Darin Darakananda Launches ‘Comedy Island,’ Talks Prime Video’s Thailand Strategy: ‘Trusted Genres, but With a Twist’ (EXCLUSIVE)
variety.comPatrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Almost exactly a year after Amazon’s Prime Video officially set foot in Thailand, the company is this week launching its first locally-made ‘original.’ Produced for the streamer by Liminal Entertainment in conjunction with Malin Films Production, and executive produced by Jef Lim, Marilyn Tan and Malin Pongsapipatt, the show follows six well-known actors to an almost utopian island, where the only thing missing is laughter.
The celebrities are tasked with performing improvised skits to lift the locals’ gross happiness index. The series launches on Thursday, delivering the first three of its six episodes.
Darin Darakananda, Amazon Studios’ head of Thailand originals, calls the show “a commitment to the local creative community.” She expands on that theme in conversation with Variety. What is the Prime Video strategy in Thailand?As we’ve done in multiple territories, we want to come in and wow the audience with all the content that we’re creating.
In Thailand, we’re zeroing in on a strategy of four content pillars: Korean content, which we know works really well in Thailand; [Japanese] anime; our Hollywood offerings and bigger global shows; and what my team does, which is the local originals. How far have you got in Thailand?We are a newer player.
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