Finnish producer Roope Lehtinen (Moskito Television) and creator Mikko Pöllä (Angry Birds, Black Widows) have set up a new company. 

Fire Monkey is billed as an ‘independent drama development and show-running company serving broadcasters and studios in the Nordics and internationally”. 

“We have seen the world responding to our tone of voice and wanted to create a set-up that allows us to work with both Nordic and the international drama community” said Lehtinen. “Our strategy is to go idea first and not be restricted by country limits. It’s already been exciting to see how positively people react to some of our new concepts in development” added Pöllä.

Lehtinen has stepped down from his position as CEO of Moskito Television, but continues to oversee the Finnish production company’s drama output as senior advisor. Riina Kullas who was Head of Moskito’s entertainment department replaces Lehtinen at the company’s helm. Lehtinen and Pöllä have created some of Finland’s most successful recent local TV dramas such as Easy Living and Black Widows, both remade successfully in several territories. The US reboot of Black Widows is being developed by world renowned show-runner Adi Hasak (Shade of Blue) while the Swedish version produced by Moskito for TV3/Viaplay is nominated for Best Non-English Drama series at the upcoming C21 Drama Awards in London.