DR Drama’s next big event series after Cry Wolf is an epic and entertaining story, portraying a slice of Danish history and a major invention that was to spark women’s liberation in the 1960s.

Carmen Curlers is inspired by the true story of the famous Carmen heated hair rollers, created by Danish entrepreneur Arne Bybjerg, who turned his invention into a global sensation, relying on a workforce of more than 3,500 women.

The series starts in 1963, when the main character Axel stumbles upon the electric curler, a cheap and easy way for women to look fabulous with curly hair in just 10 minutes. As his business takes off, his dynamic wife Birthe decides to recruit unskilled women from the neighbouring farms. For the first time, the women experience financial independence. They build new friendships, go through personal upheaval and divorces. The Carmen Curlers business turns into a global success, until 1969, when Axel agrees to sell his company to the mega US cosmetic group Clairol.

“Carmen Curlers tells how thousands of Danish women entered the work force in the 60s and for the first time experienced the joy, challenges and freedom of making their own money. It’s a modern DR flagship drama,” said DR Sales Executive Director Noemi Ferrer.

The 8x58’ series is created and written by Mette Heeno (Snow Angels, Rita), with Natasha Arthy (The Rain, Rita), serving as concept director and Christian Tafdrup (A Horrible Woman) as episodic director.

The strong ensemble cast comprises Morten Hee Andersen (Deliver Us, Ride Upon the Storm), Maria Rossing (Snow Angels, Splitting Us Together), Lars Ranthe (Another Round, Warrior), Signe Egholm (Borgen), Rosalinde Mynster (Seaside Hotel, Darkness-Those who Kill) and Mille Lehfeldt (Nothing’s All Bad, Happy Life).

The series is produced by Stinna Lassen (When the Dust Settles), with co-financing from NRK, SVT, Yle, RÚV, and support from Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

Filming is currently underway at DR’s own studios and in the Copenhagen area.

The first season will premiere on DR in the fall 2022. Another two series have been greenlit.