Göteborg’s 20th edition of its TV Drama Vision confab looks like it could be one of the powerful ever with some of the biggest Nordic and European drama creators from 13 countries set to pitch 15 projects at the Series in Development lineup.

Headlining the slate of eight high-end Nordic shows looking for co-financiers and co-producers is the psycho thriller “A Phone Rings in the Middle of the Night,” created by the team behind the Palme d’Or winner “Triangle of Sadness” and Sundance-Berlin winner “Fantastic Machine.”

”This is the first fiction series for Plattform Produktion, but we’ve always said that we would venture into TV drama if we could find something that could make best use of the episodic narrative format in an organic way,” said Ruben Östlund’s long-time production partner Erik Hemmendorff. who adds: “We feel excited to produce a series in the same way that we produce our feature films.”While the thriller “A Phone Rings…” is based on true events, other Nordic projects will offer thought-provoking takes on our contemporary world.

In “Fantasy Resort”, the team behind the multi-awarded Norwegian show “Requiem for Selina” will use a similar universe to question the impact of reality TV on young people; in the drama “Scandinavia,” co-writers Geir Henning Hopland (“Headhunters”), Jörgen Hjerdt (“Blue Eyes,” “Taelgia”) and Anton Breum (“A Sámi Wedding”) examine a future in which NATO no longer exists and Denmark, Norway and Sweden have formed a single nation with a common defence, economy and politics to face fascism in Europe. In the Faroe Islands-set political drama “Tinganes,” creator-producer Torfinnur Jákupsson (“Trom”) focuses on “sovereignty in the age of surveillance” and “what happens when a small nation becomes the frontline of global power,” while Iceland’s Eagle Egilsson**, **“The Wire” cinematographer and a director of the Starz Original “Hightown.” will dive into the smallest Nordic nation’s financial crash and its aftermath in “Greed.”

Among the seven high-end European Series in Development, four are presented in collaboration with partner organisations. The Spanish mystery drama “Dark Waters” (Federation Spain) which won the TV Drama Vision Select Award at the recent Tallinn TV Beats Forum, is being showcased by Catalan Films, the Spain-France-Belgium thriller“Smuggled” (Mediacrest, Oble, AT-Prod) with Conecta Fiction & Entertainment, the Belgium period thriller-tragicomedy “Belle Epoque” with Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF) and Polish dark comedy “We Are Still Here” with Midpoint Institute.

‘Dark Waters’ presentation at the Talllinn Film Festival this November (L-R) Cia Edstrom, María Rocher. Credit: Annika Pham

In a groundbreaking move for TV Drama Vision, the Swedish youth comedy “In My Hands” will mirror the latest global production crave for micro dramas. “This is our very first vertical/micro series to be selected for pitching. We really like the project, and we aim to highlight this content trend, not only through panels but also through concrete projects,” said TV Drama Vision honcho Cia Edström.

Commenting on her 2026 Series in Development covering a “wide spectrum genre-wise, ranging from historical romance and youth comedy to political drama,” Edström said “the submissions we received show that there are many strong creators and producers in Europe today, but also that due to the challenging times in the drama industry, there is a need for more time and support in the development phase.” More than 800 delegates from 30 countries are expected at this year’s TV Drama Vision, due to unspool under the headline “One Transformation After Another,” with 50 series and 100 on-stage speakers including heavyweight U.S. producer-screenwriter James Schamus and Germany showrunner Katharina Eyssen (“The Empress”), as reported earlier.

The Göteborg Film Festival’s parallel boutique industry event dedicated to drama series will unspool Jan. 27-28 and its film-focused Nordic Film Market over Jan. 28-30.

**Full Rundown on TV Drama Vision’s Series in Development **Nordic Series in Development

“A Phone Rings in the Middle of the Night***,***” (“En Telefon Ringer Mitt i Natten”, 4X58’, Sweden) Written and directed by Mikel Cee Karlsson

Produced by Erik Hemmendorff, Axel Danielson, Maximilien Van Aertryck for Plattform Produktion and SVT The psycho thriller is based on true events that unfolded in a small Swedish town between 1970 and 2014. “On a summer night in 2010, Mats, a drummer in a local dance band, is jolted awake by a phone call. On the other end: silence. Moments later, his phone lights up with a text: “You fat, disgusting pig.” This marks the beginning of two years of relentless terror directed at Mats and his family, unraveling a dark story that began over 40 years earlier,” runs the logline. The show “redefines the revenge story in an interesting and complex way,” says Ruben Östlund long-time producer Hemmendorff, who adds: “It’s about a man who late in life makes the decision to get back on his childhood bullies so that he finally can move on and hopefully live a normal life. It’s about how the past still haunt the present and the thin line between victim and perpetrator.”

