Warner Bros. International Television Production and Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) announced the creation of original production, “Orca,” produced by Sofie Palage at Warner Bros. International Television Production Sweden. The “experimental” Swedish drama is created, written, and directed by Josephine Bornebusch and stars some of Sweden’s leading acting talents. “Orca” will premiere exclusively across the Nordic region on NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service in autumn 2020. NENT Group plans to premiere at least 30 additional, original productions this year. “Social distancing is the story of our time, but behind the headlines lie millions of personal dramas being lived by people all over the world,” NENT Group Chief Content Officer, Filippa Wallestam said. “Josephine Bornebusch’s latest Viaplay original dramatizes some of the emotional impacts of this extraordinary situation and asks what togetherness can mean when we’re apart. NENT Group will premiere more than 30 originals this year and as this innovative, star-packed production proves, our ambitions for Viaplay are higher than ever.”
Filming will take place in a unique setting for a Nordic production, the characters in “Orca” communicate with each other primarily behind a screen. The actors and actresses will film their scenes one at a time with a minimal crew present. Top Swedish talents appearing in “Orca” include Johan Rheborg (NENT Group’s “Partisan”), Gustav Lindh (“Love Me”), Alba August (“The Perfect Patient”), Peter Andersson (“Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit”) and Vera Vitali (NENT Group’s “Conspiracy of Silence”), as well as Josephine Bornebusch herself. Filming for the drama has already begun this week. “We’ve moved incredibly quickly from idea to filming, and I’m so grateful to receive such trust from NENT Group, who gave the green light at record speed,” Bornebusch said. “I’m also delighted that so many gifted acting talents have chosen to take part in this project. I believe we can create something very special together.”
Bornebusch's original series “Love Me” dominated the Viaplay viewing charts since premiering in the Fall of 2019. It was recently renewed for its second season. Bornebusch’s forthcoming original drama “Harmonica” will also premiere on Viaplay.