Prominent Icelandic production company Grass River has partnered with Italian distributor True Colors on “Brkn,” a Scandinavian psychological thriller series about the investigation into the disappearance of a non-binary teenager, based on the novel “Brotin” by Jon Atli Jonasson.
Jon Atli Jonasson (pictured above) is a novelist, playwright, and screenwriter known for co-writing the 2013 Oscar-nominated film The Deep and the Finnish-German crime series Arctic Circle. He is co-creating the high-profile show Brun in collaboration with theater director Torleifer Ørn Arnarsson and playwright, novelist and musician Margret Ørnólfsdóttir (The Murders in Valhalla, Fanger).
This psychological thriller, set in Reykjavík, focuses on female and male police officers Dora and Rado as they investigate the disappearance of a non-binary teenager named Morgan. According to the synopsis, their search turns into a high-stakes case that involves “a complex interplay of organized crime, corporate power, and police corruption.” The synopsis adds that Dora had recently returned to duty after a “traumatic incident” in which she was shot in the head while trying to stop her boyfriend from committing suicide. Meanwhile, Rado’s family emerges as suspects.
Glassriver has signed a worldwide distribution agreement for “Brkn” with True Colors, which will handle international distribution for the series currently in development.
True Colors, co-owned by Italy’s Indigo Film and Lucky Red, is expanding from feature films into television content under new management, Elliott Gustin-Holman, formerly of Paris-based distribution giant Newen Connect.
The “Brkn” series is the latest addition to Glassriver’s current oeuvre, which consists of “Avalanche,” a co-production with Finland’s Whatevergroup. Popular Icelandic author Arnaldur Indrisason’s “Konráð” series, which recently became an option, is being made into a movie. And currently in production is the comedy drama “Hot Stuff,” co-produced with Romania’s IDEA Film.
“‘Brkn’ pushes the boundaries of the Nordic crime genre and represents the unique and original storytelling we champion at Grass River,” company co-owner Andri Omarsson said in a statement. “We are thrilled to partner with True Colors as we continue to share Iceland’s bold and unique stories with the world.”
Gustin commented, “A year after launching our series distribution business, we are delighted to partner with Grass River. This demonstrates our ability as an independent distribution company to support bold, high-quality projects. ‘Brkn’ is a series with tremendous potential, and we are confident it will achieve international recognition and success.”
