Mediawan Boards Icelandic Crime Series ‘Elma,’ Produced by Glassriver with Belgium’s Lunanime, Ahead of Mipcom (EXCLUSIVE)

Icelandic production power player Glassriver, known for hits like “Black Sands” and “As Long as We Live,” has secured a significant international distribution deal with Mediawan Rights for the upcoming crime thriller series “Elma.” This adaptation is drawn from Eva Björg Ægisdóttir’s acclaimed book series, which has captivated readers worldwide.

In addition to partnering with Mediawan Rights, which will handle distribution outside of Iceland and Finland, Glassriver has also collaborated with several notable co-producers including Lunanime in Belgium, MTV Finland, and various private equity investors, with more collaborations to be revealed in the future. CEO Andri Ómarsson expressed optimism about this buzzworthy venture, stating, “’Elma’ is an Icelandic crime story, anticipated to make a global impact! We’re excited to join forces with Mediawan; their profound market insights in Europe and their track record of success with premium dramas make them the perfect ally to help us amplify this story beyond Iceland.”

Valérie Vleeschhouwer, CEO of Mediawan Rights, echoed Ómarsson’s enthusiasm, remarking, “We are thrilled to support ‘Elma.’ This partnership with Glassriver underscores our dedication to bringing enthralling and high-quality European shows to audiences around the globe.”

The inaugural season of “Elma,” titled “The Creak on the Stairs,” is set to begin filming on October 7 in Iceland. Directed by the talented Katrín Björgvinssdóttir (“The Minister,” “As Long as We Live”) alongside Thora Hilmarsdóttir (“The Rising,” “Stella Blómkvist”), viewers can expect a captivating introduction to this suspenseful series.

When first published in Iceland in 2018, Eva Björg Ægisdóttir quickly established herself as a standout among fresh crime authors, drawing comparisons to the likes of Arnaldur Indriðason and Yrsa Sigurðardóttir. Her unique blend of Nordic Noir with deep psychological insights led “The Creak on the Stairs” to soar to the top of the Icelandic book charts, earning the prestigious CWA (Crime Writers Association) Debut Dagger-Blackbird Award and opening new international markets in over twenty countries, including France and the UK.

The serialized adaptation will be spearheaded by head writer Karen Björg Eyfjörð Þorsteinsdóttir (“Ordinary People”), alongside collaborators Elísabet Hall and emerging talent Urður Egilsdóttir, who is also involved in Glassriver’s forthcoming project “Manifesto.” The story follows the journey of police detective Elma, who returns to her quaint seaside town, Akranes, to resume her duties at the local police station after experiencing a traumatic breakup.

As mystery unfolds with the discovery of a woman’s body at the base of a lighthouse, Elma must confront dark secrets from the past. The storyline teases a poignant personal connection with her colleague Saevar, who could potentially offer her redemption amid the growing suspense in this tight-knit Icelandic community.

Glassriver, as one of Iceland’s leading producers of premium scripted content, continues to push creative boundaries. Their current lineup includes compelling projects like the climate disaster drama “Avalanche” starring Elin Hall, the comedic drama “Hot Stuff” featuring Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson, and the recently optioned “Konrad” book series from crime mastermind Arnaldur Indriðason, along with the thrilling co-production “Masquerade” alongside Nicholas Weinstock from “Severance” and Marc Lorber from The Art of Coproduction.