Speaking at a panel held at the Mia Market in Rome, Netflix execs laid out a European strategy based on cultural and regional specificity alongside wider international format exchange.
“We want to create stories that are really rooted in our country’s culture and tradition,” said Italian content VP Eleonora Andreatta. “[And in order] to be authentic, that means recognizing the differences between one part of the country to the other.”
While Netflix’s recently wrapped adaptation of “The Leopard” is steeped in Sicilian history, the Matilda De Angelis-led returning series “The Law According to Lidia Poët” finds female emancipation in 19th century Turin. And if both titles look backward, both also share an impetus to shade Italian history in a more modern light.
Per Andreatta, Italian cinema’s glorious dolce vita boom had also left a bitter aftertaste by way of cultural stereotypes that lingered for years. Andreatta and her Rome-based...
“We want to create stories that are really rooted in our country’s culture and tradition,” said Italian content VP Eleonora Andreatta. “[And in order] to be authentic, that means recognizing the differences between one part of the country to the other.”
While Netflix’s recently wrapped adaptation of “The Leopard” is steeped in Sicilian history, the Matilda De Angelis-led returning series “The Law According to Lidia Poët” finds female emancipation in 19th century Turin. And if both titles look backward, both also share an impetus to shade Italian history in a more modern light.
Per Andreatta, Italian cinema’s glorious dolce vita boom had also left a bitter aftertaste by way of cultural stereotypes that lingered for years. Andreatta and her Rome-based...
- 10/13/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has ordered a sequel to “Troll,” the Norwegian action-adventure film directed by Roar Uthaug, who helmed Norway’s first disaster movie, “The Wave.”
“Troll 2” reteams Uthaug (“Tomb Raider”) with writer Espen Aukan and producers Espen Horn and Kristian Strand Sinkerud at Motion Blur, the Oslo-based banner whose credits include “Cadaver,” “Amundsen” and “The 12th Man.”
The first installment unfolds in the aftermath of an explosion in the Norwegian mountains, which awakens an ancient troll. The story revolves around a fearless paleontologist who embarks on a journey to stop the troll from wreaking deadly havoc. The cast included Ine Marie Wilmann, Kim Falck, Mads Pettersen and Gard B. Eidsvold.
“Troll” premiered globally on Netflix in 2022 and quickly became the streamer’s most popular non-English film of all time, with a record-breaking 103,000,000 views in its first 91 days, according to Netflix. The epic movie also ranked in the Top 10 in 93 countries...
“Troll 2” reteams Uthaug (“Tomb Raider”) with writer Espen Aukan and producers Espen Horn and Kristian Strand Sinkerud at Motion Blur, the Oslo-based banner whose credits include “Cadaver,” “Amundsen” and “The 12th Man.”
The first installment unfolds in the aftermath of an explosion in the Norwegian mountains, which awakens an ancient troll. The story revolves around a fearless paleontologist who embarks on a journey to stop the troll from wreaking deadly havoc. The cast included Ine Marie Wilmann, Kim Falck, Mads Pettersen and Gard B. Eidsvold.
“Troll” premiered globally on Netflix in 2022 and quickly became the streamer’s most popular non-English film of all time, with a record-breaking 103,000,000 views in its first 91 days, according to Netflix. The epic movie also ranked in the Top 10 in 93 countries...
- 9/19/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Ten years after their global success with Lilyhammer, Netflix today confirms that creators Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin and production company Rubicon will return to Netflix with the Norwegian drama series Salmon Island (working title). The series is set to be directed by Marit Moum Aune (Made in Oslo). In Salmon Island we meet two families in a small coastal community in Norway, who are sworn enemies in the global salmon industry. The series, which taps into the contemporary zeitgeist, delivers a funny as well as dramatic portrait of the fish farming business. “Over the last few decades, fish farming has changed both the Norwegian coast and international food culture. The time feels right for a television drama about the operators in the industry, and it’s amazing that a global streaming service like Netflix has the guts to tell such a locally grounded story. We’re pleased to be...
- 4/3/2023
- by Thomas Miller
- Seat42F
Netflix is set to reteam with Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin, the creators of the popular crime comedy series “Lilyhammer,” on a new Norwegian program, with the working title “Salmon Island.”
The series is set up at leading Norwegian production banner Rubicon and will be helmed by Marit Moum Aune (“Made in Oslo”), who also serves as a conceptual director on the series.
“Salmon Island” takes place in a small coastal community in Norway and revolves around two families who are sworn enemies in the global salmon industry. The contemporary series delivers a portrait of the fish farming business, weaving together comedy and drama.
“Over the last few decades, fish farming has changed both the Norwegian coast and international food culture,” said Bjørnstad and Skodvin, who also penned the series.
“The time feels right for a television drama about the operators in the industry. It’s amazing that a global...
The series is set up at leading Norwegian production banner Rubicon and will be helmed by Marit Moum Aune (“Made in Oslo”), who also serves as a conceptual director on the series.
“Salmon Island” takes place in a small coastal community in Norway and revolves around two families who are sworn enemies in the global salmon industry. The contemporary series delivers a portrait of the fish farming business, weaving together comedy and drama.
“Over the last few decades, fish farming has changed both the Norwegian coast and international food culture,” said Bjørnstad and Skodvin, who also penned the series.
“The time feels right for a television drama about the operators in the industry. It’s amazing that a global...
- 4/3/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Turns out, the “end of an era” at Netflix was a false alarm.
Following recent reports that “Lilyhammer” would be leaving the service following the expiration of a 10-year licensing agreement, Netflix has closed a last minute deal to continue streaming the show. The news was revealed to IndieWire by Netflix, and means that all 24 episodes of Netflix’s first original series will continue to be available to subscribers.
