Helsinki-based Gutsy’s first adult-oriented and live action/animated series, is based on a novel by Katariina Souri.

The 6x50’ English-language series is co-created by Gutsy Animations founder Marika Makaroff and The Violin Player’s director Paavo Westerberg. Top UK writers attached include Jessica Ruston (Young Wallander), Kevin Rundle (Casualty, EastEnders) and Phoebe Éclair-Powell (Hollyoaks).

The psycho-drama follows Finno-British artist Stella who leaves the UK and returns to her family roots in Finland to sell her childhood home. She experiences haunting visions which seem connected to the ancient natural landscape of Lapland and its mythological past, and which start to invade her art. To overcome the nightmarish and perhaps premonitory visions, she must connect with her true nature.

Tackling themes of sisterhood, family secrets; hidden memories, mental instability and nature-both human and environmental, Beyond Nature promises to be both a challenging and compelling watch,” said Makaroff who hopes to reach-out beyond Gutsy’s core kids audience.

In an earlier interview Makaroff also underlined that Beyond Nature’s themes of female empowerment and mental health will perfectly fit her company’s vision to create “high-end content with a message”.

The project in development will be pitched at MIPCOM by Gary Carter, previously at Endemol and Fremantle, who has been hired as a consultant, in charge of attracting co-financiers on the project and spearheading Gutsy’s move into adult-skewing drama.

Founded in 2016, Gutsy Animations’s flagship production is the multi awarded animated series Moominvalley, which secured 16 million starts on Yle’s streaming platform. The third season has recently received the Albert certification for environmental sustainability.