Sky Studios and The Apartment, the Fremantle-owned production company headed by Lorenzo Mieli, have forged a multi-year development and production partnership. The deal marks Sky’s first agreement of this type outside the U.K.

Under the deal, Sky Studios will provide The Apartment development funding for a minimum of three shows alongside a commitment to produce. Speaking to Variety, Sky Studios CEO Gary Davey underlined that the objective is the research of international projects. The agreement, which is non-exclusive, strengthens the existing tie between Mieli and Sky that started with Paolo Sorrentino’s The Young Pope. Davey called the agreement with The Apartment as part of the broader remit of Sky Studios to step up not only the level of investment, but also investment into their own internal capability, and to bring strong partnerships with people in the creative community.