“Lilyhammer” starred longtime E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt as a mobster who relocates to rural Norway after entering the witness protection program. The series was produced in Norway (Van Zandt was the only American cast member) and aired on the local TV channel NRK1. Netflix entered an agreement to stream “Lilyhammer” for 10 years, but the license was set to expire this month. Had a deal not been reached, “Lilyhammer” would have left the service in December.
“I am very...
Following recent reports that “Lilyhammer” would be leaving the service following the expiration of a 10-year licensing agreement, Netflix has closed a last minute deal to continue streaming the show. The news was revealed to IndieWire by Netflix, and means that all 24 episodes of Netflix’s first original series will continue to be available to subscribers.
“Lilyhammer” starred longtime E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt as a mobster who relocates to rural Norway after entering the witness protection program. The series was produced in Norway (Van Zandt was the only American cast member) and aired on the local TV channel NRK1. Netflix entered an agreement to stream “Lilyhammer” for 10 years, but the license was set to expire this month. Had a deal not been reached, “Lilyhammer” would have left the service in December.
“I am very...
- 11/21/2022
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
The end of an era is upon us. The first Netflix Original series, which paved the way for the streamer's continued success, is saying farewell. Thinking back to the earlier days of this streaming service, it's probably zeitgeisty titles like "House of Cards" and "Orange Is the New Black" that come to mind, and while both debuted nearly a decade ago, quickly garnered popularity and won lots of new subscribers for the fledgling streamer, neither holds the title of first Netflix Original. That honor goes to "Lilyhammer," the Norwegian mob comedy that first arrived in February 2012.
Back in those days, Netflix had around 23 million paid subscribers. Now, it boasts upwards of 223 million, and its expansive library of original series plays a huge role in that number. But none of that ever would have happened without "Lilyhammer" coming first. Netflix 2.0 officially kicked off when the streamer made the leap into debuting original content.
Back in those days, Netflix had around 23 million paid subscribers. Now, it boasts upwards of 223 million, and its expansive library of original series plays a huge role in that number. But none of that ever would have happened without "Lilyhammer" coming first. Netflix 2.0 officially kicked off when the streamer made the leap into debuting original content.
- 10/26/2022
- by Shania Russell
- Slash Film
Netflix has been in the original programming business for a whole decade now, as Feb. 6, 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the premiere of “Lilyhammer” on the streaming service. On Sunday, Netflix co-ceo Ted Sarandos released an essay commemorating the anniversary and reflecting on the company’s roots in content for international audiences.
“Looking back, ‘Lilyhammer’ was perhaps an unorthodox choice for our first show. But it worked because it was a deeply local story that we could share with the world,” Sarandos wrote. “The jokes and references worked locally and the more universal themes of the shows traveled perfectly. Since then, we’ve seen so many great local stories resonate with people in other countries and from other cultures: shows and films set anywhere and told in any language.”
Although Netflix’s premiere Hollywood shake-up came with “House of Cards,” which the streamer ordered as a series before picking up “Lilyhammer,...
“Looking back, ‘Lilyhammer’ was perhaps an unorthodox choice for our first show. But it worked because it was a deeply local story that we could share with the world,” Sarandos wrote. “The jokes and references worked locally and the more universal themes of the shows traveled perfectly. Since then, we’ve seen so many great local stories resonate with people in other countries and from other cultures: shows and films set anywhere and told in any language.”
Although Netflix’s premiere Hollywood shake-up came with “House of Cards,” which the streamer ordered as a series before picking up “Lilyhammer,...
- 2/6/2022
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
On Feb 6, 2012, Lilyhammer, starring The Sopranos and E Street Band’s Stevie Van Zandt, marked the first original series to premiere on Netflix and introduced the binge model of releasing full TV seasons at once. The streamer’s co-ceo Ted Sarandos marked the anniversary with an essay posted on Netflix’s Web site and a video chat with Van Zandt in which the two reminisce about how the show got on Netflix and its legacy.
There is an asterisk to Lilyhammer‘s place in Netflix’s history. As Sarandos and Van Zandt admit in the video, House Of Cards was the first original series ordered by Netflix in a mega deal that shook up Hollywood. It was that news that prompted Van Zandt to seek a meeting with Sarandos. At the time, Lilyhammer already had a completed first season, so Netflix acquired a finished show that leapfrogged House Of Cards to the air.
There is an asterisk to Lilyhammer‘s place in Netflix’s history. As Sarandos and Van Zandt admit in the video, House Of Cards was the first original series ordered by Netflix in a mega deal that shook up Hollywood. It was that news that prompted Van Zandt to seek a meeting with Sarandos. At the time, Lilyhammer already had a completed first season, so Netflix acquired a finished show that leapfrogged House Of Cards to the air.
- 2/6/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Ivar Køhn, head of drama at Norwegian public broadcaster Nrk since 2013, will be joining Banijay Nordic’s scripted label Rubicon as its Chief Executive Officer.
Announced by Banijay Nordic on Monday, the appointment marks big news for Scandinavia’s TV sector as it prepares to gather tomorrow at Sweden’s Göteborg Festival for its annual TV Drama Vision confab.
Under Kohn’s leadership, Nrk emerged from the shadow of Denmarks’s Dr by producing a string of international hits such as, just recently, International Emmy winner “Atlantic Crossing,” Canneseries 2018 laureate “State of Happiness” and “22 July,” which won a Nordisk Film and TV Fond Prize in 2020.
Most recently for Nrk, Izer Aliu’s “Countrymen,” a Rubicon production, picked up a Canneseries award last October for its ensemble cast, plus a nomination for this week’s Nordisk Film and TV Fond Prize.
An institution in Norway, Køhn spent six years before joining...
