CBS Studios has reached a first-look international television agreement with the recently launched Stampede Ventures International. “It is a remarkable opportunity for CBS Studios to partner and develop global content with Stampede Ventures, as we continue to build on our existing international slate,” said Meghan Lyvers, Senior Vice President of International Co-Productions and Development, CBS Studios.
Under the new deal, the companies will prioritize acquiring and developing premium scripted content for the international market made outside of the US. JP Sarni, who leads the international content and worldwide content acquisitions for Stampede Ventures, is developing book properties, original concepts, and other IP for local and English-language production. The slate showcases projects from 15 countries, including Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Mexico, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Chris Bosco and Anna Pinar negotiated the deal on behalf of Stampede Ventures. Ragnar Jónasson is managed by Emily Hayward Whitlock at The Artists Partnership, Monica Gram at Copenhagen Literary Agency, and David Headley of David Headley Literary Agency. Andrea Janakas is repped by Paradigm, Seth Nagel, and Chad Christopher at Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher, LLP. CBS Studios holds worldwide distribution and international remake rights for this series.
One of the first projects in the partnership will be the series adaptation of Ragnar Jónasson’s best-selling book “The Darkness.” Andrea Janakas is set to adapt to the project. Truenorth Productions, which recently produced “The Valhalla Murders” for Netflix, is set to provide production services. The series is targeted for production in Iceland. “Wonderful content will always stand out, regardless of origin, and ‘The Darkness’ is a reflection of that fact. We are confident this is the first of many projects in this new partnership with Greg and JP,” Lyvers said.
“The Darkness” is an eight-episode, one-hour crime drama set in Iceland that centers around Hulda Hermannsdottir, a detective who is bracing for retirement. To fill her remaining time, she’s given a cold case to keep busy: reviewing the files about a young Russian woman who washed up on a remote Icelandic beach. Hulda will begin to question those closest to her, no matter the cost.