Lars Blomgren, Filmlance International’s MD announces his TV drama slate for 2016-2018.

One of the most thrilling prospects for Blomgren, is to finally set in motion Hagai Levi’s international remake of Ingmar Bergman's 1973 iconic TV series Scenes from a Marriage. “The project was stuck in a copyrights legal battle between the Ingmar Bergman Foundation and Svensk Filmindustri [SF Studios], but now this is revolved. It’s all behind us and we’re moving on fast, putting together the creative team and casting right now. We have a list of top actors who want to come on board. The interest from all parts, including broadcasters is absolutely phenomenal,’ told Blomgren to nordicfilmandtvnews.com.

The English language version will be executive produced by Bergman’s son Daniel Bergman. “Daniel and I are friends since we were teenagers. He has a brilliant mind and it’s wonderful to work with him,” said Blomgren. Having Levi on board as writer/director is also a ‘unique asset and opportunity’. The Israeli show-runner has specialised in relationship dramas (The Affair) and produced and directed In Treatment, the US remake of his own show BeTipul. The delivery of the international version of Scenes from a Marriage will coincide with the 100th anniversary of Bergman’s birth in 2018.

Blomgren - Swedish producer of The Bridge/Bron - is also heavily involved in re-formatting the cross border crime series as Chairman of Scripted Exchange for Filmlance’s mother company Shine Endemol Group. Later this month, several international producers and broadcasters will gather in Saint Petersburg to discuss the series for their own territories. A Russian/Estonia version will go into production later this month for Weit Media/NTV Channel in Russia, India has shown an interest, and Latin American, Asiatic and even Middle Eastern versions are in discussions. “It’s complicated as most neighbours in the Middle East are enemies, but we’re talking seriously about it', asserts Blomgren.

At home, Filmlance has enjoyed the successful run on SVT of the crime series Spring Tide created by Rolf and Cilla Börjlind. The 10-part series averaged 1.42M viewers and was second on SVT1’s top spring chart after the reality sports show Mästarnas mästare. On the web, the first episode started at number 4 on SVT Play’s top list and the five last episodes were number one. A returning season is in development.

A new Beck series is also planned for CMore/TV4, following the successful introduction of Norwegian actor Kristofer Hivju, next to Peter Haber, aka detective Martin Beck.

The Sandhamn Murders will go back for another round on TV4 and the much anticipated season four of The Bridge is set to be greenlit shortly by SVT/DR.

As part of its long time commitment to children’s content, Filmlance will also produce a new 52x23’ animated series featuring the Moomin characters. Created by Tove Jansson Academy award-winner Steve Box (Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit) is directing and Marika Makaroff is Creative Director. Cate Elliot (Charlie & Lola) and John Woolley (Shaun the Sheep) are producing alongside Blomgren, executive producer.