Announced by Banijay Nordic on Monday, the appointment marks big news for Scandinavia’s TV sector as it prepares to gather tomorrow at Sweden’s Göteborg Festival for its annual TV Drama Vision confab.
Under Kohn’s leadership, Nrk emerged from the shadow of Denmarks’s Dr by producing a string of international hits such as, just recently, International Emmy winner “Atlantic Crossing,” Canneseries 2018 laureate “State of Happiness” and “22 July,” which won a Nordisk Film and TV Fond Prize in 2020.
Most recently for Nrk, Izer Aliu’s “Countrymen,” a Rubicon production, picked up a Canneseries award last October for its ensemble cast, plus a nomination for this week’s Nordisk Film and TV Fond Prize.
An institution in Norway, Køhn spent six years before joining...
- 1/31/2022
- by John Hopewell and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
At the end of its first season, “Beforeigners” had a choice to make: treat the time-traveling premise of the show as a single massive difference between the world of the show and ours or use the possibility of hopping centuries as a starting point to go even bigger. Heavily inferring that the one of the series’ main characters once went backwards a millennium or so as a child was the first big sign that the HBO Max series was always going to go with the second option for Season 2.
From the outset of the series, “Beforeigners” proved it was willing to be expedient in the name of showing the most interesting parts of the world it made for itself. We see a “trans-temporal” group of people mysteriously appearing in an Oslo-area harbor. Within minutes, the show skips to a near future where an entire infrastructure is in place to help...
From the outset of the series, “Beforeigners” proved it was willing to be expedient in the name of showing the most interesting parts of the world it made for itself. We see a “trans-temporal” group of people mysteriously appearing in an Oslo-area harbor. Within minutes, the show skips to a near future where an entire infrastructure is in place to help...
- 1/28/2022
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
[This post originally appeared as part of Recommendation Machine, IndieWire’s daily TV picks feature.]
Where to Watch ‘Beforeigners’: HBO Max
TV is littered with “what if” stories — worlds that take our own and add one huge change. Often, that means organizing a show around one massive mystery or event and following the people left to parse the aftermath.
The main thing that separates “Beforeigners” from other shows like it is the massive time jump it takes in its very first episode. After introducing its inherently hook-y premise — groups of people from centuries, and even millennia, past pop up in the water outside present-day Oslo — the show immediately chooses to spend its time in a world where that new reality isn’t as unfamiliar. Tensions still run high in certain corners, but the intervening years have brought new institutional changes for daily life in the Norwegian capital. Runes appear on public signage, new terms (both preferred and derogatory) emerge to describe the newcomers,...
Where to Watch ‘Beforeigners’: HBO Max
TV is littered with “what if” stories — worlds that take our own and add one huge change. Often, that means organizing a show around one massive mystery or event and following the people left to parse the aftermath.
The main thing that separates “Beforeigners” from other shows like it is the massive time jump it takes in its very first episode. After introducing its inherently hook-y premise — groups of people from centuries, and even millennia, past pop up in the water outside present-day Oslo — the show immediately chooses to spend its time in a world where that new reality isn’t as unfamiliar. Tensions still run high in certain corners, but the intervening years have brought new institutional changes for daily life in the Norwegian capital. Runes appear on public signage, new terms (both preferred and derogatory) emerge to describe the newcomers,...
- 12/6/2021
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Here’s a trailer for the second season of Beforeigners, HBO Max’s debut original from Norway.
The sci-fi drama from Lilyhammer’s Eilif Skodvin and Anne Bjørnstad is introducing a wealth of new international cast members for the second season, including Paul Kaye (Game of Thrones) Ann Akin (I May Destroy You), Jade Anouka (His Dark Materials), Billy Postlethwaite (Chernobyl), Hedda Stiernstedt (The Restaurant) and Philip Rosch (The Alienist). Krista Kosonen and Nicolai Cleve Broch will reprise their roles as main characters Alfhildr and Lars and Tobias Santelmann (The Last Kingdom) will return as Olav the Holy.
The series starts with Oslo shaken by a brutal murder. Lars and Alfhildr are brought back together in an investigation with ties to several countries and centuries which raises the question: could Jack the Ripper have ‘timeigrated’ to the present? Police detectives, Lars and Alfhildr soon realize that if they are to capture the killer,...
The sci-fi drama from Lilyhammer’s Eilif Skodvin and Anne Bjørnstad is introducing a wealth of new international cast members for the second season, including Paul Kaye (Game of Thrones) Ann Akin (I May Destroy You), Jade Anouka (His Dark Materials), Billy Postlethwaite (Chernobyl), Hedda Stiernstedt (The Restaurant) and Philip Rosch (The Alienist). Krista Kosonen and Nicolai Cleve Broch will reprise their roles as main characters Alfhildr and Lars and Tobias Santelmann (The Last Kingdom) will return as Olav the Holy.
The series starts with Oslo shaken by a brutal murder. Lars and Alfhildr are brought back together in an investigation with ties to several countries and centuries which raises the question: could Jack the Ripper have ‘timeigrated’ to the present? Police detectives, Lars and Alfhildr soon realize that if they are to capture the killer,...
- 11/16/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Banijay has boarded “Countrymen,” a new drama series produced by its Norwegian label, Rubicon, with a cast of Scandinavian stars, including Nader Khademi (“Ninjababy”), Ayaz Hussain (“Kasim Bæder”), Jonas Strand Gravli (“Ragnarok”) Arben Bala (“Lilyhammer”) and Erika Strand Mamelund.
The show will world premiere at Cannes Series and has been commissioned by the public broadcaster Nrk, in co-production with Arte France. Banijay Rights will handle world sales on the eight-part series.
