Munich - German public broadcaster ZDF has secured the first Finnish-German drama co-production, "Arctic Circle" (10 x 45’), an Elisa Viihde original series, from Bavaria Fiction.
Co-produced by Yellow Film & TV, the largest independent production company in the Nordics, and Bavaria Fiction, one of Europe’s largest production companies, the acclaimed crime-thriller series will now be available to German audiences next year on ZDF. The worldwide premiere of "Arctic Circle" (Finnish title: Ivalo) aired on Elisa Viihde on 21 December 2018, featuring a star-studded cast including Iina Kuustonen (Nurses), Maximilian Brückner (War Horse), Clemens Schick (Casino Royale) and Pihla Viitala (Black Widows). Directed by Hannu Salonen (Shades of Guilt), "Arctic Circle" is executive produced by Milla Bruneau (Nurses) from Yellow Film & TV’s and Bavaria Fiction’s Moritz Polter (Das Boot).
Simone Emmelius, ZDF SVP International Fiction:
"Arctic Circle is an extraordinary crime series, bringing light and warmheartedness into cold and dangerous surroundings. It perfectly fits our audience‘s anticipation of ZDF‘s Sunday evening slot".
Moritz Polter, Executive Producer International TV Series, Bavaria Fiction:
"Arctic Circle brings together an impressive array of acclaimed talent from across Europe both on and off screen. Set in the breathtakingly beautiful scenery of the polar region, Arctic Circle is a compelling and visually powerful drama – turning Nordic Noir into Nordic White. ZDF is known for its Scandinavian crime programming – Arctic Circle could not have found a better home in Germany.”
Commissioned by the leading digital entertainment service in Finland, Elisa Viihde, and with Free TV rights acquired by broadcasting company YLE, Lagardère Studios Distribution acts as the international distributor for "Arctic Circle", while Bavaria Fiction manages German-speaking rights.
