Rubicon to adapt Lars Mytting’s "The Bell in the Lake"

Norwegian creative powerhouse Rubicon TV, part of Banijay Nordic, has secured the exclusive rights to Lars Mytting’s acclaimed trilogy, beginning with "The Bell in the Lake", a sweeping love story and supernatural thriller set in a remote 19th-century mountain community. Development is now underway to adapt the title for the screen.

The best-selling trilogy spans 65 years across Norway, Germany, and the UK, and has sold widely throughout North America and Europe. Mytting’s novels blend magical realism, historical detail, and emotional depth, centered on a love triangle between a priest, an architect, and a striking contemporary woman. All three are torn apart by a terrifying supernatural force that threatens not only their lives but the fate of their entire community.

Rubicon CEO Ivar Køhn praised the author: “Lars Mytting has created an extraordinary world, embraced by readers across the globe, and we see huge potential in bringing this to screen. With unforgettable characters, an epic love story, multiple international settings, and powerful supernatural intrigue, this is incredibly rich material for a gripping TV drama," stated.

Lars Mytting acknowledged the quality of the adaptation process: “Partnering with Rubicon gives me great confidence. Ivar and the team are not just focused on the plot and characters, but the story’s deep origins of folklore, nature, and all the quirky elements which give it atmosphere. The aim isn’t to directly replicate the books, but to create a distinct adaptation with its own filmic qualities," noted.

Mytting first achieved global success with his cult hit "Norwegian Wood", a non-fiction modern classic that won prizes both within and beyond Scandinavia, and consistently topped bestseller lists worldwide. He is also widely known for his novel "The Sixteen Trees of the Somme."

Based in Oslo, Rubicon TV is behind a range of original comedy and drama for local and international markets. The company is best known for "Lilyhammer", Netflix’s first-ever Original series, and has continued collaborating with the platform on titles like "Off Track" and "Billionaire’s Island." Other standout productions include "Beforeigners" (HBO) and "The Countrymen" (NRK). Rubicon is currently in pre-production on "Still Breathing", an ambitious new long-form medical drama for NRK, backed by Banijay Entertainment’s Scripted Fund and distributed by DR Sales.