“Countrymen” follows four men who move to a farm in the rural Norwegian countryside and end up founding Norway’s first halal cheesemaking business more or less against their will.
Award-winning director and screenwriter Izer Aliu (“Hunting Files”), created and penned the series along with Rubicon’s Anne Bjørnstad.
“This metaphoric concept will get people talking here in Norway, and also resonate with global audiences,” said Anne Bjørnstad, Rubicon’s creative director (with Eilif Skodvin). “This high-quality series has...
The show will world premiere at Cannes Series and has been commissioned by the public broadcaster Nrk, in co-production with Arte France. Banijay Rights will handle world sales on the eight-part series.
“Countrymen” follows four men who move to a farm in the rural Norwegian countryside and end up founding Norway’s first halal cheesemaking business more or less against their will.
Award-winning director and screenwriter Izer Aliu (“Hunting Files”), created and penned the series along with Rubicon’s Anne Bjørnstad.
“This metaphoric concept will get people talking here in Norway, and also resonate with global audiences,” said Anne Bjørnstad, Rubicon’s creative director (with Eilif Skodvin). “This high-quality series has...
- 9/21/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Disney Appoints Apac Chief
Disney has named Luke Kang as President, Asia Pacific, following the departure of Uday Shankar, which was announced in October and becomes effective from December 31. Kang will not, however, be taking on Shankar’s responsibilities in India, with a separate appointment set to be made for the territory by Rebecca Campbell, Chairman, International Operations and Direct-to-Consumer for Disney. Kang will oversee the studio’s business in Australia/New Zealand, Greater China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia.
‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Heads To Amazon
Animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks will premiere on Amazon Prime Video in numerous international regions including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Japan, and India. All 10 episodes of the first season, which is produced by CBS, will launch on January 22, 2021. Directed by Mike McMahan, the show focuses on the supporting crew serving on one of Starfleet’s least important ships; Tawny Newsome,...
Disney has named Luke Kang as President, Asia Pacific, following the departure of Uday Shankar, which was announced in October and becomes effective from December 31. Kang will not, however, be taking on Shankar’s responsibilities in India, with a separate appointment set to be made for the territory by Rebecca Campbell, Chairman, International Operations and Direct-to-Consumer for Disney. Kang will oversee the studio’s business in Australia/New Zealand, Greater China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia.
‘Star Trek: Lower Decks’ Heads To Amazon
Animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks will premiere on Amazon Prime Video in numerous international regions including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Japan, and India. All 10 episodes of the first season, which is produced by CBS, will launch on January 22, 2021. Directed by Mike McMahan, the show focuses on the supporting crew serving on one of Starfleet’s least important ships; Tawny Newsome,...
- 12/17/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Haugesund, Norway — HBO Europe’s first Norwegian original series, which debuted Aug. 21 exclusively across HBO’s territories, has garnered rave reviews in the Norwegian press. It is also a perfect fit for HBO’s brand and goal to create bold, smart and author-driven shows.
Produced by Endemol Shine’s Norwegian prodco Rubicon TV, “Beforeigners” is helmed by Jens Lien. The backdrop for the six-part series is a not so far future. A new phenomenon starts happening all over the world. As flashes of light occur in the ocean, people from the past -the stoneage, the Viking age, and the late 1800s- called Beforeigners, mysteriously start to appear. A few years later, Alfhildr (“Blade Runner 2049”’s Krista Kosonen) who comes from the Viking Age has joined the local police force’s integration program, and becomes the side-kick to Lars Haaland and were looking for fresh ideas. Sci fi was new...
Produced by Endemol Shine’s Norwegian prodco Rubicon TV, “Beforeigners” is helmed by Jens Lien. The backdrop for the six-part series is a not so far future. A new phenomenon starts happening all over the world. As flashes of light occur in the ocean, people from the past -the stoneage, the Viking age, and the late 1800s- called Beforeigners, mysteriously start to appear. A few years later, Alfhildr (“Blade Runner 2049”’s Krista Kosonen) who comes from the Viking Age has joined the local police force’s integration program, and becomes the side-kick to Lars Haaland and were looking for fresh ideas. Sci fi was new...
- 8/23/2019
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
HBO has released the first international trailer for its quirky Norwegian sci-fi drama Beforeigners. The series, which comes out of HBO Europe and stars Blade Runner 2049’s Krista Kosonen and Aquitted’s Nicolai Cleve Broch, is to launch on August 21.
The drama, which will be available in the U.S. via the WarnerMedia-owned network’s digital platforms, was created by Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin, the creative team behind Netflix’s Lilyhammer.
It follows a new phenomenon that starts happening all over the world. Powerful flashes of light occur in the ocean, and people from the past appear. They come from three separate time periods: The Stone Age, The Viking era and late 19th Century. No one understands how this is possible, and the people from the past, called ”beforeigners”, have no memory of what’s transpired. Only one thing is certain: they keep coming and there is no way back.
The drama, which will be available in the U.S. via the WarnerMedia-owned network’s digital platforms, was created by Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin, the creative team behind Netflix’s Lilyhammer.
It follows a new phenomenon that starts happening all over the world. Powerful flashes of light occur in the ocean, and people from the past appear. They come from three separate time periods: The Stone Age, The Viking era and late 19th Century. No one understands how this is possible, and the people from the past, called ”beforeigners”, have no memory of what’s transpired. Only one thing is certain: they keep coming and there is no way back.
- 8/19/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
As it continues pulling into the Nordic drama talent pool, HBO Europe has ordered the Norwegian original “Wilderness” (“Utmark” ), an eight-part series created and written by Kim Fupz Aakeson (“In Order of Disappearance”). The award-winning Icelandic director Dagur Kári (“Virgin Mountain”) is helming all eight episodes of the series.