“Dangerous Woman,” (6×42’, Finland) Written by Kevin Rundle

Produced by Kristina Rytkölä for Gutsy Pictures The latest project from value-driven Gutsy Pictures founded by Marika Makaroff, behind the “Moominvalley” series, is penned by BAFTA-nominated Kevin Rundle (“Hollyoaks,” “EastEnders”), co-writer of the outfit’s Canneseries-selected “L/Over.” The story centers on a middle-aged woman, at the peak of her career, who violently attacks a male visitor at a fair. When she is arrested, bigger secrets begin to surface, as it appears that the woman had committed several crimes in the past.

“Fantasy Resort,” (5×45’, Norway), Written by Emmeline Berglund and Benjamin Berglund Produced by Ingunn Rensel for ANTI Set in the same universe as the acclaimed “Requiem for Selina,” a Series Mania Panorama Student Award winner, the show will again tackle the media industry’s exploitation of young people’s need to be seen and loved but from the perspective of a TV reality show, not an influencer. “Requiem for Selina” helmer Sebastian Kåss is attached.

**“Greed,” **(“Græðgi,” 6 x 55’, Iceland)

Written by Kristinn Thordarson and Michael Kalesniko Producedby Kristinn Thordarson, Leifur B. Dagfinnsson and David Oskar Olafsson for Truenorth and Icelandic streamer Simínn. The show is initiated by Iceland’s top servicing outfit Truenorth which is ramping up its production activities. Set in Iceland’s financial world, the story turns on Jonas who seeks revenge after being wrongfully imprisoned for financial crimes he did not commit.

“In My Hands,” (50 x 30’-3,’ Sweden) Written by Klara Gattbro and Johanna Jordansson Lawner Produced by Clémence Lundberg for Clé & Co Productions “Using humor and relatability, the story about a girl longing for the perfect date “aims to highlight the everyday lives of young deaf people and to normalize sign language,” says Clémence Lundberg for whom vertical drama is today’s hottest format to reach out to digitally-oriented youths.

“In My Secret Life,” (“Ævisaga,”, 6 x 55,’ Iceland) Written by Jóhann Ævar Grímsson Produced by Kjartan Thor Thordarson, Arnar Benjamín Kristjánsson and Skarphéðinn Guðmundsson for Sagafilm and pubcaster RÚV Kjartan Thor Thordarson, head of Sagafilm Nordic describes the show as “a tense, emotionally-charged family drama where layer after layer of secrets are laid bare. It stands out for its blend of Nordic realism, psychological precision, and slow-burning suspense as it explores how the lies we inherit shape who we become.” “At Göteborg, we hope to connect with partners who value character-driven drama with strong international potential,” says the executive producer of “Stella Blómkvist” and “Thin Ice.”

“Scandinavia,”(6 x 45,’ Sweden, Norway, Denmark) Written by Geir Henning Hoplan, Jörgen Hjerdt and Anton Breum Produced by Lejla Bešić, Vibeke Ringen, Camilla Hammerich for Nordisk Film Production A political drama from the leading Scandinavian studio which draws a chilling snapshot of a new world in which NATO no longer exists, the E.U. is led by far-right movements and threats from the superpowers are increasing. “To defend the Scandinavian way of life and strengthen their position in the world, Sweden, Denmark, Norway are to unite and form a single nation with a common defence, economy and politics,” runs the logline.

**“Tinganes,” **(6 x 45’, Faroe Islands), Writer by Torfinnur Jákupsson Produced by Torfinnur Jákupsson and Jón Hammer for GRÓ Studios “When a hybrid attack turns the Faroe Islands into ground zero for a new Arctic Cold War, former farmer-turned-prime minister Magnus Tindhólm must navigate a storm of espionage, misinformation, and betrayal in a fight for sovereignty, where every ally has a hidden agenda,” states the logline. For Jákupsson, creator of the crime hit “Trom” and head of the Faroese GRÓ Studios and U.K. affiliate Red Herring Story, “Tinganes” is a timely show which reflects “a changing geopolitical reality in which small nations like the Faroe Islands have become strategically vital.”

‘In My Hands,’ Göteborg’s first micro-drama Courtesy of TV Drama Vision

European Series in Development

“Belle Epoque,” (6X52’, Belgium) Written Bert Scholiers Produced Malin-Sarah Gozin and Dimitri Verbeeck for Caviar and VRT Dimitri Verbeeck, co-producer of the Oscar-winning “Sound of Metal” and producer of the recent Canneseries’-selected “Dead End,” says “’Belle Époque’ is a bold, character-driven series built around a simple but unsettling question: What happens when a society is confronted with something it has taught itself to fear?” “Set in an alternate 19th century where men have vanished, the birth of a single boy triggers a chain of secrecy, suspicion and escalating danger, turning the story into a compelling thriller.” For Verbeek, the show stands out for “its strong female ensemble, its emotional intimacy, and the way a highly original premise is used to tell a deeply human story that resonates with contemporary debates.”

