Nordisk Film’s Marike Muselaers Reveals Exciting New Series and Co-Production Strategies!

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Marike Muselaers, Vice President of International Financing & Co-Production for Nordisk Film Production (known for being a major player), has revealed an impressive lineup of high-quality series. In fact, her collaboration titled “The Institute” is currently being showcased during the Series Mania CoPro Pitching event on Tuesday.

The four-part Danish series “Snake Killer,” hailing from Denmark and produced by Amazon MGM Studios, marks Prime Video’s first original series in Denmark. This gripping crime show, created and directed by Anders Ølholm, famous for the hit thriller “Enforcement” (“Shorta”), follows Copenhagen’s mobile drug squad (Uropatruljen). The story revolves around a renegade cop known for bending the rules to enforce them. Enraged by the brutal murder of one of his informants, he declares war on an enigmatic crime family. Pilou Asbæk (“Game of Thrones,” “A War”) stars in this thrilling series.

The showcase highlights Nordisk Film Production’s aspirations and distinctive ability to capitalize opportunities effectively within a cutthroat industry. Here, financial decisions have returned to the control of producers, rather than being influenced by budget-conscious broadcasters or streaming platforms.

Muselaers, who is an ex-co-CEO of Benelux Lumiere Group and a renowned moderator, mentioned that due to the accelerated timeline for this project, we had to act swiftly, cover any financial shortfalls ourselves, and assume a strategic risk. A perk of being in Nordisk Film’s powerful network is this flexibility. We’re currently negotiating second-run rights with broadcasters across the Nordics, and seeking global partners beyond that region, as shared by Muselaers, who was brought on board by Katrine Vogelsang, CEO of Nordisk Film Production in 2023 to strengthen the group’s international co-production efforts.

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, the Norwegian crime series titled “Sogn Murders” (working title) utilized a unique funding approach involving multiple broadcasters. This production was commissioned by TV2 Norway and co-produced with a German broadcaster, while also securing pre-buys from other Nordic broadcasters.

Today, broadcasters rarely finance projects entirely, instead relying on co-financing models. This means that producers must expand their efforts to secure funding on the international market and establish a more extensive network for acquisition and licensing pre-sales. In the past, these pre-sales brought in revenue; however, now they serve as financing mechanisms – a shift that reflects the evolving landscape of the industry.

As Muselaers pointed out, while this change presents challenges, it also opens up new opportunities within this “new normal.

In the fictional world of crime novelist Jørgen Jæger’s “Ole Vik,” the series titled “Sogn Murders” is co-written by experienced writers Kathrine Valen Zeiner and Kristoffer Metclaffe. This crime drama takes place against the picturesque setting of Norway’s Sognefjord, where Police Chief Ole Vik and his dedicated team work on solving murder cases while dealing with their personal struggles. The series may return for another season in 2026, produced by Sigur Mikal Karoliussen from Nordisk Film Production Norway.

In another style, the six-episode series “Take Care” (“Løgnen”), commissioned by TV2 Denmark, is based around the health and social services sector in the suburban district of Vestegnen, situated west of central Copenhagen. The narrative focuses on Rie, a seasoned social worker, who aspires to advance within the system while mentoring Sille, a rebellious young caregiver. When their supervisor, Patrick, begins inappropriately pursuing Sille, Rie faces a grave ethical quandary with tragic consequences.

In the upcoming production titled “Take Care,” experienced actors Iben Hjejle, Lars Ranthe, and Zaki Nobel join rapper Tessa in her first screen role. Notable figures behind the scenes include creator-head writer Karina Dam, director Louise Friedberg, seasoned producers Trin Hjortkjær Thomsen, and Camilla Hammerich. According to Dam, “Take Care” is a compelling tale that sheds light on the everyday misuse of power within a profession that requires more acknowledgement and recognition than it currently receives. The premiere is scheduled for May 2025.

In a similar vein, exploring the intricate dance of power dynamics, “The Institute” – chosen for Series Mania’s Co-Pro Pitch – is jointly produced by Nordisk Film Production Denmark (with a majority stake) and Boxworks Media from Germany. This six-part thriller, still in development, is penned and directed by Esther Gronenborn and takes place within the academic scientific community of Denmark. As described by Muselærs, it’s a narrative that delves into power imbalances and abuses within academia, but also emphasizes sisterhood. Muselærs was quickly captivated by the concept when first presented by Boxworks Media producer Irina Ignatiew-Lemke. At present, Deborah Bayer Marlow of Nordisk Film Production is assembling a team of German-Scandinavian writers and considering potential casting choices.

Right Mix

Muselaers elaborated on Nordisk Film Production’s broader strategy for drama production. He revealed that by 2027, the Scandinavian label aims to commission ten series in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. The content will encompass a diverse range of genres, including crime dramas, romantic comedies, and period pieces. This blend will reflect the strong Nordic heritage while also showcasing international appeal by combining elements from both regions.

Our content is crafted from unique concepts, either conceived by established creators and wordsmiths or nurtured within our organization, or it’s based on popular intellectual properties. It’s fortunate that we have a research team scouring for suitable IP throughout Scandinavia to cater to our diverse production divisions, as mentioned by Muselaers. Being a part of the Egmont Group, Nordisk Film Production enjoys collaboration and knowledge exchange with its fellow film companies such as Zentropa, Drive Studios in Denmark, Maipo Film, Fantefilm in Norway, Solar Films in Finland, and other sister ventures in gaming, podcasting, and publishing. Recently, Nordisk Film Production has even joined forces with Avalanche Studios Group, the Scandinavian group’s gaming label, to encourage collaboration across various platforms and stimulate creativity and innovation.

In my role as a movie reviewer, I’ve come to appreciate the significance of having a skilled producer to craft the perfect blend of content. Over the past year or more, Nordisk Film Production, under the guidance of Muselaers, Vogelsang, and their team, have prioritized attracting top-tier production talent. We’re not just talking about film here, but also series – even long-running ones.

Recently, we’ve bolstered our 22-strong team of Scandinavian producers with some heavy hitters. Mia Marie Borup, known for her work on TV2 Denmark’s “Sjit Happens,” and several DR Christmas calendar series, has joined us. So has Michael Bille Frandsen, responsible for “Seaside Hotel” and “The Eagle.” Lejla Bešić, a veteran of Swedish productions like Netflix’s “The Breakthrough,” SVT’s “Vanguard,” and Discovery’s “Suburbia,” also now calls Nordisk Film Production home. She was previously at FLX.

These pedigreed names bring a wealth of experience to our team, and I can’t wait to see the magic they’ll weave with their storytelling skills!

Muselaers mentioned that some of their content creators work primarily with traditional broadcasters, while others focus on streaming platforms. The key is striking a good balance between both. He excitedly shared that they are embarking on this new journey!

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2025-03-25 09:17