video, joining an international cohort of talent with similar agreements such as Donald Glover, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Steve McQueen
 

LONDON—23 May, 2022—Prime Video today announced an exclusive first-look agreement with one of the Netherland’s most exciting writers and producers, Achmed Akkabi, creator, showrunner, and star of gritty crime series Mocro Maffia.

The three-year agreement will entail the creation of new Original scripted concepts as a showrunner, writer, script consultant, executive producer, and actor. This follows similar international deals with talent such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), Steve McQueen (Small Axe), Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Donald Glover (Mr. & Ms. Smith), and Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea), among others.

“I am overjoyed with this collaboration and already feel like I’m part of the Prime Video family,” said Achmed. “It will be an absolute pleasure to introduce Prime Video audiences to the most exciting talent our country has to offer and I look forward to continue the ambition to help elevate Dutch drama on a global scale.”

“Collaborating with leading local talent is an expansion of our commitment to delivering a curated and elevated slate of Originals for our local audiences across Europe,” said Georgia Brown, head of European Originals, Amazon Studios. “It is a joy to announce our partnership with Achmed, who has been captivating audiences globally with his stunning series Mocro Maffia. We can’t wait to work with him on bringing more original and compelling hits to Prime Video audiences.”

"At Prime Video, we are looking to work with original voices that offer a local point of view that connects with our audience," added Jacomien Nijhof, head of Netherlands Originals, Amazon Studios. "Achmed Akkabi is an exceptional and compelling storyteller and actor. Over the last few years he has brought stories to audiences that had never been told before, and used his shows to bring fresh talent from underrepresented backgrounds to the screen. I am thrilled that Achmed is joining Prime Video and we’ll be able to offer new stories to our audiences in the Netherlands, and beyond."

Achmed Akkabi is the showrunner and creative producer of four seasons of the gritty crime series Mocro Maffia (Winner, Gouden Kalf for Best TV Drama, Netherlands Film Festival), which is currently streaming in multiple countries including the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Japan. He founded his own production company, TebberNekkel, in 2016.

Born in the Hague to Moroccan parents, Akkabi starred in the successful children’s TV series Het Huis Anubis and the French-American movie Whatever Lola Wants before being cast in his first leading role in the Dutch movie Alibi.

He also starred in the award-winning movie Rabat, which was noted as the first movie to portray young Dutch-Moroccan men in a nuanced and sympathetic way, dealing with the complex and sensitive topic of immigration, which had been underrepresented in film.

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