CBS Studios, Stampede Ventures and Truenorth have announcedthat production will begin later this year on new drama series THE DARKNESS, a co-production from CBS Studios and Icelandic production company Truenorth and executive producers Stampede Ventures, with Oscar® nominee Lena Olin (Enemies, A Love Story, Hunters, Chocolat, The Artist’s Wife, Hilma) set to star and two-time Oscar® nominee Lasse Hallström (Chocolat, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Hilma) to direct. The English language six-episode series will shoot in Iceland for local broadcaster Síminn. The series reunites Olin with director Hallström, which is his first foray into television.
Based on the best-selling thriller series by 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. 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.
“With THE DARKNESS, CBS Studios solidifies its commitment to telling captivating stories with extraordinary talent in front of and behind the camera,” says Lindsey Martin, Sr. Vice President, International Co-Productions & Development, 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.”
“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,” said John-Paul Sarni, EVP, Head of International Content and IP Acquisitions. CEO and Founder, Greg 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.”
“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,” said Kristinn Thordarson, SVP of Film and Television at Truenorth.
THE DARKNESS is written by Sam Shore (CBBC’s MYSTIC). Silverman and Sarni serve as executive producers for Stampede Ventures, with Director of Development for International Content, Amelia Mysko as co-producer. Jónasson also serves as executive producer. The series will be distributed outside of Iceland by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
THE DARKNESS expands the slate of international co-productions from CBS Studios, which includes critically acclaimed series and fan favorites 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.