The 9x45’ Signals is created by some of Iceland’s most seasoned writers - Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize nominees Margrét Örnófsdóttir (Flatey Enigma) and Johann Aevar Grímsson (Stella Blómkvist), as well as Óskar Jónasson (Remote Control) and poet/lyricist Sjón (Lamb). Jónasson is directing for producers Anna Vigdís Gísladóttir, Tinna Proppé, Hilmar Sigurðsson and Kjartan Thor Thordarson of leading production house Sagafilm.

The €6.1 million premium show is set to start filming in Iceland late 2020.

The series follows police officer Magnea (37) as she investigates a series of terrorist acts and cyber-attacks from an unknown extremist group. At the same time, her girlfriend, journalist Salka (31) is digging into the same story but in a different way and both cannot compare their information nor discuss the case. Their daily life becomes difficult while the country is on the brink of collapse.

Commenting on the C21-Best Drama Pitch award, Nadine Nohr, head of the jury said: ‘’We felt the concept and genre were very clear and the subject matter relatable with a compelling immediacy. The entry point via the relationship between Magnea and Salka made it accessible and human and we saw a parallel between the vulnerability of society [threatened by the attacks] and of their relationship. The combination of Sagafilm's track record, identified partners and budget level gave us confidence that the series was producible and commercially appealing." 

Thordarson told nordicfilmandtvnews.com he got “great feedback at C21 and multiple threads are being explored” for the financing of the series. He is now “looking for commissioning partners in Scandinavia and/or mainland Europe” and in discussions with a number of global distributors.

The long-established Sagafilm has been widening its drama slate in recent years, as part of its “make local go global strategy”. 

High-end international co-productions lined up for 2020 include Thin Ice, a Swedish suspense thriller produced by Yellow Bird, set to premiere February 3rd on C More, the English language Cold Courage, produced by Finland’s Luminoir, and the local political drama The Minister, scheduled to premiere on RÚV in September 2020.

Both The Minister and Thin Ice are backed by Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

Sagafilm also sealed a multi-project development/distribution deal with Comcast NBCUniversal owned Sky Studios.