Here is a Nordic TV & film news round-up to keep you updated on exciting new series’ and films in development plus we also update you on the big winners from the recent awards in Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, and Finland.

NETFLIX NEWS

A Part of You is new coming-of-age film commissioned by Netflix

A Part of You is a new coming-of-age film that has been commissioned by Netflix and directed by Sigge Eklund. Eklund is both an author and podcast host who said of the opportunity:

”I’ve been waiting my whole life for a screenplay that captures the horror and the magic of being a teenager.  When I read Michaela Hamilton’s story I was blown away by the fact that it was all in there. The desperation and the beauty and that sense of urgency that you can only feel when you are 17.”

The film will begin production this summer with a global Netflix release in 2024.

Elin Kristina Oskal cast for her debut role in Stolen adaptation

The adaptation of Stolen has begun filming in northern Scandinavia and has also revealed its cast with Elin Kristina Oskal in the lead role of Elsa, alongside Lars-Ánte Wasara and Martin Wallström (Beck).

The film is being directed by Elle Márjá Eira (The Sámi Have Rights, Ealát) and follows Elsa and the myraid of challenges she is faced with defending her indigenous heritage. From xenophobia, the climate crisis’ effect on reindeer herding, to the spate of young suicides – and to add to that, the problems that arise when modern cultures try to mix with traditional.

The film is currently shooting with a global Netflix released planned in 2024.

Writers of Lilyhammer create new Netflix series about salmon industry

Fans of original Netflix series Lilyhammer will be happy to hear that the writers behind it are joining forces again to work on a new series for the streamer. The current title is Salmon Island and the series will focus on two warring families in a small coastal town of Norway who clash over the global salmon industry.

Made in Oslo, Marit Moum Aune will be directing, a release date is TBC.

Ronnie Sandahl and Daniél Espinosa team up for The Helicopter Heist

A new series has been commissioned by the steamer based on a true story that happened in 2009. The Helicopter Heist will be an eight-part series that follows the events around the bank robbery that saw a helicopter land on the country’s safest cash depot and take off with several million dollars – the police looking on without them being able to do a single thing about it.

Ronnie Sandahl (Tigers) will team up with Daniél Espinosa (Snabba Cash) on the series and said:

“I want to tell an epic robbery tale, about great dreams and even greater risks. A feverish, character-driven heist show about friendship, adrenaline, and hubris. I can’t imagine a more perfect director for the series than Daniel Espinosa, and I’m incredibly happy that he’s chosen to step aboard.“

Josephine Bornebusch signs up for Netflix’s Let Go

The streamer has signed up the very much in-demand Josephine Bornebusch (Love Me, ORCA, Harmonica) for a new feature film which will see her write, direct and star in it.

The film’s title is Let Go and Josephine has this to say about the film and her collaboration with Netflix:

“I have a penchant for writing about recognition, families, and life in its most ordinary moments – with all that it entails. Sorrow, happiness, love, and betrayal. I met with Netflix at a very early stage when this story came to me. They believed in the project as much as I did and encouraged me to dig deeper. I’m so happy that we’re now realizing the film together, with the potential to reach far and wide. It’s finally happening.”

The film is planned for a global release in 2024 with no further details yet on cast and when shooting begins.

NEW NORDIC SERIES

4 Nordic Titles have been picked for the upcoming Cannes Series Competition Programme – the titles picked are:

• Power Play – A political dram that focuses on the first female Norwegian Prime Minister which was a huge turning point in Norwegian history. The series stars the excellent Kathrine Thorborg Johansen and behind the camera is the equally talented Yngve Sve Flikke (Ninjababy).

• Prisoner – A new Danish drama with the likes of Sofie Gråbøl and David Dencik. The series is co-created and co-written by Kim Fupz Aakeson (Welcome to Utmark, In Order of Disappearance) alongside Michael Noer (R, Papillon), and Frederik Louis Hviid (Follow the Money 3, Shorta) the latter also serving as co-directors.
  
  The series follows four prison officers who have been assigned an investigation in the prison to prevent its closure. With bad publicity to correct, hierachies to battle, and drug dealing within the workplace, all hell breaks loose in a battle for survival.

• Easy Peasy – has been best described as a ‘Norwegian answer to Mr Bean’ and follows six different men who try to get to grips with their surroundings when trying to handle small every-day dilemmas.

• Out of Touch – is a Swedish romcom thats sees couple’s therapist Ava (Sara Shirpley) who has the ability to see into the future of people’s love lives when she puts her hand on their chest. Despite this special ability she remains quite a cynic when it comes to love but will that change when meets Johan (Hannes Fohlin) who is quite the romantic?

AWARDS ROUND UP

• Jussi Awards – The Finnish Jussi Awards saw Alli Haapasalo’s Girl Picture scoop up a number of awards including Best Film, Director, Script, and Editing!
  
  Equally as exciting to see was Aino Suni’s Heartbeast won best Cinematography and Score, Hanna Bergholm’s Hatching winning Best Set Design and Make Up; whilst Einari Paakkanen won Best Documentary for his film Karaoke Paradise.

• With the Robert Awards, Ali Abbasi’s Holy Spider cleaned up with 11 wins out of 15 nominations!
  
  Elsewhere, Hlynur Pálmason won for Best Short Film with Nest, and Costume Design for Godland.
  Tea Lindeburg also won an award for her debut As In Heaven. Ruben Östlund won Best English Language film for Triangle of Sadness whilst Joachim Trier won Best Non-English Langauge Film for The Worst Person in The World.

• In Sweden there was the Guldbagge Awards that took place back in February which saw Ruben Östlund win Best Film and Best Director for Triangle of Sadness but some of the notable other wins came for Granit Rushiti in Jens Sjögren’s I am Zlatan, and Feed by Johannes Persson winning the audience award – a Swedish horror film what we hope will get a release here in the UK one day!

• At the Iceland Edda Awards there was a big win for Gudmundur Arnar Guðmundsson as Beautiful Beings picked up Best Film, whilst Hlynur Pálmason picked up Best Direction and Cinematography for Godland and another for Best Short again for his work on Nest.
  
  Elsewhere, TV series Blackport completely wiped the floor of the awards picking up 8 wins – let’s hope this series will make its way over for an international audience!

• Norway’s Amanda Awards will happen later in the year and we will be sure to keep you updated on the results!

TRAILERS

To wrap things up why not check out some exciting new trailers which feature two famous Nordic stars in English language movies!

First up is Mads Mikkelsen in the new Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny trailer and then Dar Salim who will be starring in Guy Ritichie’s new film, The Covenant!

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny:

The Covenant:

That’s our round-up of new film and TV news from the past few months! Follow us for more updates, news, reviews, interviews, and release dates as we get them!