Sally Blake Turns Sean Connery Doc into Global Hit with Sky and Canal Plus

Sally Blake has been named Deputy Director of CAPA, the Paris‑based factual film and TV production company that is part of the Studio TFI group. In early September, Blake joined CAPA to spearhead an international expansion strategy while continuing to oversee its growing slate of documentaries.

CAPA is developing **“Sean Connery: The Untold Story,”** a feature‑length documentary that promises unprecedented behind‑the‑scenes insight into the life of the late Scottish actor.

The film is being directed by French journalist Stéphanie Renouvin, who is the granddaughter of Connery and his second wife, French‑Moroccan painter Micheline Roquebrune. The project is a coproduction with Canal Plus and Sky has come on board in the UK, with London‑based Embankment and Glasgow‑based Boy 313 also listed as partners.

## Background & Context

CAPA, headquartered in Paris, specializes in factual content and operates under the umbrella of Studio TFI. Since its inception in 2009, the company has partnered with broadcasters such as France Télévisions and international platforms like Arte.

Over the past decade, CAPA has built a reputation for blending rigorous research with cinematic storytelling, producing documentaries that range from intimate biopics to investigative series.

The company’s portfolio includes acclaimed titles such as **“The Quiet Storm”** (2014), which explored the hidden world of European musicians, and **“Beyond the Lens”** (2018), a docu‑drama that followed a group of amateur photographers across Africa.

These projects demonstrated CAPA’s ability to navigate multiple markets, securing distribution deals in France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Blake, who was appointed to her new role in early September, will work closely with CAPA Managing Director Patrice Lorton. Her stated goal is to “internationalize” the company’s activities and forge ties with new territories and funding sources.

She emphasized the need to seek “sneaky” financing options while maintaining high production standards—a strategy that reflects CAPA’s history of creative budgeting, often leveraging tax incentives in Luxembourg and the UK.

Renouvin first explored the Connery legacy in 2022 with a French‑audience‑focused mini‑series titled **“Mme Sean Connery,”** which centered on her grandmother, Micheline Roquebrune. That series laid the groundwork for the upcoming feature by blending personal family history with broader cinematic storytelling.

The new documentary builds on that intimate foundation while aiming for a worldwide reach.

## What People Are Saying

“Sean Connery is definitely universal while Stéphanie’s connection to the subject gives it a good anchor in France. That’s a perfect example of something that can speak across audiences,” Blake says, speaking to just days after her appointment.

Blake highlighted the director’s lineage as a key element that will resonate with French viewers and attract global interest. She also noted that CAPA is the largest documentary production company in France, “really well known, really well established and producing for all the platforms and all the channels.”

“I’ve been a producer with CAPA for a few years and was an independent producer previously, both in Canada and in France, so I have built up a big network for making international coproductions… the main reasons that they’ve given me this job is to push the international angle,” says Blake of her new role.

She pointed to recent releases, such as the true‑crime series **“From Rock Star to Killer”** and the docu‑drama **“November 13, Sonia’s Choice,”** as evidence of CAPA’s appetite for compelling storytelling across platforms. Blake also expressed enthusiasm for the emerging docu‑drama format, calling it an “innovative hybrid film.”

### Fan Reaction

The announcement has already sparked a wave of excitement among Sean Connery fans worldwide. On dedicated fan forums and social media groups, fans praised the idea of a documentary that not only examines Connery’s cinematic legacy but also his off‑screen life.

One long‑time fan wrote: “Finally, something that looks at the man behind the iconic roles—this will be a treasure trove for us.”

The French audience responded with particular enthusiasm. A viewer in Lyon noted, “Seeing Stéphanie Renouvin direct this story feels like a personal tribute from the family. It’s going to be a beautiful blend of history and emotion.”

Industry observers also commented on the project's potential to attract diverse audiences. “Combining a globally recognized star with a French director who has personal ties to the subject creates a unique selling point,” said a well‑known film critic.

This sentiment echoes CAPA’s broader strategy of pairing universal themes with local perspectives to maximize global appeal.

## Industry Impact

CAPA’s expansion signals a broader trend in European documentary production: the move toward cross‑border coproductions that leverage tax incentives, diverse funding streams, and shared creative expertise.

By partnering with Canal Plus and Sky, CAPA is positioning the Sean Connery project within two of the largest distribution networks in Europe, ensuring that the documentary will reach both high‑end cable audiences and streaming subscribers.

The film’s hybrid docu‑drama elements—blending archival footage with reenactments—align with a growing appetite for immersive storytelling. This approach not only heightens emotional engagement but also offers production flexibility, allowing CAPA to negotiate smaller budgets without sacrificing narrative depth.

the choice of a biographical subject like Sean Connery taps into the ongoing “celebrity‑doc” boom. Viewers have shown a keen interest in narratives that reveal the private lives of public figures, and CAPA’s track record in this arena gives the project an additional layer of credibility.

## What Happens Next

With Canal Plus already committed and Sky joining on the UK side, the documentary is moving into pre‑production phases. Blake also announced that other projects with strong international potential, like the compost‑themed hybrid **“Compost,”** are underway.

“Being developed as a hybrid for the French market, it delves into the ecosystem and drama of a compost heap,” she explained, noting that the natural history component can travel to any market.

Despite recent funding squeezes and shifts in public broadcaster budgets, Blake remains optimistic.

She said, “People are always looking for keys to decrypt the world, and the world is just getting scarier and more confusing, so I think there’s always going to be an interest in documentary.” The next steps for the Sean Connery project will involve securing final financing, beginning location scouting, and scheduling filming with the support of the co‑producers.

CAPA’s new Deputy Director is positioning the company to expand its global footprint while delivering fresh, compelling content that resonates with audiences both in France and beyond.

By marrying a universal icon with a deeply personal narrative voice, the documentary exemplifies how thoughtful storytelling can bridge cultural divides and create enduring cinematic experiences.