​DRG acquires rights to For Life

Norway’s first police procedural to be launched for pre-sale at MIPTV

22^nd March 2019: Hot on the heels of The White Wall and 22 July, DRG is delighted to announce that it has acquired the rights to its third big new scripted series from Scandinavia this year. For Life is a fresh and distinctive new episodic crime series and, as Norway’s first police procedural, it is promising to shake up the genre. DRG will be launching the series for pre-sale at MIPTV next month.

Created and written by International Emmy Award-winning Gjermund S. Eriksen (Mammon, Aber Bergen) and co-written by Helena Nielsen (Lilyhammer, Aber Bergen, Black Widows), the 8 x 60 series is being produced by Monster, Norway’s largest production company, for NRK. Along with DRG, the Norwegian Film Institute has also invested in the For Life.

For Life follows the story of Victoria Woll (Tone Mostraum, Eyewitness, ZombieLars) a hardened National Crime Service investigator, across two different timelines: in the present, where it’s her job to solve cases and put criminals behind bars, and in the future, where she is in prison. Every episode will feature a present-day, exciting standalone case as its main story, along with new pieces to the continuing puzzle that is Victoria and why she is fighting for her freedom a few years down the line.

For Life promises to re-invent Scandi drama with a witty, sparkling script - packed with suspense, topical issues, and diverse crimes – all delivered by its complex lead character and an impressive supporting ensemble cast. The cast includes Iselin Shumba (ZombieLars), Ingar Helge Gimle (Rekyl), Judy Karanja (Valkyrien), Hallvard Holmen (Magnus), Vidar Sandem (Mammon) and Mattis Herman Nyquist (Nobel).

The series also plans to turn traditional Scandi Noir on its head. Rose d’Or and Golden Nymph award-winning producer Håkon Briseid (Nobel, Borderline) explains: “There are many brilliant Scandi Noir shows in the market, including Gjermund S. Eriksen’s previous series Mammon, but we want to show that Nordic high production values and clever storylines don’t’ always have to be dark, gloomy and founded in fear and anxiety. For Life will also have joy, humour, warmth and hope – adding new layers of contrast to the episodic crime universe. In this way, we hope what we are terming a ‘Happy Noir’ approach can build a more complete emotional experience for viewers.”

Ivar Køhn, head of drama at NRK adds: “We are delighted to announce this new series and have DRG launch it to the international market in Cannes. I believe the industry has been looking to Scandinavia for a new police procedural and For Life, which is Norway’s first, will make people sit up and notice. It’s got plenty of the core elements you would expect for the genre but we’ve mixed it up with an intriguing premise, dual timelines and a distinctive lightness of touch.”

Dave Clarke, DRG’s EVP of content was responsible for obtaining the rights. He comments: “Monster and NRK have an enviable track record for producing entertaining and gripping drama so this refreshingly different police procedural, created by the very talented Gjermund S. Erikson, was immediately something in which DRG wanted to invest. Strong Scandinavian scripted titles have worked well for us in the international marketplace, and we are confident that by having a different style of Nordic drama on offer, this series will attract early interest as we take it out for pre-sale at MIPTV this year.”

Producers of For Life are Håkon Briseid (Nobel, Borderline, Young and Promising) and Bård Fjulsrud (Young and Promising, Borderline, The Retail Estate Agents). Series consultant is triple International Emmy Award-winner Sven Clausen, a former producer on NYPD Blue and executive producer for the successful Nordic crime series Mobile Unit (aka Unit One). For Lifehas just gone into production in Norway and will deliver to NRK later this year.

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About DRG

DRG is an innovative, creative and fast moving business with content at its core. Starting life as a conventional programme distributor in 2007, the company has evolved into a 360-degree content business that today is involved with programme origination and development, financing, talent, production, production services and distribution. DRG also wholly owns Atrium TV, the new international drama ‘commissioning club’, focused on the development of blue chip scripted projects.

Covering scripted and unscripted content, as well as formats, DRG has built its reputation by working closely with, and investing in, a wide range of internationally recognised production companies, as well as by using its expertise in the domestic and international markets to help incubate promising start-ups. DRG has an extensive catalogue of more than 13,000 hours and 150 formats: the business has taken Doc Martin to more than 100 territories, including 7 international remakes, was a driving force in bringing Scandi Noir to the world and has nurtured The Farm to become one of the world’s most established competitive reality formats, with versions airing in more 50 territories over a 10-year period.

DRG is part of Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group). Headquartered in Stockholm, NENT Group is part of Modern Times Group MTG AB (publ), a leading international digital entertainment group listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (‘MTGA’ and ‘MTGB’).

About Monster

Monster is the leading production company in Norway, and a key provider of content in both scripted and non-scripted entertainment. Monster has produced top formats like “Strictly Come Dancing”, “Idol” and “Got Talent”, as well as big factual formats like “Who Do You Think You Are”. In recent years Monster has focused mainly on developing new factual formats such as “Born on”, “The Stream” and “The Ultimate Entertainer”. Monster is also the creator of high-end dramas such as “Nobel” and “Borderliner”. Monster is part of Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT).

For further information, please contact:

Michelle Waldron, Beyond the Box

michelle@beyond-the-box.tv

+44 (0) 7768 568970