The Norwegian oil-related TV drama produced by Maipo Film will air on the UK pubcaster this summer. DR Sales will continue sales at this week’s Scandinavian Screening.

The eight-part series State of Happiness (Lykkeland) won Best Norwegian drama series and Best Actress (Anne Regine Ellingsæter) at the 2019 Norwegian Gullruten Awards on top of Best Screenplay to writer Mette M. Bølstad and Best Music to Ginge Anvik at Canneseries 2018.

The show tells of the discovery of oil and its impact on Norwegian society, through the story of four young people in the coastal town of Stavanger, focusing on the years 1969-1972. Sue Deeks, BBC Head of Programme Acquisition said: “State of Happiness is a beautifully produced period drama. I am sure that BBC Four viewers will become completely engaged by the four main characters and their experiences during that fascinating period of Norwegian history.”

BBC Four just finished airing Follow the Money 3, another hot title on DR Sales’ slate, which Maiken Maigaard, director of sales and acquisitions will continue to negotiate at this week’s Scandinavian Screening in Helsinki (June 4-6).

Other premium content to be brought to Helsinki include the Sundance winning documentary Cold Case Hammerskjöld by Mads Brügger and Nikola Coster-Waldau’s narrated Through Greenland doc series. In the 5x43’ programme directed by Cecilie Frydenlund for Metronome, the Games of Thrones actor goes on an adventurous expedition through Greenland, discussing the local culture, tradition, nature and society. “The series just aired in Denmark on DR1 and had amazing shares – both on flow tv and on our player,” said Maigaard.

Meanwhile DR Drama’s anticipated new dramas When the Dust Settles and A Family Matter will be pitched in Helsinki by the series’ respective producers Stinna Lassen and Claudia Saginario, and brand new materials and trailers will be unveiled. “We have great expectations for these two titles that will both air in 2020,” said Maigaard.

The director of sales will be at Scandinavian Screening alongside DR Sales’ newly appointed Sales Manager Freja Johanne Nørgaard Sørensen, responsible for the Nordic countries, Eastern Europe, Australia, Asia and Middle East. Sørensen has a strong track record within sales, coproduction and festival management from her previous jobs at LevelK and Cosmo Film among others. Other DR Sales attendees include Programme & sales manager Docs & series Camilla Maria Saabye Krog and editor/documentaries & co-productions Kim Christiansen.