Netflix Expands ‘Scandisaster’ Universe with ‘Florida,’ a Standalone Sequel to ‘La Palma’
Netflix is doubling down on its success with Norwegian disaster cinema. The streaming giant has officially greenlit Florida, a mini-series sequel to the hit non-English language series La Palma. While the original series captivated audiences with its high-stakes tension in the Canary Islands, the upcoming sequel shifts the geography and the perspective while maintaining the same catastrophic momentum.
From the Canary Islands to the Sunshine State
La Palma established itself as a global hit, ranking in Netflix’s top 10 non-English language charts. Partly based on the real-world 2021 Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption, the original series followed a Norwegian family on holiday who had to navigate the chaos of an imminent volcanic eruption and the threat of a catastrophic tsunami.
Florida serves as a standalone sequel that picks up the narrative just hours after the volcanic eruption depicted in the first series. However, the focus shifts across the Atlantic to a Norwegian community living in the United States. The dramatic tension of the new series centers on this community’s oblivion; they remain unaware that a devastating tsunami is currently on its way to the Florida coast.
The Creative Team Behind the Chaos
The series is written by Lars Gudmestad and directed by Cecilie Mosli. Both are working with Fantefilm, the production house renowned for its “Scandisaster” productions, which include La Palma and The Burning Sea.
Gudmestad expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “To be able to make Florida is a dream I have had for a long time and I am very pleased that Netflix also believes in the project. Our ambition is to create a spectacular disaster series with characters audiences can recognize themselves in and truly care about, and that’s why it’s so reassuring to have such a talented and experienced director like Cecilie with us on this journey.”
Director Cecilie Mosli highlighted the psychological draw of the genre, noting that “people confronted with crises are the most fascinating starting point for drama.”
Key Takeaways: What to Expect from ‘Florida’
- Format: A standalone mini-series sequel.
- Timeline: The story begins just hours after the eruption in La Palma.
- Setting: A Norwegian community in Florida, USA.
- Core Conflict: The race against an incoming tsunami that the characters do not yet see coming.
- Release Window: The series is expected to premiere in 2027.
The Rise of the ‘Scandisaster’
The partnership between Netflix and Fantefilm signals a growing appetite for high-production-value disaster dramas originating from Scandinavia. By blending realistic geological threats—like the Cumbre Vieja eruption—with intimate human drama, these productions create a visceral experience that transcends language barriers. La Palma featured strong performances from Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, and Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, setting a high bar for the character-driven storytelling Gudmestad aims to replicate in Florida.
As Netflix continues to invest in localized content with global appeal, Florida represents a strategic move to build a franchise around the “Scandisaster” brand, moving from isolated incidents to a connected universe of catastrophe.