Paris-based Wild Bunch TV has just picked up global distribution rights for the premium eight-part TV drama Riding in Darkness (Nattryttarna), a harrowing story of sexual abuse in the equestrian world, based on a true story.

Top creatives working on the series for Banijay Nordic’s label Jarowskij, include creator/writer Ulf Kvensler (The Restaurant, Black Lake, Solsidan, Welcome to Sweden), concept director Molly Hartleb (Top Dog, The Restaurant), and co-director Julia Lindström (Two Sisters).

In the title roles are rising star Hanna Ardéhn, who had her breakthrough with Netflix’ hit show Quicksand, and prolific actor Jonas Karlsson (Beck, The Snowman, The Perfect Patient). The series is co-produced by ZDF.

Riding in Darkness is based on the true story of Swedish music artist Sophie Jahn, daughter of a convicted and now deceased, teacher at a riding club, who committed countless sexual crimes against his students in the 90's.

In our previous story (CLICK HERE) Kvensler who has done thorough research on the case, said he drew inspiration from Netflix’s show Unbelievable to approach the delicate subject matter.

The series is set in 1996. Tommy Lund, a passionate horse trainer, looks after the finest riders in the country. But behind the façade of a charming teacher, husband and father of two lurks a psychopath, rapist and pedophile. Molly, an underprivileged girl who attends the riding club, soon understands Tommy’s predatory behaviour. Together with Tommy’s wife Lotta and daughters Victoria and Agnes, Milly will fight to defeat the monster and survive.

Wild Bunch TV is starting negotiations at MIPCOM on the Swedish series, set to premiere on C More/TV4 in 2022.

The French company which has been more actively involved since 2019 in initiating co-production and co-financing of TV shows for international distribution, has also announced the pick-up of the Norwegian family series Troublemakers (Rabalder) produced by Nordic Stories for NRK Super. Created by Tord Theodor Olsen, the 13x15’ series is a pre-teen live-action show with a family reach.

In a village perched in Northern Norway, where the sea meets the sky, a group of children must deal with all the conflicts and dilemmas that come with being a kid including testing your own limits. The series first aired on NRK Super last April.

Wild Bunch TV has successfully handled NRK anthology teen series Nudes, sold to numerous countries including BBC3 in the UK, Canal+ Poland and remade in Italian by BIM Produzione for RAI.