TVNOW & VOX COMMISSION KESHET'S BLACK COMEDY “STOCKHOLM”

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s streaming platform TVNOW and its linear TV channel VOX have ordered a German adaptation of the Israeli black comedy “Stockholm,” from Keshet Tresor Fiction (KTF).

Based on the bestselling book by Noa Yedlin and the series originally produced by Artza Productions for Keshet Broadcasting and KAN, “Stockholm” will star a lively group in their late sixties who cover up their friend’s death so that he can achieve his lifelong ambition. If Hermann is to win a Nobel Prize, his four best friends have to keep his death a secret for five days, which strains their friendship to the limit and forces them to assess what they have achieved in their own lives.

KTF’s 4x45’ adaptation of this comedy drama will be known locally as “Unter Freunden Stirbt Man Nicht” (You Don’t Die Among Friends) and will be written by Claudius Pläging. Produced in cooperation with TVNOW and VOX, and supported by Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Felix Stienz will direct the four part series, with KTF’s Tina Hechinger as producer. It will be executive produced by Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s heads of fiction Hauke Bartel and Frauke Neeb; KTF’s Director of Fiction Programs, Christina Christ; and Tresor’s CEO, Axel Kühn. 

With filming scheduled to begin in April, each episode will be devoted to one of the four friends, giving a unique perspective on their relationship with the deceased (Hermann), as well as their own personal lives and secret hidden agendas. Featuring a stellar cast, Iris Berben will star as Ella, Adele Neuhauser as Annette, Heiner Lauterbach as Joachim, Michael Wittenborn as Friedrich, and Walter Sittler will take on the role of Hermann.

"Right from the outset, we were thrilled about how cheerfully, candidly and honestly the series is tackling the major topics of life. We're already proud to have such an outstanding crew and team both in front of and behind the camera,”  Hauke Bartel and Frauke Neeb commented. 

Meanwhile, Christina Christ added: “In an age when people live longer and have better lives, 'Unter Freunden Stirbt Man Nicht' offers a refreshing perspective on this fascinating age group. This dark comedy breaks stereotypes and conventional assumptions, as our silver surfers’ friendships, family, loyalty, professionalism, love and lust are all put to the test – and the results are not what we may imagine!”.