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Banijay to Launch Dating Reality Format ‘Date Knight’ at Mipcom (EXCLUSIVE)
Banijay Entertainment has unveiled "Date Knight," a new dating reality format that will be showcased at the Mipcom television market. The innovative show, produced by Nordisk Film TV for Danish broadcaster DR, applies the growing cultural trend of "romantasy" roleplay to dating, offering a distinctive approach to the saturated dating reality genre.
The format places single contestants in a fantasy world where they adopt personas as knights, elves, witches and warriors, meeting and dating entirely in character before gradually revealing their true selves. Guided by DR P3 radio host Jannik Schouw and couples therapist Julie Houe, the show explores whether roleplay-based interactions—grounded in research showing it can boost confidence and empathy—can lead to genuine romantic connections that survive beyond the initial fantasy setting. "Date Knight" joins Banijay's broader Mipcom 2026 slate of new titles.
In short
- Banijay launches fantasy-themed dating format "Date Knight" at Mipcom market.
- Contestants date in roleplay personas before revealing true selves.
- Format explores whether romantasy roleplay creates authentic romantic connections.
Explained simply
Banijay Entertainment is an international television company that produces and distributes programmes, while Nordisk Film TV makes shows for broadcasters in the Nordic countries. DR is Denmark’s public service broadcaster. Mipcom is a major annual market where television companies present programmes to buyers from around the world.
Dating reality shows bring single people together on camera to see whether relationships develop. Fantasy roleplay lets people take on imagined characters; “romantasy” refers to stories and settings that mix romance with fantasy. The format combines these ideas, with contestants meeting in character before showing more of who they are outside the fantasy.
The show’s premise raises a question familiar to dating programmes: whether an initial attraction can develop into a lasting connection. Its planned appearance at Mipcom also puts it before international buyers considering programmes for their own markets.
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