ZDF STARTED SHOOTING "AGATHA CHRISTIE’S SVEN HJERSON"

TV4/CMore and co-production partners ZDF, ZDF Enterprises, Agatha Christie Ltd and Nadcon Film have announced the shooting start of a new series project, “Agatha Christie’s Sven Hjerson,” which is produced by BR•F, producers Patrik Andersson and Ulf Synnerholm, with support from Nordisk Film & TV Fund.

“Agatha Christie’s Sven Hjerson” is the world’s first ever official Agatha Christie character spin-off. Hjerson is the fictional detective of Christie’s fictional author Ariadne Oliver – who Christie herself admitted contained a “strong dash” of herself. Never before has Sven Hjerson been committed to the screen. The show’s contemporary Nordic setting centers around Hjerson, with original stories and characters inspired by Agatha Christie’s vast body of work.

The series (4x88’ and 8x44’) revolves around four specific murder mysteries/whodunits. It is created and developed by Patrik Gyllström at BR•F and is written by Patrik Gyllström, Björn Paqualin, Jakob Beckman, Martin Luuk and Aron Levander. Furthermore, it is directed by Lisa James Larsson and Lisa Farzaneh, and will be wrapped up by April 2021. ZDF Enterprises will be responsible for the worldwide distribution outside Scandivania.

“Getting an opportunity to turn parts of Agatha Christie's literary universe into a TV series is such a privilege. It is a great challenge and I am very proud of us having been entrusted with this project, something which has never been done in the world of television before. With an amazing team both behind and in front of the camera, we are going to create a contemporary whodunit. In times like these I believe that we need to be entertained and seek escapism in things part recognizable, part innovative more than ever, the classic whodunit in a brand new way,”  said Josefine Tengblad, Head of Drama at TV4/C More.

Frank Seyberth, Head of Coproduction International Fiction at ZDF, added: “ZDF is stunned to be partnering on this exciting new show. It is unique as well as universal due to the combination of the vital DNA of the Agatha Christie universe with a very contemporary Scandinavian appeal. In that sense, we are very delighted by our fruitful relationship with TV4/Cmore and b*reel. We are sure that the audience will fall in love with the great cast and enjoy this missing link of modern crime very much”.

Meanwhile, Robert Franke, Vice President ZDFE.drama at ZDF Enterprises, commented: “Developing and producing the story of Sven Hjerson for television is an exciting project for all partners involved. We are extremely proud to once again work with the same skilled 'drama dream team' and to have this series in our sales catalogue”.