Sweden’s fastest growing production company FLX (The 100 Year Old Man who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared, Welcome To Sweden) has closed several scripted and non-scripted format and ready-made deals with leading international players ahead of MIPCOM. We spoke to FLX Managing Partner Pontus Edgren (pictured).
‘FLX has very clear international ambitions and we have focused a lot on developing universal concepts.’ says Edgren, FLX co-owner with creative director Felix Herngren and scriptwriter Niclas Carlsson. ‘It’s thrilling to see the interest for our shows and that not only Nordic Noir, but also ‘Nordic Light’ works internationally’ says Edgren.
FLX’s new 8x30’ series Boy Machine produced for TV4 was snapped by FremantleMedia International just before MIPCOM. The musical comedy follows a former 90s boy band that decide to make a comeback almost 20 years after their heyday. The quartet are played by leading Swedish comedians/actors Henrik Dorsin, Peter Magnusson, Jonas Karlsson and David Wiberg. Per Gavatin (Topederna) is showrunner alongside Welcome to Sweden and Solsidan writers Niclas Carlsson and Jesper Harrie, and Michael Lindgren directs. Boy Machine premieres on October 16 on TV4’s Friday 21.00 slot, in the intermission of the hugely popular Swedish Idol.
US remakes
FLX’s biggest brand Solsidan, the hit TV-series in its 5th season, which is back on TV4 on October 18, is getting a US-adaption by veteran Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld writer David Mandel. Zodiak USA is producing with FLX.
Torpederna, written by FLX dramedy/crime comedy writers Per Gavatin, Niclas Carlsson and Jesper Harrie, which aired last fall on TV4, was also picked up for a US-adaptation by US-mogul and True Detective producer Steve Golin from Anonymous Content.
Meanwhile Season 2 of So Not Ok, the 8x30’ comedy entertainment show produced by FLX for TV3, has closed over 15 format deals through FLX’s partnership with Elk Entertainment and the format premiered on ABC Australia earlier this year.
New SVT dramedy
Finally FLX’s new 10x45’ dramedy Bonusfamiljen produced for SVT started production last month. Based on Felix Herngren, his wife Clara Herngren and sister Moa Herngren’s own life experiences, Bonusfamiljen features couple Lisa (Vera Vitali) and Patrik (Erik Johansson), their three kids from previous relationships and ex-wife and husband played by Petra Mede and Fredrik Hallgren. The show portrays their complicated relationships and family constellation. Sweden’s beloved singer Lill-Babs is cast in a minor role. An international distribution deal is in negotiation for the series set to premiere late 2016/early 2017.