The deal was announced on Wednesday by the leading Finnish literary agency Elina Ahlbäck.

Published in 2000, the fantasy best-selling novel Troll, a Love Story (original title Tammi in Finnish) has been sold to 19 territories.

The story follows the young gay photographer Mikael, who finds in his courtyard the young troll Pessi and hides him in his flat. Mikael doesn’t know that the troll exudes pheromones that have an aphrodisiac effect on all those around him. But Pessi is also the interpreter of man’s darkest, most forbidden impulses.

According to literary agent Elina Ahlbäck, the co-creator of the hit series The Bridge and Midnight Sun Måns Mårlind and actress Tuppence Middleton (Our House, Downton Abbey, Sense8) jointly acquired the film & TV rights, and are currently developing it together, with Middleton set to direct. The latter starred in Mårlind’s international series Shadowplay.

“We have been looking for something to do together for quite some time now and then suddenly Johanna’s wonderful book came to mind,” said Mårlind. “It is a highly original, dark and touching folk horror set in our modern world where Trolls are rare, but do exist. It was when Tuppence suggested we move the story from Finland to London I realised this was meant to be.”

Middleton who feels the book provides “the perfect urban fable for our time", said she is thrilled to be bringing "these unforgettable characters to life on screen, to explore this strange and beautiful tale about what it is to be an outsider, and to embrace your true nature in an increasingly disconnected world.”

Mårlind is represented by Eric Williams, Zero Gravity and Matilda Boström, Agentfirman, and Middleton by Conway Van Gelder Grant (UK) and UTA (US).

Elina Ahlbäck recently brokered another film deal with SF Studios on Terhi Kokkonen’s novel Arctic Mirage, to be directed by Finnish actress Pihla Viitala.