NENT Group to develop ‘Estonia: The Last Wave’ as next original series

• Series created and directed by Charlotte Brändström (‘The Witcher’; ‘Madam Secretary’)
• ‘Estonia: The Last Wave’ produced by Scandinavian Content Group in association with ITV Studios
• NENT Group to premiere at least 40 original productions in 2021

Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group), the Nordic region’s leading streaming company, is developing the international drama series ‘Estonia: The Last Wave’ as its next original production. The English-language show explores one of the 20^th century’s worst maritime disasters, the 1994 sinking of the Estonia ferry in the Baltic Sea that cost 852 people their lives. ‘Estonia: The Last Wave’ will premiere exclusively on NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service.

Few events in recent Nordic and Baltic history give rise to as many emotions – and theories – as those of 28 September 1994. The cause of the Estonia’s sinking continues to be disputed, and in autumn 2020 a mysterious four-metre hole was discovered in the ship's hull. The drama series ‘Estonia: The Last Wave’ asks what politicians and the military knew about the tragedy – and whether it was really an accident.

Filippa Wallestam, NENT Group Chief Content Officer: “The Estonia disaster will never be forgotten, and the latest evidence has renewed calls for a full and independent enquiry. Our aim with this dramatisation is to pose some urgent questions, while painting a sensitive and moving portrait of one of the Baltic Sea’s darkest nights.”

The series is created and directed by Charlotte Brändström, who has directed episodes of major international productions such as ‘The Witcher’, ‘The Man in The High Castle’ and ‘Madam Secretary’. Brändström shares story credits on the show with Paolo Vacirca (‘The Hypnotist’).

Charlotte Brändström: “Making drama based on real events is a specific challenge. The aim is not to dramatise what we already know, but to show what we otherwise would never see. What really happened to the Estonia? And why?”

‘Estonia: The Last Wave’ (Swedish title: ‘Estonia – den sista vågen’) is produced by Scandinavian Content Group in association with ITV Studios.

Julie Meldal-Johnsen, EVP Global Content, ITV Studios: “The sinking of the Estonia was deeply shocking and we are honoured to be working with NENT Group, Paolo, Charlotte and the creative team they have assembled to shine a light on this event and the mystery that still surrounds it. Audiences worldwide are sure to be compelled by the visceral and emotional scenes envisioned by this exceptional team.”

About NENT Group’s original productions

NENT Group is set to premiere at least 40 original productions in 2021. In the past three months, ‘The Head’; ‘Happily Married’; ‘Professionals’; season two of ‘Pros and Cons’; ‘Orca’; season two of ‘The American Runestone’; ‘Cryptid’; ‘Hammarvik’; ‘The Ambassador’; season two of ‘Fixi in Playland’; season two of ‘Love Me’; and ‘Catwalk’ have premiered on Viaplay.

Recently announced originals include ‘A Class Apart’; ‘Threesome’; ‘Suedi’; season two of ‘Stella Blómkvist’; season two of ‘Wisting’; ‘The Box’; ‘Two Sisters’; ‘Thunder in My Heart’; ‘Furia’; ‘Close to Me’; ‘Try Hard’; ‘Max Anger’; ‘Dystopia’; ‘Suck It Up’; ‘The Swarm’; ‘Delete Me’; season two of ‘The Truth Will Out’; ‘Harmonica’; ‘Perfect People’; season two of ‘Face to Face’; ‘Huss’; season two of ‘Those Who Kill’; season three of ‘Fixi in Playland’; season two of ‘Honour’; ‘Home Invasion’; ‘The Defeated’; and ‘Margeaux’.

NENT Group’s ‘Wisting’ has been shown on BBC Four and Sundance Now; ‘ALEX’ has been sold in Europe, Asia and the US; ‘Veni Vidi Vici’ has premiered on Hulu and is set for a US remake with Lionsgate; ‘Pros and Cons’ has been picked up by Canal+ and Topic; ‘Honour’ has been sold to RTL and VRT; ‘Those Who Kill’ is available on the BBC and ARTE; and ‘Mia’s Magic Playground’ has launched on Sky Kids.

During 2019, NENT Group announced a UK-based joint venture with FilmNation Entertainment and invested in US studio Picturestart.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Nordic Entertainment Group AB (publ) (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 content that is experienced around the world. We make life more entertaining by telling stories, touching lives and expanding worlds – from live sports, movies and series to music and original shows. Headquartered in Stockholm, NENT Group is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (‘NENT A’ and ‘NENT B’).

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