​TV2 and Netflix are collaborating on a new TV series using the Oslo Accords of 1993 as a backdrop

Today it was revealed that TV2, alongside the streaming service Netflix and Israeli broadcaster HOT are launching the thriller under the working title, “What Happened in Oslo”. The series opens with a young Norwegian girl being kidnapped in the Sinai desert; purportedly there’s a connection to the 1993 negotiations between Israel and Palestine in Oslo. The series is produced by Norway’s ‘Monster Scripted’ in conjunction with Israel’s ‘Drama Team’.

Norwegian Kyrre Holm Tønne Johannessen, together with Israeli Ronit Weiss-Berkowitz wrote the script for the thriller which is set between Oslo, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and the Sinai desert. The author’s commented: 

“We were inspired by the secretive negotiations in Oslo in 1993. The impossible happened: Enemies managed to reconcile and become friends, then everything collapsed and they found themselves sliding back towards old hostilities. Today the gulf between the parties is larger than ever; a tantalising backdrop for both drama and excitement”.

Potential
Manager and Producer at ‘Monster Scripted’, Håkon Briseid, has been following the plethora of exciting projects which have originated from the ever growing Israeli production industry. Together with the Head of Drama at TV2, Christopher Haug, Briseid travelled to Israel a little under two years ago where the idea behind What Happened in Oslo struck them. 

“We met with several producers but we were really impressed by The Drama Team. They’ve been involved in the production of the Israeli / American version of ‘Hostages’, alongside other acclaimed series such as ‘In Treatment’ which was adopted by HBO. It’s been truly exciting to collaborate with them on this project”, explained the producer.

Quite the undertaking
TV2 has been involved in the development of the series from the very beginning and has high hopes for the final product. 

“TV2 is always on the hunt for the best stories - in this instance, we’ll be presenting the Norwegian people with a high end Norwegian thriller which incorporates international overtones. We have enormous faith in the fact that the audience’s eyes will be glued to the screen and we couldn’t be happier knowing that both Netflix and HOT feel the same way. We’re looking forward to the collaboration” TV2’s Head of Drama, Christopher Haug is quoted as saying.

About What Happened in Oslo
During the 10 episode thriller, we meet Alexandra (Alex) and Karl, whose lives are turned upside down when they receive a phone call originating from Jerusalem. Their daughter, Pia (24) is missing, and the parents find themselves completely in the dark, a parent’s worst case scenario. She’s disappeared? Why was she even there in the first place? Seeking answers they desperately need, they travel to Israel where Alex calls on an old friend, Arik, for help. They first met during the Oslo Accords 26 years earlier and Arik has since clawed his way up the political hierarchy in his home country. Perhaps he can help? Fearing the worst, the parents search for Pia both in Israel and then Gaza, where Layla, another of Alex’s friends from the Oslo Accords is based. As time begins to blend together there’s still no trace of Pia. That is, until they receive a video. The video shows Pia and two Israelis standing out from the harsh desert landscape in orange prison jumpsuits, surrounded by ISIS soldiers. Their demands? Simple. Release 11 ISIS prisoners from Israel and 1 from Norway, or see your daughter executed.

What Happened in Oslo is a story about three people from different worlds who against all odds, became friends. 26 years later the gulf between them has never been wider. Can they reignite the friendship which once existed between them?

The series is scheduled to start shooting at the start of 2020.

Credits:

Script: Kyrre Holm Tønne Johannessen and Ronit Weiss-Berkowitz

Produced by Monster Scripted and Drama Team for TV2, Netflix and HOT.