“Wilderness” is a quirky comedy drama set in a small Norwegian town a little north of the middle of nowhere, and revolving around a corrupt sheriff, an alcoholic shepherd, a nature-loving bootlegger, a God-hating pastor and a grieving pimp. The HBO Europe original drama is produced by Finn Gjerdrum and Stein Kvae at Paradox.
“(‘Wilderness’) is bold, at times totally hilarious – and human all the way,” said Hanne Palmquist, the commissioning editor and VP original programming at HBO Nordic. “Kim Fupz has created an original bunch of flawed yet wonderful characters living in a far-flung place where civilization is a choice rather than a given,...
“Wilderness” is a quirky comedy drama set in a small Norwegian town a little north of the middle of nowhere, and revolving around a corrupt sheriff, an alcoholic shepherd, a nature-loving bootlegger, a God-hating pastor and a grieving pimp. The HBO Europe original drama is produced by Finn Gjerdrum and Stein Kvae at Paradox.
“(‘Wilderness’) is bold, at times totally hilarious – and human all the way,” said Hanne Palmquist, the commissioning editor and VP original programming at HBO Nordic. “Kim Fupz has created an original bunch of flawed yet wonderful characters living in a far-flung place where civilization is a choice rather than a given,...
- 7/5/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Kim Fupz Aakeson, writer of Liam Neeson feature Cold Pursuit, has created a quirky Norwegian comedy for HBO Europe. The premium broadcaster has commissioned eight-part series Utmark/Wilderness, which will be directed by Dagur Kári, director of Paul Dano’s The Good Heart.
Aakeson is also behind AMC’s David Schwimmer drama Feed The Beast, which was based on his Danish series Bankerot. It is produced by Finn Gjerdrum and Stein Kvae at Paradox.
Utmark/Wilderness is a quirky comedy drama set in a small Norwegian town a little north of the middle of nowhere. A sheep lies savaged. A dog runs free. A wife leaves her husband. So begins a chain of revenge that entangles a whole town. Corrupt sheriff, alcoholic shepherd, nature-loving bootlegger, God-hating pastor, grieving pimp…everyone knows everyone in this secluded corner of the Nordic North. Now an optimistic new school teacher rolls in, hopeful for a fresh start.
Aakeson is also behind AMC’s David Schwimmer drama Feed The Beast, which was based on his Danish series Bankerot. It is produced by Finn Gjerdrum and Stein Kvae at Paradox.
Utmark/Wilderness is a quirky comedy drama set in a small Norwegian town a little north of the middle of nowhere. A sheep lies savaged. A dog runs free. A wife leaves her husband. So begins a chain of revenge that entangles a whole town. Corrupt sheriff, alcoholic shepherd, nature-loving bootlegger, God-hating pastor, grieving pimp…everyone knows everyone in this secluded corner of the Nordic North. Now an optimistic new school teacher rolls in, hopeful for a fresh start.
- 7/5/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Endemol Shine’s Norwegian comedy The Councilman, from the creators of Netflix’s Lilyhammer, is being remade in Holland.
The series, which is originally produced by Endemol Shine Nordics-backed producer Rubicon, has been commissioned by Dutch broadcaster Bnnvara/NPO3 for a ten-part run produced by Endemol Shine Netherlands.
The comedy, which will be known locally as Harkum, revolves around a small Dutch town where the officials invest civic money in the stock exchange only to receive a shock €700M windfall. It follows what happens to the community when it finds its sudden wealth and the Mayor must ensure that the municipal employees keep both feet on the ground.
Directed by Jelle de Jonge (Tower C), Harkum stars Leny Breederveld (The Louse Mother), Bas Hoeflaak (Snipers), René van ‘t Hof (Flodder), Annet Malherbe (Jiskefet ) and Jelka van Houten (Itch). Elzelien Peters (Itch) and Daan Windhorst (Christmas with the Kuijpers) are responsible for the Dutch editing.
The series, which is originally produced by Endemol Shine Nordics-backed producer Rubicon, has been commissioned by Dutch broadcaster Bnnvara/NPO3 for a ten-part run produced by Endemol Shine Netherlands.
The comedy, which will be known locally as Harkum, revolves around a small Dutch town where the officials invest civic money in the stock exchange only to receive a shock €700M windfall. It follows what happens to the community when it finds its sudden wealth and the Mayor must ensure that the municipal employees keep both feet on the ground.
Directed by Jelle de Jonge (Tower C), Harkum stars Leny Breederveld (The Louse Mother), Bas Hoeflaak (Snipers), René van ‘t Hof (Flodder), Annet Malherbe (Jiskefet ) and Jelka van Houten (Itch). Elzelien Peters (Itch) and Daan Windhorst (Christmas with the Kuijpers) are responsible for the Dutch editing.
- 6/5/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
High-end TV production is booming in Spain.
Leading Spanish director Alex de la Iglesia, whose credits include genre hits The Day Of The Beast, 800 Bullets, Witching And Bitching and The Last Circus, is making an original Spanish-language horror series for HBO Europe called 30 Coins.
De la Iglesia is co-writing the eight-part series with Jorge Guerricaechevarría, best known for Cell 211.
30 Coins is about a priest and exorcist exiled to a small town in the hope his criminal past will be forgotten. But when he is linked to a serious of paranormal events the importance of an ancient silver coin...
Leading Spanish director Alex de la Iglesia, whose credits include genre hits The Day Of The Beast, 800 Bullets, Witching And Bitching and The Last Circus, is making an original Spanish-language horror series for HBO Europe called 30 Coins.
De la Iglesia is co-writing the eight-part series with Jorge Guerricaechevarría, best known for Cell 211.
