Series Mania Spotlights Icelandic Thrillers and International Co-Productions

Series Mania has unveiled 15 new projects selected for its Co-Pro Pitching Sessions, set to take place on March 24th as part of the Series Mania Forum (March 24-26). The winner will receive a €50,000 ($59,000) prize, judged by a panel including Alexandre Piel, Laura Mae Harding, Alon Aranya, Johanna Gårdare, and jury president Jorge Pezzi.

Icelandic Crime Dramas Take Center Stage

Among the selected projects, Icelandic productions are prominently featured. Glassriver will present “Konrad,” based on the best-selling novels by Arnaldur Indriðason. The series follows a retired detective grappling with his past and seeking redemption. Creator and writer Andri Óttarsson notes the series is based on a literary work that has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, bringing a built-in global audience. “Konrad” is described as a psychological character study wrapped in a crime thriller, blending slow-burn mystery with emotional revelation.

Another Icelandic offering, “Death of a Diplomat,” produced by Truenorth Nordic, is based on the debut novel by Eliza Reid, former First Lady of Iceland. The story centers on the wife of the Canadian ambassador who becomes embroiled in a murder investigation at a high-profile event.

International Collaborations Drive New Series

Several projects highlight international co-productions. German series “Ignition,” described as a “high-octane, female-led action series,” explores a car mechanic’s descent into the criminal underworld. The series aims to fill a gap in the market for gritty, East German-set dramas.

“Fit,” an Israeli series, examines the lives of residents in a suburban high-rise when security footage from the building’s gym goes viral.

Brutal Media, owned by BBC Studios, will bring “The Glacier Murders,” adapted from a novel by Cristian Perfumo, a Spanish-Chilean co-production. The story follows a young Spaniard who inherits a hotel in Patagonia and discovers a decades-old frozen corpse.

ARTE France continues its partnership with Movistar Plus+, building on previous collaborations like “The New Years” [1] and “Hierro”. The collaboration extends to “Anatomy of a Moment,” directed by Alberto Rodríguez and starring Álvaro Morte, based on Javier Cercas’ novel about the 23-F coup attempt [3]. ARTE France also acquired “La Mesías” and “Querer” [1].

Diverse Genres and Nationalities Represented

The lineup also includes series from France (“Dejima,” “Montroc”), Belgium (“Dark Moors”), the United Kingdom (“Imposter Syndrome”), Finland (“Power Couple”), Italy (“The Transfer of the Century”), South Africa (“Twisted Vines”), Latvia (“Aurora.Newsroom.”), and Kyrgyzstan (“Red Pants”).

“Aurora.Newsroom.”, a Latvian series, focuses on an investigative journalist uncovering a spy network operating in the Baltics. “Red Pants” from Kyrgyzstan, inspired by true events, tells the story of teenage girls challenging patriarchal norms in Soviet-era Central Asia.

Series Mania Forum: A Development Accelerator

Series Mania’s Forum has a proven track record, with over 40 projects produced and broadcast across numerous territories since its launch [1]. The initiative provides a platform for producers to connect with potential co-producers, distributors, and broadcasters, facilitating the global reach of ambitious series.