Sigurjón Kjartansson and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson
yes Studios signed a partnership with Sigurjón Kjartansson’s production company S800 and has become the international distributor for "HAZE", an eight-part crime drama commissioned by Icelandic broadcaster RUV. The company will formally launch the series – which has actor Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson ("Succession") attached- to buyers at next week’s Content London, where it will be initially seeking pre-sales. The company has full international distribution rights for the series (excluding Benelux, where it will be repped by Lumiere) and will also hold rights to the scripted format.
"HAZE" creator Kjartansson ("Trapped" S1 & 2) has assembled an impressive team for the series, which includes producer Erlinger Jack Gudmundsson ("Operation Napoleon"), writers Gagga Jonsdottir ("Bitch and Snitch") and David Mar Stefansson ("Trapped" S3) and director Óskar Thor Axelsson ("Trapped" S1 & 2).
Set in present-day Iceland, "HAZE" is a gripping international crime story about the drug industry, with themes around double standards and corruption in the highest echelons of power. It tells the story of three childhood friends– from very different backgrounds - who grew up together in a small Icelandic town but have gone their separate ways since their early 20s. Now in their mid-40s, one is the CEO of one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in Europe, one is a doctor, and the third is a drug dealer. When a big secret from their past begins to surface, the forces of destiny serve to bring them together again, with serious consequences for each of their lives.
NEW DIRECTION
"HAZE" will be the first international drama on the yes Studios slate, marking a new strategic direction for the company as it now actively seeks good-fit, premium titles to sit alongside its enviable catalogue of top domestic dramas, comedies and documentaries, which include "Your Honor", "Night Therapy", "Fauda", "Shtisel", etc.
Sharon Levi, managing director at yes Studios, comments: “We have been considering expanding our slate to include international titles for a little while now, but were waiting for the right title – one that we not only loved but that also fits with the premium, well-crafted and thoughtful content we currently represent. 'HAZE' ticks all those boxes and more. It is a brilliantly engaging contemporary thriller, plays cleverly with a universal David vs Goliath theme and has an impressive and talented team already attached. We are delighted to bring it to Content London and hope that both our and Sigurjón Kjartansson’s reputations will make it of great interest for international pre-sales." She adds, “In addition, with this new strategy now in play, we will also be keen to review other international scripted projects that are seeking representation and will be taking meetings in London. Our dedicated team has experience with numerous genres, including crime, political thrillers, family sagas, romantic comedy and science fiction, and we are used to working closely with creators and producers to help shows get developed, financed and placed with the right buyers. We are excited for this next stage in the development of our business and look forward to establishing many fruitful new partnerships around the globe,” .
Sigurjón Kjartansson, creator of "HAZE" and managing director of S800, adds: “My original idea for 'HAZE' is to show the grey area between the lawful trade of pharmaceuticals and the unlawful business of the underworld. Both I and producer Erlingur Jack Gudmundsson are very happy to be working with the team at yes Studios and look forward to seeing what their professional approach and many years of experience in the international TV industry will bring to our project.”