30 Coins is about a priest and exorcist exiled to a small town in the hope his criminal past will be forgotten. But when he is linked to a serious of paranormal events the importance of an ancient silver coin...
- 2/11/2019
- by Louise Tutt
- ScreenDaily
The global TV drama market is booming with international networks and worldwide Svod platforms moving into original, local scripted production in an unparalleled way. Foreign dramas and comedies are increasingly starting to play in the U.S., on a variety of cable networks and digital platforms, in addition to broadcasters and studios scouring the globe to find the most interesting ideas to translate to North American audiences.
This year’s development season has already seen ABC working up a legal drama with Daniel Dae Kim based on Korean format My Lawyer, Mr Jo., and romantic drama Until The Wedding, based on the eponymous Israeli series, while Fox handed a script commitment to British comedy Sunny D.
The Svod services are also getting involved; Amazon is piloting a Las Vegas-set remake of DJ mockumentary People Just Do Nothing and Apple is finalizing a deal for a Richard Gere-fronted drama based on Israeli drama Nevelot.
This year’s development season has already seen ABC working up a legal drama with Daniel Dae Kim based on Korean format My Lawyer, Mr Jo., and romantic drama Until The Wedding, based on the eponymous Israeli series, while Fox handed a script commitment to British comedy Sunny D.
The Svod services are also getting involved; Amazon is piloting a Las Vegas-set remake of DJ mockumentary People Just Do Nothing and Apple is finalizing a deal for a Richard Gere-fronted drama based on Israeli drama Nevelot.
- 12/28/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The series was created by ’Lilyhammer’ duo Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin.
Shooting has begun on HBO Europe’s Norwegian series Beforeigners, created by Lilyhammer duo Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin.
Directed by Jens Lien (Jonny Vang), the series is produced by Rubicon TV, part of the Endemol Shine Group. HBO greenlit the series in June of this year.
With a cast led by Nicolai Cleve Broch (Acquitted) and Krista Kosonen (Blade Runner 2049), the series sees people from the past - ‘beforeigners’ - appearing when a new light phenomenon starts occurring across the world. The re-appearing people have no memory of what has occurred.
Shooting has begun on HBO Europe’s Norwegian series Beforeigners, created by Lilyhammer duo Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin.
Directed by Jens Lien (Jonny Vang), the series is produced by Rubicon TV, part of the Endemol Shine Group. HBO greenlit the series in June of this year.
With a cast led by Nicolai Cleve Broch (Acquitted) and Krista Kosonen (Blade Runner 2049), the series sees people from the past - ‘beforeigners’ - appearing when a new light phenomenon starts occurring across the world. The re-appearing people have no memory of what has occurred.
- 8/24/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The Bridge producer Lars Blomgren is looking to crack remakes of the hit Scandi crime drama in China and India as he moves into a new role at Endemol Shine Group designed to bolster its foreign-language drama slate.
In a wide-ranging interview with Deadline, Blomgren, who previously headed Esg-owned Swedish producer Filmlance, lifted the lid of the superindie’s plans to expand on its current 40 non-English scripted series, explained how the success of Netflix’s Dark has lead to new challenges and discussed his willingness to bring UK and U.S. producers such as Kudos and Fifty Fathoms together with producers around the world to create new hits.
Blomgren becomes Head of Scripted, Europe, Middle East and Africa from September 1. While he admitted that the door was starting to close on Bron (The Bridge), which has had five international remakes, he said that the group was still chasing local...
In a wide-ranging interview with Deadline, Blomgren, who previously headed Esg-owned Swedish producer Filmlance, lifted the lid of the superindie’s plans to expand on its current 40 non-English scripted series, explained how the success of Netflix’s Dark has lead to new challenges and discussed his willingness to bring UK and U.S. producers such as Kudos and Fifty Fathoms together with producers around the world to create new hits.
Blomgren becomes Head of Scripted, Europe, Middle East and Africa from September 1. While he admitted that the door was starting to close on Bron (The Bridge), which has had five international remakes, he said that the group was still chasing local...
- 8/10/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
As U.S. viewers discover among their VOD options HBO Europe’s original production series “Wasteland,” the thriller set in the bleak coal fields of north Bohemia and filmed in 2016 in the Czech Republic, the company says more shows are on their way.
The eight-part thriller, directed by Ivan Zacharias and Alice Nellis and scripted by Stepan Hulik, screened at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival before becoming one of the first European series produced by the premium cable company to reach U.S. audiences. It was followed more recently by Hungarian and Czech versions of the romantic comedy “When Shall We Kiss,” the latter starring Anna Geislerova.
“If we own the property, why would we not make it available to people?” posits Antony Root, HBO Europe’s head of original production.
While he confesses about the programming’s potential success across the Atlantic “I don’t know how it’s going to do,...
The eight-part thriller, directed by Ivan Zacharias and Alice Nellis and scripted by Stepan Hulik, screened at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival before becoming one of the first European series produced by the premium cable company to reach U.S. audiences. It was followed more recently by Hungarian and Czech versions of the romantic comedy “When Shall We Kiss,” the latter starring Anna Geislerova.
“If we own the property, why would we not make it available to people?” posits Antony Root, HBO Europe’s head of original production.
While he confesses about the programming’s potential success across the Atlantic “I don’t know how it’s going to do,...
- 6/28/2018
- by Will Tizard
- Variety Film + TV
HBO Nordic is ramping up its slate of premium Scandinavian drama with “Beforeigners,” a satirical science-fiction series from “Lilyhammer” creators Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin.
Set to be directed by popular Norwegian helmer Jens Lien, “Beforeigners” will be headlined by high-profile Nordic stars Nicolai Cleve Broch (“Acquitted”) and Krista Kosonen (“Blade Runner 2049”).
