Apple Tree Productions’ move is part of co-founders Bernth and Lars Hermann’s strategy to tap into the best Nordic storytelling talents to bring quality, edgy stories that matter to world screens. “Nordic co-production is not only about financial collaboration, but about putting the right talents together. So far Lars and I have been running our newly established Swedish arm Apple Tree Productions AB, but we’re looking for a Swedish producer who could develop and produce drama projects for us,” told Bernth to nordicfilmandtvnews.com.

Since its launch a year ago, the ITV Studios’ minority-controlled Apple Tree Productions has focused on development, streamlining as many as 80 projects and holding on to 12-14 of them.

“Our strategy has been to develop a dozen projects at the same time, so that if one is rejected, it won’t rock our company,” says the former DR Head of Drama. Freelance writers usually pitch their ideas to Bernth and her production team (including Anders Toft Andersen, Karoline Leth and Dorthe Riis Lauridsen) and eventually get hired for each project. “We can’t afford having staff writers sitting around and waiting. I think it’s better to have creators and writers who come with lots of energy, passion and take ownership of each project,” notes the producer who commissioned DR’s acclaimed shows Ride Upon the Storm and Borgen among others. 

Apple Tree works across all genres, concentrating on high quality innovative content, with returning potential or not. “The genre is not as important as the story and the message it carries. In today’s over-crowded marketplace, it’s essential to catch people’s attention, and make them want to go back for more”, notes Bernth.

So far a contemporary drama, a book adaptation, an original drama set in the 70s, based on a true story, and a mystery thriller for young adults are on Apple Tree’s drama slate. Three projects are in a more advanced stage, with partners on board: one is with HBO Nordics, another is Swedish based and a third project will be in English-language, produced with another ITV Studios company based in the US.

Details will be announced before the spring 2019.