Short form relationship dramedies, a vampire film for kids and serialised crime thrillers are among the six new shows that received funding from the Norwegian Film Institute.

Silje Riise Næss, NFI commissioner for feature film and drama series said the ‘golden age of Norwegian drama series is reflected in the latest round of TV drama support, with series covering a ‘wide range of genres, from various shades of crime, via a European youth series with high production value, to comedy and dramas about love’.

The following four drama series Including a minority Norwegian co-production were commissioned by NRK: 

  • One Night/En natt (10x26’)
    The romantic dramedy from the creators of the hit series Dag, was one of the biggest buzz series at C21 Drama Summit this week. Produced by Anders Tangen (Viafilm), the series about two people in their 30s who meet on a blind date, is told in real time.

    The innovative show was shot simultaneously in English and in Norwegian, with MyAnna Buring (Downton Abbey, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn 2) starring in both versions, playing against Anders Baasmo Christiansen (The King’s Choice) in the Norwegian version, and Iceland’s Gísli Örn Garðarsson (Prisoners) in the English version. Øystein Karlsen (Dag, Lilyhammer) directs all but one episode, handled by actress Agnes Kittelsen (Happy Happy). Karlsen wrote the script with Kristopher Schau. Federation Entertainment handles world distribution and delivery is set for late 2017/early 2018.
  • Kvinner & Cava (8x29’) Writer/director Liv Karin Dahlstrøm won Best Short Film at the Seattle Film Festival 2017 for her short film of the same name, co-written by Thorkild Schrumpf. The two are now working on the long form comedy series about Merethe (47), trying to deal with her empty nest syndrome and new life opportunities. The series is produced by Ape & Bjørn, with filming set to start late 2018/early 2019.
  • Twin (8x45’) Already pitched at various TV drama events including the last Series Mania, the drama thriller focuses on a surfer-bum who takes on the identity of his twin brother following his accidental death. Kristofer Hivju and Rebekka Nystabakk are in the title roles. Kristoffer Metcalfe who co-created the show directs, alongside Erika Calmeyer. Twin is produced by Nordisk Film Production Norway, with TrustNordisk handling sales. Delivery is set for 2019. 
  • Heirs of the Night/Nattens barn (26x25’- S1&2) The ambitious European vampire series is based on German author Ulrike Schweikert’s best-selling novel The Heirs of the Night — Nosferas, first book in a series about young vampires across Europe who come together to train, learn from each other and ensure their survival. Top writers Mette Bølstad (Nobel), and Maria von Heland (Big Girls Don’t Cry) are collaborating on the screen adaptation, scheduled to start filming in 2018. Leontine Petit produces for Germany’s Hamster Film, in co-production with Norway’s Synnøve Hørsdl (Maipo Film) and Philippe Kreuzer.

The two Viaplay/TV3 Norway shows that just received backing from the NFI are:

  • The Suspects/De mistenkte (10x44’) Director Ole Endresen (Aber Berger, King Curling) has teamed up with upcoming writer Amy Black Ndiaye on this crime story with a murder linking Oslo’s underworld to the corridors of the Justice Department. Lasse Hallberg is producing for Monday Scripted. French group Newen (Braquo, Spiral) is handling world distribution.
  • Wisting (10 part series) Sven Nordin plays the central character as detective William Wisting in this crime show adapted by Trygve Allister Diesen (The Third Eye) and Katrine Valen Zeiner (Eyewitness) from best-selling author Jørn Lier Horst’s book series . Norway’s Cinenord Drama and Denmark’s The Good Company are producing for Viaplay, TV3 Norway and German broadcaster ARD Degeto. Filming in Norway starts in January 2018.