NENT Group creates short-form thriller ‘Cryptid’ as next original series

• New supernatural thriller is first series in ‘Nordic comic noir’ genre
• ‘Cryptid’ based on a pitch by award-winning graphic novelist Sylvain Runberg
• NENT Group set to premiere a minimum of 20 original productions every year

The next original series from Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) will be ‘Cryptid’, a pioneering short-form supernatural thriller based on a pitch by acclaimed Belgian graphic novelist Sylvain Runberg. The series will premiere exclusively on NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service across the Nordic region in early 2020.

The bizarre death of a high-school student triggers a series of mysterious events in the idyllic lakeside town of Mörkstad in Sweden. As the dead student’s friends edge closer to uncovering the truth, they are drawn into an ancient and terrifying secret hidden beneath the dark waters of the lake.

‘Cryptid’ (working title) is based on a pitch by graphic novelist Sylvain Runberg, the Silver Award winner at the 2011 International Manga Award, and has 10 episodes lasting 22 minutes. Novelist Anna Jakobsson Lund is lead writer and the series will be co-directed by Daniel di Grado (NENT Group’s ‘Hidden’) and David Berron (NENT Group’s ‘Hidden’ and ‘Black Lake’).

‘Cryptid’ is produced by Patrick Nebout (‘Midnight Sun’) and Mia Sohlman (‘Hamilton’) for Stockholm-based production company Dramacorp, along with NENT Group’s Fredrik Ljungberg. Hadis Jabbari (NENT Group’s ‘The Lawyer’) will co-produce. Filming starts in Finland in August 2019.

Jakob Mejlhede Andersen, NENT Group EVP and Head of Content: “Our storytelling is now redrawing the landscape again with a whole new genre – Nordic comic noir. ‘Cryptid’ is a first of its kind short-form series that blends the rich palette and imagery of the graphic novel with a tense and intelligent drama. This series will bring the art of the supernatural thriller to new heights – and viewers to the edge of their seats.”

About NENT Group’s original productions

NENT Group is set to premiere a minimum of 20 originals every year. ‘Hidden’; ‘The Truth Will Out’; ‘Four Hands Menu’; ‘Pros and Cons’; ‘Conspiracy of Silence’; ‘Couple Trouble’; ‘Rig 45’; ‘The Lawyer’; ‘Stella Blómkvist’; season one of ‘ALEX’; ‘Couple Thinkers’; ‘Occupied’; ‘Hassel’; ‘Peppy Pals’; ‘Superswede’; ‘Veni Vidi Vici’; seasons one and two of ‘Swedish Dicks’; seasons one and two of ‘The Great Escape’; and seasons one and two of ‘Black Lake’ have already premiered.

Recently announced originals include ‘Commando’; ‘Face to Face’; ‘Casper Conquers Norway’; ‘Honour’; ‘Love Me’; season two of ‘ALEX’; ‘Saga’s Stories’; ‘The Inner Circle’; ‘Cold Courage’; ‘Darkness – Those Who Kill’; ‘Wisting’; and ‘Straight Forward’.

As well as breaking Nordic viewing records, close to half of NENT Group’s originals have been picked up internationally. Amongst others, ‘ALEX’ has been sold to broadcast and streaming partners in Europe, Asia and the US; ‘Veni Vidi Vici’ has premiered on Hulu; ‘Swedish Dicks’ on Pop TV in the US; ‘Black Lake’ has been shown on BBC Four and AMC Networks-backed Shudder; and the upcoming series ‘Honour’ has been sold to Belgium’s VRT.

In January 2019, NENT Group announced a UK-based joint venture with award-winning independent studio FilmNation Entertainment to develop, produce and finance premium scripted television content for global audiences.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) is the Nordic region’s leading entertainment provider. We entertain millions of people every day with our streaming services, TV channels and radio stations, and our production companies create exciting content for media companies around the world. We make life more entertaining by enabling the best and broadest experiences – from live sports, movies and series to music and original shows. Headquartered in Stockholm, NENT Group is part of Modern Times Group MTG AB (publ), a leading international digital entertainment group listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (‘MTGA’ and ‘MTGB’). NENT Group is proposed to be listed separately on Nasdaq Stockholm in March 2019.

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