Helsinki Crimes Goes Global

Oble has secured sales for ITV Studios Finland’s Helsinki Crimes in Australia, Spain, Ireland and the U.K.

The crime procedural, based on the best-selling novels by Finnish writer Matti Yrjänä Joensuu, has been acquired by SBS On Demand in Australia, AMC Networks International’s SundanceTV channel in Spain and Walter Presents in Ireland and the U.K.

Helsinki Crimes centers on Detective Timo Harjunpaa, played by Olli Rahkonen, as a wave of serious crimes hits Helsinki. Harjunpaa always tries to treat people, even criminals, with respect and never compromises his own ethical code. The series debuted on C More’s streaming service earlier this year in February.

“Helsinki Crimes is not your traditional police procedural; Harri Virtanen’s interpretation of Joensuu’s novels have delivered an original, fresh detective series, both in terms of characters and setting, which has received a fantastic reception from viewers and critics alike since its premiere,” said Pete Paavolainen, CEO of ITV Studios Finland. “Oble has an excellent track record introducing premium drama to global audiences and has again hit the ground running, taking Harjunpaa and his team to English, Australian and Spanish viewers.”

“Helsinki Crimes is that rare gem of a first series,” added Ekaterina Sol at Oble. “ITV Studios Finland has brilliantly updated a much-loved literary character to deliver a stylish, original take on the well-trodden path of episodic police and crime series. We’re delighted to have generated such international interest in the show since its debut, and to introduce both Timo Harjunpaa and the series to viewers in the U.K., Ireland, Australia and Spain, with Walter Presents, SBS On Demand and AMC Networks International Southern Europe’s SundanceTV.”