“Beforeigners” marks HBO’s second Scandinavian original production, following Lukas Moodysson’s comedy series “Gösta,” which recently wrapped shooting in Sweden.
Laced with black humor, the six-part crime series takes place in the near future. A new phenomenon starts happening all over the world with powerful flashes of light occurring in the ocean and people from the past mysteriously reappearing. Called “beforeigners,” these people come from three separate time periods: the Stone Age, the Viking era and late 19th century.
A couple of years later, Alfhildr (Kosonen) – who comes from the Viking Age – has to partner up with a burned-out police officer,...
Set to be directed by popular Norwegian helmer Jens Lien, “Beforeigners” will be headlined by high-profile Nordic stars Nicolai Cleve Broch (“Acquitted”) and Krista Kosonen (“Blade Runner 2049”).
“Beforeigners” marks HBO’s second Scandinavian original production, following Lukas Moodysson’s comedy series “Gösta,” which recently wrapped shooting in Sweden.
Laced with black humor, the six-part crime series takes place in the near future. A new phenomenon starts happening all over the world with powerful flashes of light occurring in the ocean and people from the past mysteriously reappearing. Called “beforeigners,” these people come from three separate time periods: the Stone Age, the Viking era and late 19th century.
A couple of years later, Alfhildr (Kosonen) – who comes from the Viking Age – has to partner up with a burned-out police officer,...
- 6/28/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
HBO is to air a satirical Scandinavian sci-fi series from the creators of Netflix’s Lilyhammer on its digital platforms in the U.S. The company’s Nordic division ordered Beforeigners from Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin and it will air on HBO Go and HBO Now in the States as well as airing on its Ott service across Scandinavia and Spain and on its linear channels in Europe.
The series, which stars Aquitted’s Nicolai Cleve Broch and Blade Runner 2049 star Krista Kosonen, follows a new phenomenon that starts happening all over the world. Powerful flashes of light occur in the ocean, and people from the past appear. They come from three separate time periods: The Stone Age, The Viking era and late 19th Century. No one understands how this is possible, and the people from the past, called ”beforeigners”, have no memory of what’s transpired. Only one...
The series, which stars Aquitted’s Nicolai Cleve Broch and Blade Runner 2049 star Krista Kosonen, follows a new phenomenon that starts happening all over the world. Powerful flashes of light occur in the ocean, and people from the past appear. They come from three separate time periods: The Stone Age, The Viking era and late 19th Century. No one understands how this is possible, and the people from the past, called ”beforeigners”, have no memory of what’s transpired. Only one...
- 6/28/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Satirical sci-fi to star Nicolai Cleve Broch and Krista Kosonen.
HBO Nordic has greenlit its first Norwegian original, Beforeigners, a satirical near-future sci-fi series from Lilyhammer creators Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin.
Nicolai Cleve Broch (Acquitted) and Krista Kosonen (Blade Runner 2049) will star in the series, which chronicles a phenomenon that begins happening all over the world - powerful flashes of light occur in the ocean and people from three eras of the past begin to appear: the Stone Age, the Viking era, and the late 19th century.
Broch will play Lars Haaland, a burned -out police officer who...
HBO Nordic has greenlit its first Norwegian original, Beforeigners, a satirical near-future sci-fi series from Lilyhammer creators Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin.
Nicolai Cleve Broch (Acquitted) and Krista Kosonen (Blade Runner 2049) will star in the series, which chronicles a phenomenon that begins happening all over the world - powerful flashes of light occur in the ocean and people from three eras of the past begin to appear: the Stone Age, the Viking era, and the late 19th century.
Broch will play Lars Haaland, a burned -out police officer who...
- 6/28/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
HBO Nordic has greenlit its second original Scandinavian series, giving a season order to Beforeigners, a satirical sci-fi show from the creators of Lilyhammer.
In the series, from Lilyhammer co-creators Anne Bjornstad and Eilif Skodvin, a strange event starts bringing back people from the past, specifically from the Stone Age, the Viking era and the late 19th century. The new arrivals, who have no memory of what has happened, are dubbed "beforeigners."
Krista Kosonen (Blade Runner 2049) stars as Alfhildr, a Viking-age beforeigner who is teamed up with burned-out police officer Lars Haaland (Nicolai Cleve Broch) as part of the police ...
In the series, from Lilyhammer co-creators Anne Bjornstad and Eilif Skodvin, a strange event starts bringing back people from the past, specifically from the Stone Age, the Viking era and the late 19th century. The new arrivals, who have no memory of what has happened, are dubbed "beforeigners."
Krista Kosonen (Blade Runner 2049) stars as Alfhildr, a Viking-age beforeigner who is teamed up with burned-out police officer Lars Haaland (Nicolai Cleve Broch) as part of the police ...
- 6/28/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
In today’s International Newswire, Series Mania snags Reed Hastings and other heavyweights for its Lille Transatlantic Dialogues; Netflix confirms “Money Heist” as its most watched non-English series ever; Spain converts to Turkish telenovelas; HBO Nordic’s “Berforeigners” gets Norwegian government backing.
A considerable Series Mania coup: Reed Hastings, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Netflix is billed as attending Series Mania’s first Lille Transatlantic Dialogues, along with CEO grandees of Europe’s TV/digital platform scene: Endemol Shine Group’s Sophie Turner Laing, telecom Orange’s Stéphane Richard, Delphine Ernotte Cunci at France Televisions and TF1 Group’s Gilles Pelisson.
Hastings will be the subject of a Q & A session. Panelists take in BBC director of policy Claire Sumer and Antony Root, VP, programming and production, HBO Europe. French minister of culture Françoise Nyssen and European Commission VP Andrus Ansip will close discussions.