“Dark Waters,” (“Aigües de Foscor,” 8×50’, Spain)

Written by Amèlia Mora, Héctor Manteca

Produced by Federation Spain’s Juan Solà and Lastor Media’s Tono Folguera Pitched earlier at Serielizados in Barcelona and Tallinn’s TV Beats Forum where it won the TV Drama Vision award. Victor Garcia (“The Communion Girl”) will direct. Arnau, a park ranger, finds the corpse of a woman who shares the same unusual birthmark he and his daughter both have. This discovery unveils a supernatural mystery. “It’s a powerful story of a father who fears losing his daughter, while drawing on mythology that connects Catalonia with Iceland,” said Federation Spain’s Maria Rocher who serves as executive producer.

“Ingegerd,” (‘445,’ Latvia, Ukraine) Written by Olesia Nohina Produced by Andrejs Ēķis and Olesia Nohina for Cinevilla Studio and Ukraine’s Final Cut Media. Historic romance from Latvia’s leading banner Cinevilla Studios (“Mutiny”). “At its heart, ‘Ingegerd’ is a European origin story connecting the Nordics and Kyivan Rus-today’s Ukraine, revealing how Europe was shaped through alliances, marriages, and shared values,” says Olesia Nohina. “It’s a character-driven historical epic told through a female gaze, centered on a woman navigating power in times of medieval instability.”

‘Ingegerd’ Courtesy of TV Drama Vision

“Smuggled,” (6 x 50,’ Spain, Belgium, France) Written by Daniel Corpas Hansen, Delphine Bergsma

Produced by Gustavo Ferrada, Hugo Brisbois, Arnauld de Battice for Mediacrest, Oble and AT-Prod. The crime thriller based on an original idea by Hugo Brisbois, won the TV Drama Vision award at Conecta Fiction & Entertainment 2025 in Cuenca. The story follows a young migrant, embroiled in a police investigation, who becomes an undercover witness.

“The Last Punchline,” (“Останній панчлайн,” 4 x 45’, Ukraine), Written by Antonio Lukich, Vladyslav Voznyi,Yevhen Korotkov, Natalia Pluzhnyk, Kyrylo Tymchenko, Anna Fedoruk

Produced by Anastasiia Shteinhauz for Starlight Films and ICTV2 Comedy drama helmed by Antonio Lukich in which Valik, a good plumber and single father of three, suddenly learns that he is terminally ill, but also that he can heal himself by making people laugh. “At its core, the show is about surviving through humor, but it also explores what happens when laughter is no longer entertainment but a matter of life and death,” explains Ganna Fedoruk at Kyiv-based ICTV and Starlight Media who hopes to connect in Göteborg with “partners looking for bold, character-driven TV drama that crosses genres and takes emotional risks.”

“The Sea,”(6 x 45’, Germany, Norway, Spain) Written by David Sandreuter, Wolfram Fleischhauer, Mareike Engelhardt Produced by Britta Meyermann, Florian Deyle, Andreas Pfohl for Odeon Fiction, in co-production with Spain’s The Good Mood and Germany’s TNF Telenormfilm. Fast-paced thriller and family drama based on the best-selling eponymous novel by Wolfram Fleischhauer, penned by head-writer David Sandreuter (Netflix’s “The Chestnut Man,” ARD Degeto/NRK’s “The Seed”). “The highly topical thriller is set on a little-known stage: the largely lawless space of the world’s oceans, where no rules apply and where, despite fishing quotas and endless international negotiations, a silent ecocide is ongoing,” says Odeon Fiction’s head of international co-productions Andreas Pfohl.

“We Are Still Here,” (“Wciąż Tu Jesteśmy, 8X30’, Poland) Written by Ola Hulbój Produced by Piotr Śmiechowski for Telemark, in co-production with Frame Films Audience Favorite among Midpoint Series projects pitched at Tallinn’s TV Beats Forum in November. Dark comedy thriller about the support group Apwaks, which stands for “Anonymous People Who Accidentally Killed Someone.” Uber driver Tola pretends to belong to that group to find her mother’s killer, but when postman Błażej plans to kill again – this time on purpose – the group becomes a chaotic hunt for truth, guilt and connection.

‘We Are Still Here’ Courtesy TV Drama Vision