Three high premium Norwegian series with international investors on board such as Beta Film, have received NOK 57.4m (€5.5m) support from the Norwegian Film Institute.

Stine Helgeland, Deputy Director, Communication, Insights & International Relations at the Norwegian Film Institute told nordicfilmandtvnews.com that 11 projects applied for the production incentive support administered by the NFI. Unlike at previous rounds where Hollywood films such as Downsizing, The Snowman, Mission Impossible 6 and Paul Greengrass’ Oslo had applied - and received a grant - this time no major US feature film filed for support. 

“Some people might find strange that three Norwegian series received our 25% tax rebate to attract international productions, but the three drama projects complied with our criteria that include a minimum 30% financing from foreign partners, and all were of outstanding quality. As we’ve seen with the major international awards won in recent years, Norwegian dramas have upped their ambitions and budgets and are able today to attract key international players to close their financing. These grants have secured the filming in Norway-with Norwegian crew, of major Norwegian productions that otherwise would have filmed abroad,” noted Helgeland.

Two of the Norwegian premium series that received support are produced by Cinenord Drama: Atlantic Crossing and Wisting.  

Atlantic Crossing/Alt for Norge (8x60’) produced for NRK was granted NOK 27,275,000 (€2.8m). The period piece is inspired by the true and untold story of Crown Princess Märtha of Norway who fled from the Nazi occupation to become an influential figure in world politics, living in the White House and trying to persuade President Roosevelt to enter the war. Show-runner and director Alexander Eik said: “Until now, the history of war has always been the history of men: the heroics, the sabotage, the battles. It is high time to show a different perspective, which is why we’ll see these world events through women’s eyes.”

Co-writer Linda May Kallestein said other strong female characters will be featured such as Eleanor Roosevelt, lady-in-waiting Ragni, the mother Ingeborg and the child princesses Ragnhild and Astrid. Beta Film handles world distribution on the show set to start filming this summer on locations in Europe and overseas.  

Wisting (10x45’) produced for Viaplay/TV3 Norge was granted NOK 26,050,000 (€2.6m). The crime show based on Jørn Lier Horst’s best-selling novels centres on detective William Wisting (Sven Nordin) who dedicates his life to solving the senseless and vicious murders that shock his small coastal town. But trying to make the world a safer place comes at a huge cost.

Trygve Allister Diesen (The Third Eye) is-co-writer with Kathrine Valen Zeiner (Eyewitness) and shares the directing credit Katarina Launing (Kick It!).

Cinenord Drama is producing with Denmark’s Good Company Film for Viaplay, TV3 Norway and Germany’s ARD Degeto. Filming started last month and Banijay Rights handles world distribution. 

Beforeigners/Fremvandrerne (8x45’) produced by Rubicon TV was granted NOK 4,075,000 (€418,000). Lilyhammer’s co-creators/head-writers Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin have penned the screenplay which tells of individuals who arrive in Oslo. They turn out to be the first of many people from the past who seek refuge in our time. The acclaimed Jens Lien (Occupied, Viva Hate, The Bothersome Man) directs. At press time producer Jan-Erik Gammleng declined to comment about the foreign investors involved in the project.

The total production cost in Norway for the three TV dramas is estimated at NOK 633 million (over €65m). No more Norwegian production incentives will be allocated in 2018.