Eva Sørhaug (Occupied, Cold Lunch) is concept director and Stian Kristiansen (Home Ground) episodic director of the eight-part series, produced by Are Heidenstrøm, Peter Bose and Jonas Allen.

Ingrid Bolsø Berdal (Cold Prey, The Spy, Westworld) plays the title role as Ida Waage, chief financial officer in one of the country's leading law firms, has come a long way in a male-dominated and tough industry. But when she gets a suspicious invoice on the table, she refuses to sign it and takes the matter to the board, a decision that will have dramatic consequences.

The strong Norwegian cast also includes Mads Ousdal (Wisting), Christian Skolmen (Zombielars), Ola G. Furuseth (22 July), Preben Hodneland (Magnus), Sara Khorami (Occupied), Fridtjov Såheim (Acquitted), Gard Eidsvold (Wisting), Nader Khademi (Beforeigners), and Janne Heltberg (Kielergata).

Writing duo Rajendram and Bache-Wiig, known for Miso Film’s hit series Acquitted and for Erik Poppe’s drama Utøya-July 22, took inspiration from real Norwegian whistle-blowers. “While working on the series, we have thoroughly looked into several of the whistleblowing cases in the country in recent years and have drawn inspiration from all these stories. This research shook us. We heard stories of fear, rage and loneliness, and most people said they would never do it again,” said Rajendram in a statement.

The co-creators say the realistic story could have happened today in Norway. “Even in a well-functioning democracy such as Norway, whistleblowers experience threats, hate, that take a toll on a personal level. We take freedom of speech for granted, but are we willing to defend it?” asks Bache-Wiig.

Christopher Haug, head of Drama at TV2 Norway said: “Whistleblowing, and being a whistleblower is a difficult and important theme. When Siv and Anna pitched the idea of Witch Hunt, we were never in doubt. If anyone who could tell such a story, it was them,’ he affirmed.

The series will premiere on TV2 and TV2 Sumo in the New Year.