Beta Film has inked deals with MHz Choice for the US/Canada and SBS Australia for the second season of Lone Scherfig’s hospital drama, set to air on TV2 Denmark in 2024/2025.

The new season of the Danish series The Shift (Dag & nat) is produced again by Malene Blenkov for Nordisk Film Creative Alliance with the Oscar-nominated Lone Scherfig, serving as creator, co-writer with Nikolaj Scherfig and concept director. Episodic directors are Henrik Ruben Genz and Ole Christian Madsen.

The story in the returning season moves from the Copenhagen hospital’s maternity to the paediatric ward and picks up two years after the events in the opening season. Each of the eight episodes centres on a different young patient.

“The dedicated workers in Denmark's paediatric wards bear a significant daily responsibility, serving as unsung heroes who uphold one of our nation's most crucial institutions,” says Scherfig." "Their unyielding compassion, inclusivity, and professionalism make them exemplars of empathy in our society. Amid an ever-changing and unpredictable world, they not only face challenges but also champion a noble cause. This season pays a heartfelt tribute to their unwavering commitment,” commented the acclaimed Danish director who also wants to tackle specific health issues in children in youth, such as obesity, diabetes, psychological problems or neglect." “The ward staff may be able to cure the patients, but not the society that created the patients,” Scherfig observes.

Next to Ann Eleonora Jørgensen and Anders W. Berthelsen, who play the main new characters of head doctor Linda and psychologist Lasse, we will be reunited with Katrine Greis-Rosenthal, Pål Sverre Hagen, Nicolai Jørgensen, Charlotte Munck, Mette Horn and discover new characters portrayed notably by Joachim Fjelstrup, Jens Jørn Spottag, Soheil Bavi and Osvald Windfeld.

Season 1 of The Shift top-lining Sofie Gråbøl as the head of the maternity ward, caught 35% of TV2 viewers aged 20-60 across linear and digital.

According to Beta Film, the show was sold to Greece, Cyprus, Estonia, and Poland, and a Dutch remake turned into one of NPO’s biggest hits of 2023.

The first season was nominated for the Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize 2022.

See our previous story: Lone Scherfig, Sofie Gråbøl on The Shift - a tribute to midwives and hospital workers.