MTG’s Viaplay, TVNZ Join Forces on Banijay’s Drama ‘Straight Forward’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Viaplay, Modern Times Group’s premium streaming service, is joining forces with New Zealand’s public broadcaster TVNZ to produce “Straight Forward,” a new original series which was created by New Zealand writer John Banas (“Blue Heelers”).

An international crime comedy drama, “Straight Forward” is set against the backdrops of Queenstown and Copenhagen. The series follows a Danish woman who attempts to leave her criminal past behind and makes a fresh start in a small New Zealand town.

Banijay production companies, Screentime New Zealand and Mastiff Denmark are on board to produce the series. Viaplay and TVNZ are co-producing, in association with Acorn Media Enterprises and Acorn TV, which also holds North American, UK, and Australian rights to the series.

Jakob Mejlhede, exec VP of MTG and head of programming and content development, said “Straight Forward” was a “multinational drama showcasing incredible talent from two continents.”

MTG has been having a strong record with its original TV and films, including “SuperSwede” which was just picked up by IM Global Television; “Veni Vidi Vici” which will premiere on Hulu in December; “Black Lake” which was acquired by BBC Four and AMC Networks’s Shudder; and “Swedish Dicks” which is repped by Lionsgate and aired on Pop TV in the U.S.

“MTG’s recent announcements prove we can create unique stories and sell them around the world and our momentum just keeps accelerating — success breeds success,” said Mejlhede.

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