After TROM, Reinvent Studios produces first YA series Boys

Rikke Ennis’ production, packaging and distribution outfit REinvent is pumping up its scripted content volume and just added Boys (Drenge) to its slate. The 8x24’ series which just finished filming, is due to premiere on Viaplay in 2022.

The coming-of-age story of growing up in a small Danish town, is inspired by 27-year-old Risvig’s own experience, and brought to the screens by co-writers Mikkel Sørensen and Lars Bang. The series follows a group of 10 boys from Silkeborg, who sing in a church choir every Sunday morning, but also push their limits and test the forbidden pleasures of adult life. When one of the boys drowns under mysterious circumstances, their unity and loyalty are put to test.

Next to the talented Sylvester Byder who plays one of the main roles are Viktor Hjelmsø, Karoline Hamm (Equinox), Dar Salim (Warrior, Borgen) and Julie Christiansen (While We Live, A Fortunate Man).

Risvig who received wide-acclaim for his YA shows Centrum and Grænsen, said about the show: “I think most people can identify with being part of a group where you go a little further than in other places, and which helps define the person you end up becoming – for better or worse.”

“It’s a thrilling story from a mind-blowing young Danish director,” said REinvent CEO Ennis who serves as executive producer. “Sofie Siboni - our producer at Reinvent - has known Jonas Risvig for quite a while and both really wanted to do a project together. They brainstormed various authentic topics, and Jonas came up with the idea for Boys. So it was natural for REinvent to be part of this from the beginning,” said Ennis who goes on. “Jonas has since then, become quite a rising star as a director. It has been such a pleasure to work with him on this project, and I have to take my hat off to Viaplay and Marlene Andreasen who acted fast and professionally when committing to the project.”

The series backed by the West Danish Film Fund is handled internationally by Reinvent.

Meanwhile the company’s first in-house production - the Faroese-set crime drama Trom is due to premiere on Nent Group’s streamer early 2022.

Ennis said she has a handful of other shows in development with various platforms/broadcasters. “We are trying to navigate how many projects we can produce, executive-produce or package, while maintaining the highest quality possible,” she said.

On the sales side, Reinvent is set for a thrilling start of 2022 with the upcoming Finnish series Transport, running for the Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize, the Swedish series The Dark Heart from The Guilty director Gustav Möller, selected for Sundance’s ‘Indie Episodic’ section, and Swedish youth film Comedy Queen by Sanna Lenken, competing for a Crystal Bear at the Berlinale.

As international sales rep of SF Studios’ film catalogue, REinvent is also handling the high profile Finnish film Omerta 6/12 by Aku Louhimies, currently playing at number 5 after four weeks on Finnish screens, and Erik Poppe’s upcoming Swedish saga The Emigrants due to open at home on Christmas day.