Robert Franke is leaving his role as VP, Drama at ZDF Studios after ten years with the German pubcaster’s commercial division.
He will partially remain within the ZDF family as Co-Managing Director of Intaglio Films, the joint venture ZDF Studios operates with Beta Film. He begins in 2026. Franke has been in post as Intaglio alongside Co-Managing Director Jan Wünschmann since 2018.
Tim Gerhartz, ZDF Studios’ Chief Commercial Officer, will lead the ZDF Studios drama division in the interim. The unit oversees scripted output, international co-productions and original development.
Robert Franke added: “After more than ten rewarding years with the company, it is time for me to redefine my priorities. Expanding my role at Intaglio Films brings together the core aspects of my previous work while giving me the freedom to focus on topics that will shape my work in the coming years. At the same time, it opens up opportunities to set new impulses beyond traditional production business. I would like to thank my team and ZDF Studios for their trust and collaboration over the past years.”
Under Franke’s leadership, ZDF has become a key international co-productions player in Europe – notably as part of The Alliance, the three-broadcaster team that also includes France Télévisions and Rai in Italy. They have collectively ordered shows such as Around the World in Eighty Days and The Swarm, the latter of which counted Intaglio as a producer. He also oversaw the rollout of The Bridge and other key European dramas of the past decade.
Dr. Markus Schäfer, President and CEO of ZDF Studios, commented: “For ten years, Robert Franke has successfully overseen the development, financing, and distribution of fictional programming at ZDF Studios. Under his leadership, our fiction business has grown significantly. Through targeted investments in new content and the expansion into new business areas and clients, Robert and his team have continuously increased our business volume.
“We respect his wish to refocus on his producing talents and are delighted that he will bring his deep expertise and experience in developing and financing international fiction projects to Intaglio Films. Robert leaves behind a well-positioned division that Tim Gerhartz, together with the team, will continue to strengthen in this key genre.”
This marks the second major exit from ZDF Studios’ drama wing this year. In June, Deadline revealed Yi Qiao was exiting her international commissioning role for a post in the ZDF network team.
