Glassriver's "Elma" Crime Thriller Secures International Distribution with Mediawan Rights
Icelandic production company Glassriver, known for series like "Black Sands" and "As Long as We Live," has partnered with Mediawan Rights for the international distribution of their upcoming crime thriller series, "Elma." The series is based on the best-selling book series by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir.
Partnerships and Production
The distribution deal, secured with Mediawan Rights for territories outside of Iceland and Finland, also includes a co-production agreement with Lunanime in Belgium and involvement from MTV Finland. Additional private equity investors and partners are expected to be announced later, according to Glassriver CEO and producer Andri Ómarsson.
"'Elma' is an Icelandic crime story, that’s ready to take on the world! We are proud to partner with the Mediawan team; their deep understanding of European markets and proven success with high-end drama make them the ideal partner to help us champion this story beyond Iceland.” - Andri Ómarsson, Glassriver CEO.
"The Creak on the Stairs": Season One
The first season, titled "The Creak on the Stairs," adapts the first book in the "Elma" series. Production is slated to begin on October 7th in Iceland. The series will be directed by Katrín Björgvinsdóttir ("The Minister," "As Long as We Live") and Thora Hilmarsdóttir ("The Rising," "Stella Blómkvist").
Eva Björg Ægisdóttir and Nordic Noir
When Eva Björg Ægisdóttir debuted in 2018, she was celebrated as a major talent in the crime genre, compared to established authors like Arnaldur Indriðason and Yrsa Sigurðardóttir. Her writing blends Nordic Noir elements with psychological depth. "The Creak on the Stairs" achieved significant success in Iceland, topping book charts and winning the CWA Debut Dagger-Blackbird Award, leading to translations in over 20 territories, including France and the UK.
The Story of Elma
The TV adaptation is written by Karen Björg Eyfjörð Þorsteinsdóttir ("Ordinary People"), Elísabet Hall, and Urður Egilsdóttir (Glassriver's upcoming "Manifesto"). The story centers on Elma, a police detective who returns to her hometown of Akranes after a romantic setback, joining the local police force.
"When a woman’s body is found lying at the foot of a lighthouse, terrible secrets could well resurface from the past. In this small Icelandic town with its oppressive atmosphere, could salvation come to Elma from her colleague, Saevar?" - Logline for "The Creak on the Stairs."
Glassriver's Expanding Slate
Glassriver is actively producing high-quality scripted content, including the disaster series "Avalanche" starring Elin Hall, the comedy-drama "Hot Stuff" with Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson and Saga Garðarsdóttir, and the recently optioned "Konrad" book series by Arnaldur Indriðason. They are also co-producing "Masquerade" with Nicholas Weinstock ("Severance") and Marc Lorber (The Art of Coproduction).
