Element Pictures and Sinestra co-producing

Disney+ has ordered a romantic comedy drama from Normal People indie Element Pictures and Chernobyl creatives Johan Renck and Michael Parets.

Six-part Mad Love (w/t) follows Maddy Caruso, a British wedding planner with an eclectic list of clients in the Italian countryside. Maddy is sought after for her abilities to make the impossible happen and to read her demanding clients like a book. However, little do those around her know she has a secret.

Maddy fled London in shame after doing something unforgivable with the first man she’s ever had feelings for.

Mad Love (w/t) is produced by Fremantle-owned Element and Sinestra, the indie set up by Renck and Parets, and was commissioned by Angela Jain, head of content, Disney+ EMEA, and Lee Mason, vice-president, scripted, Disney+ EMEA.

It is written and created by playwright Kate Cortesi, who exec produces alongside Christopher Aird, Chelsea Morgan Hoffmann, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element, and Parets and Renck for Sinestra; and Hilary Martin for Fremantle.

Mason said: “Kate Cortesi’s writing is incisive, authentic and uproariously funny, and we’re thrilled to bring her refreshingly honest take on the romantic comedy-drama to Disney+.

“Together with the brilliant teams at Element and Sinestra, Mad Love is exactly the kind of bold, distinctive storytelling we want to champion as we continue to grow our UK originals slate.”

Parets added: “Kate Cortesi has x-ray vision. She sees characters for who they are, not just who they want to be. It has been so much fun to see her apply her superpowers to the world of Mad Love (w/t), where she has crafted a messy, honest and incredibly fun playground for love and heartbreak alongside our brilliant partners at Element and Disney+.”