Lasse Hallstrom to Direct Drama Series ‘The Darkness’ With Lena Olin for CBS Studios, Stampede, Truenorth
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CBS Studios on Thursday unveiled new premium drama series The Darkness, a co-production from CBS Studios and Icelandic production firm Truenorth and executive producers Stampede Ventures, starring Oscar nominee Lena Olin (Enemies, A Love Story, Hunters, Chocolat, The Artist’s Wife, Hilma), which Oscar nominee Lasse Hallström (Chocolat, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Hilma) is set to direct.
The English-language six-episode series will start shooting in Iceland later this year for local broadcaster Síminn. The series reunites Olin with director Hallström in his first foray into television. The project was announced at Rome’s MIA Market.
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Based on the best-selling thriller series by Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson, The Darkness follows Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir “as she investigates a shocking murder case whilst coming to terms with her own personal traumas,” according to a plot description. “Faced with an impending early retirement and forced to take on a new partner, Hulda is determined to find the killer, even if it means putting her own life in danger.”
The Darkness is written by Sam Shore (CBBC’s Mystic), with him and Jónasson serving as executive producers. Stampede CEO and founder Greg Silverman and Stampede executive vp, head of international content and IP acquisitions John-Paul Sarni serve as executive producers for the company, with director of development for international content Amelia Mysko serving as co-producer. The series will be distributed outside of Iceland by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
“With The Darkness, CBS Studios solidifies its commitment to telling captivating stories with extraordinary talent in front of and behind the camera,” said Lindsey Martin, senior vp, international co-productions and development at CBS Studios. “The team was able to create a visionary, propulsive, English-language crime drama from Jónasson’s rich, fascinating source material and we are excited for audiences to see this thrilling series come to life on the screen.”
Said Sarni: “Ragnar Jónasson created an incredible character in Hulda that we’re thrilled to be bringing to life with the incomparable Lena Olin. Sam Shore’s writing of the series further adds to the mystery that will keep audiences riveted and guessing at every turn.”
Silverman added: “Lasse Hallström is a world-class storyteller who captures humanity on an operatic scale. We’re ecstatic to have him as our partner on this series.”
And Kristinn Thordarson, senior vp film and television at Truenorth, said: “Ragnar Jónasson has become synonymous with Nordic mystery, and the Hulda series of books is a clever and captivating world we’re thrilled to explore as premium television drama, and to be working with the talent of Lasse Hallström and Lena Olin on this series.”
The slate of international co-productions from CBS Studios also includes the likes of Colin From Accounts, Munich Games, Bestseller Boy and the upcoming NCIS: Sydney, in addition to Gold Diggers, which was the first co-production between CBS Studios and Stampede Ventures.
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