Baltic TV Shows Are Bolder Than Ever: Discover What’s New in 2025!

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As Baltic productions expand and become more daring, producers seek out international partners. Local storytellers are responding by crafting unique tales and building on established intellectual properties. This results in a mix of period dramas and contemporary satires. Nevertheless, crime shows, whether modern like the Berlinale Series Market Selects “My Dear Mother” this year, or set in the 19th century, remain popular – if not the crown, then certainly the top hat of the genre.

“Melchior the Apothecary”

Creators: Indrek Hargla, Elmo Nüganen, Olle Mirme

Director: Elmo Nüganen

The show is a miniseries adaptation of the crime novel series penned by Indrek Hargla, featuring an apothecary character who heals the sick and solves mysteries. Set in medieval Tallinn, it was initially produced as a trilogy that became a box-office hit in Estonia. Global Screen is marketing it as a miniseries. The cast includes Märten Metsaviir and Maarja Johanna Mägi, who has been recognized as one of Berlinale’s Shooting Stars and will next appear in the Finnish remake of “Cold Feet.” One reason the series is so engaging is its immersive medieval fairy tale atmosphere. As Mägi explains, “The world it creates is captivating and inviting.” She adds that Baltic shows are improving in quality due to larger budgets, enabling greater creativity. Mägi also shares her excitement about being part of the Shooting Stars program alongside Latvian and Lithuanian actors, noting many shared experiences. The production is overseen by Taska Film, Nafta Films, Apollo Film Productions, and HansaFilm.

“My Dear Mother”

Creators: Raoul Suvi, Toomas Ili, Tiina Lokk

Director: Doris Tääker

This six-episode Estonian-Ukrainian series titled “X” (let’s use a placeholder name for now), produced by Zolba Productions along with partners Film.UA Group and Elisa Estonia, has been chosen for Berlinale Series Market Selects. The narrative unfolds around a young woman whose past troubles resurface when her mother is murdered, and she becomes the prime suspect. Raoul Suvi pens the script, while Doris Tislar (“Estonia”), Elina Reinold, and Saara Pius take on leading roles. The series will make its debut at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. As director Tääker explains, they opted for a realistic portrayal, showing violent events from the protagonist’s viewpoint, who is the victim. He emphasizes that these scenes not only depict the act of violence but also its aftermath, as he believes that the victim’s traumatic experience persists long after the incident has taken place. Tääker previously worked on “Alo” and Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet”.

“Soviet Jeans”

Creators: Staņislavs Tokolovs, Teodora Markova, Waldemar Kalinowski

Directors: Staņislavs Tokolovs, Juris Kursietis

1970s Latvia serves as the backdrop for this captivating series, which narrates the extraordinary tale of a rock and roll enthusiast who establishes an illicit jeans factory – within a psychiatric hospital. This series has been honored at Series Mania and is distributed by Beta Film. “Soviet Jeans” stands as a testament to how Baltic shows are making their presence felt on the global stage. As CEE (Central and Eastern Europe) and the Baltics continue to expand as creative hotspots, largely due to major streamers investing in original productions in the region, there’s a growing demand for stories that delve into local history and social issues, according to Beta’s Veronika Kovacova. What distinguishes Baltic shows is their knack for presenting tales that resonate both culturally and universally. “Soviet Jeans” offers a unique vantage point, transporting viewers to 1979 and offering insights into life beyond the Iron Curtain. It’s grounded in real events, offering an engaging and thought-provoking viewpoint on untold stories.

“The Last Divorce of Communism”

Creators: Staņislavs Tokolovs, Teodora Markova

Directors: Staņislavs Tokolovs, Teodora Markova, Linda Olte

A new series titled “Soviet Apartment,” produced by Aija Bērziņa for Tasse Films, will be released at the end of 2026. The show revolves around Inese and Miķelis, a couple who, in 1988, resort to a fake divorce to keep their family apartment in Soviet Riga. Despite their separation, they continue to harbor feelings for each other. Markova, the creator, emphasizes that storytelling is about portraying characters rather than landscapes. She believes that while an unusual or intriguing setting can enhance a story, it’s the depth and authenticity of the characters that truly make a narrative great. She warns against regional storytelling being limited by overly serious or stiff perspectives, as this can hinder audience engagement. Instead, she aims to challenge popular opinions and established beliefs in every story they tell.

“Troll Farm”

Creators: Domantė Urmonaitė, Martynas Mendelis, Gabija Siurbytė, Ernestas Jankauskas

Director: Ernestas Jankauskas

Gabija Siurbytė, who is also a co-creator, takes the lead as Ana, a powerful corporate figure in heels, who finds herself unjustly let go. Determined to restore her tarnished reputation and seek retribution, Ana faces a challenging task with only a barn at her disposal. “Troll Farm,” produced by Dansu Films, which previously worked alongside Netflix’s Swedish crime series “Clark” during its Lithuanian shoot, has aired on Lithuanian National Television and Radio as well as TeliaPlay+. The series was chosen for the Berlinale Series Market in 2023 and received an award at the TV Beats Co-Financing Market in Tallinn.

“Von Fock” (aka “Detective Von Fock”)

Creators: Leana Jalukse and Lilian von Keudell

Director: Arun Tamm

As a movie reviewer, I’ve just had the pleasure of watching “Paul von Fock,” an enthralling period drama distributed by ZDF Studios. This captivating production is a groundbreaking collaboration between Italy, Latvia, and Germany, making history as the first co-produced show at such a large scale in these countries, under the visionary direction of Estonia’s Arun Tamm.

This series marks another milestone as it becomes the first Estonian TV production to secure funding from Creative Europe Media and Eurimages. The tale is a classic whodunnit set in the early 19th century, revolving around the enigmatic character of Paul von Fock, portrayed by Priit Pius, who may be shy with women, but when it comes to solving crimes, he leaves no stone unturned.

The series is based on the novels by Ain Kütt and was masterfully created by Leana Jalukse and Lilian von Keudell. The production houses responsible for this magnificent work are Zolba Productions from Estonia, Berghein Production and Nafta from Latvia, Movie.Mento, Albolina Film, and Eesti Telefilm from Italy.

The relentless determination of the producers Toomas Luhats, Jevgeni Supin, and Helen Lõhmus was pivotal in securing funding for this ambitious project. They took considerable risks, and I’m delighted to say that their efforts have proven successful. This series is a testament to their courage and the reward of taking chances – it has truly been worth the wait.

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2025-02-17 21:17