The TV drama series based on Martin Andersen Nexø’s novels about Pelle the Conqueror will be adapted by Rasmus Heisterberg (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, A Royal Affair).

Yesterday the Danish Film Institute announced that the TV drama Erobreren (Conqueror) developed by Meta Louise Foldager of SAM Productions was granted DKK 657,000 in development support from the DFI’s Public Service Fund.

The long-gestated screen adaptation of volumes 2-4 of Danish socialist author Nexø’s novel Pelle the Conqueror (Pelle erobreren) published between 1906-1910, was originally scheduled under SAM Productions’ banner as a feature film to be directed by Per Fly. Now the major literary work will be made into an 8x60’ TV series for HBO Nordic, with Heisterberg as head writer and Per Fly as concept director.

Claus Ladegaard, DFI Deputy Director said: “Erobreren depicts a significant historical period and is based on a landmark literary work. It is therefore a series of the upmost importance and value as public service. It is a classic narrative interpreted and developed by some of Danish film’s strongest creators. It will be interesting to see how the storytelling will fit into HBO’s originality and audacity.”

At press time producer Meta Louise Foldager was not available for comment. Hanne Palmquist, HBO Nordic Commissioning Editor & VP, Original Programming said she was pleased for the DFI’s development support but declined to give further comments at such an early stage. During the last TV Drama Vision in Göteborg, Palmquist had explained that her strategy was to commission ‘2-3 original dramas per year, predominantly in the Danish, Swedish and Norwegian languages, with a focus on ‘bold, brave and passionate projects expressing an author’s unique point of view’.

The TV drama Erobreren will continue the story of the poor Swedish boy Pelle the Conqueror who immigrates to Denmark in the late 1800-early 1900, featured in Bille August’s Oscar and Palme d’or winning film of the same name.