That’s a kind of heavyweight...
A considerable Series Mania coup: Reed Hastings, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Netflix is billed as attending Series Mania’s first Lille Transatlantic Dialogues, along with CEO grandees of Europe’s TV/digital platform scene: Endemol Shine Group’s Sophie Turner Laing, telecom Orange’s Stéphane Richard, Delphine Ernotte Cunci at France Televisions and TF1 Group’s Gilles Pelisson.
Hastings will be the subject of a Q & A session. Panelists take in BBC director of policy Claire Sumer and Antony Root, VP, programming and production, HBO Europe. French minister of culture Françoise Nyssen and European Commission VP Andrus Ansip will close discussions.
That’s a kind of heavyweight...
- 4/17/2018
- by John Hopewell, Jamie Lang and Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Fish-out-of-water dramedy Lilyhammer is closing in on a greenlight for a third season. I understand that Norwegian broadcaster Nrk is in the final stages of negotiations with producer Rubicon TV in a scenario that would see Netflix remain the U.S. broadcaster, with Red Arrow as the international distributor. I’m cautioned that nothing is confirmed, but Netflix, which was partnered on the first two series, has a deal in place for additional seasons. If S3 goes ahead, it is expected it would run on the streaming service in the U.S. Lilyhammer stars Sopranos alum Steven van Zandt as Frank Tagliano, a mob fixer exiled to Norway in a witness protection program. It was Netflix’s first original series and debuted in the States in February 2012. When it started in Norway in January that year, it had the best ratings for a Norwegian made drama series ever. The second...
- 12/5/2013
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
Lilyhammer‘s second season is currently filming in Oslo and Lillehammer, with star and exec producer Steven van Zandt on hand after taking a break from his touring schedule with Bruce Springsteen. For its second outing, the fish-out-of-water dramedy has added Paul Kaye (Game Of Thrones), Erik Madsen (Da Vinci’s Demons), Amy Beth Hayes (Mr Selfridge) and Jakob Oftebro (from foreign-language film Oscar nominee Kon-Tiki). Lilyhammer was a hit when it premiered in Norway in January 2012, drawing record numbers for NRK1, and it was the first original series to launch on Netflix when it bowed via the streaming service in the U.S., Canada and Latin America in February. Season 2 sees van Zandt’s mob fixer Frank Tagliano still in witness protection and juggling fatherhood with running his criminal operation. Added to the mix this season are a group of English soccer hooligans, a bank robbery that threatens to reveal Frank’s identity,...
- 1/21/2013
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
Last time we saw Steven Van Zandt on TV, he was Silvio Dante, one of Tony Soprano's top henchmen on "The Sopranos." But now, on the Netflix series "Lilyhammer," guess who's boss?
Van Zandt plays Frank Tagliano (a.k.a. Giovanni Henriksen, a.k.a "Johnny"), a New York City gangster who is relocated to Lillehammer, Norway, after testifying against a mobster. To call this a fish-out-of-water situation is an understatement -- mob culture and Scandinavian culture could not be further apart -- and Van Zandt nails the role with a perfect mix of comedy and brusque confidence.
Van Zandt is also a co-producer of the series and is in charge of the show's soundtrack. On his recent press tour in Toronto, we caught up with the actor and musician to talk about "Lilyhammer," and almost immediately discovered that he's nothing like his dour, serious characters. He was laughing, smiling and,...
Van Zandt plays Frank Tagliano (a.k.a. Giovanni Henriksen, a.k.a "Johnny"), a New York City gangster who is relocated to Lillehammer, Norway, after testifying against a mobster. To call this a fish-out-of-water situation is an understatement -- mob culture and Scandinavian culture could not be further apart -- and Van Zandt nails the role with a perfect mix of comedy and brusque confidence.
Van Zandt is also a co-producer of the series and is in charge of the show's soundtrack. On his recent press tour in Toronto, we caught up with the actor and musician to talk about "Lilyhammer," and almost immediately discovered that he's nothing like his dour, serious characters. He was laughing, smiling and,...
- 2/17/2012
- by Chris Jancelewicz
- Huffington Post
Last time we saw Steven Van Zandt on TV, he was Silvio Dante, one of Tony Soprano's top henchmen on "The Sopranos." But now, on the Netflix series "Lilyhammer," guess who's boss?
Van Zandt plays Frank Tagliano (a.k.a. Giovanni Henriksen, a.k.a "Johnny"), a New York City gangster who is relocated to Lillehammer, Norway, after testifying against a mobster. To call this a fish-out-of-water situation is an understatement -- mob culture and Scandinavian culture could not be further apart -- and Van Zandt nails the role with a perfect mix of comedy and brusque confidence.
Van Zandt is also a co-producer of the series and is in charge of the show's soundtrack. On his recent press tour in Toronto, we caught up with the actor and musician to talk about "Lilyhammer," and almost immediately discovered that he's nothing like his dour, serious characters. He was laughing, smiling and,...
Van Zandt plays Frank Tagliano (a.k.a. Giovanni Henriksen, a.k.a "Johnny"), a New York City gangster who is relocated to Lillehammer, Norway, after testifying against a mobster. To call this a fish-out-of-water situation is an understatement -- mob culture and Scandinavian culture could not be further apart -- and Van Zandt nails the role with a perfect mix of comedy and brusque confidence.
Van Zandt is also a co-producer of the series and is in charge of the show's soundtrack. On his recent press tour in Toronto, we caught up with the actor and musician to talk about "Lilyhammer," and almost immediately discovered that he's nothing like his dour, serious characters. He was laughing, smiling and,...
- 2/17/2012
- by Chris Jancelewicz
- Aol TV.
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