Gutsy Animations Moves into Drama

Gutsy Animations, the studio behind the Moominvalley series, is working with Lime Pictures (Hollyoaks) on its first adult-targeted drama series.

Currently in development, the 6×50-minute English-language psychological drama Beyond Nature will blend live action with VFX and CG animation.

The series is based on Katariina Souri’s novel Pohjan Kosketus and is set to be shot between England and Lapland.

The psychological drama follows Stella, a young Finno-British artist, as she searches for her true self and her family’s past. Set against the ancient magical traditions and wilderness of the far North, and the urban landscapes of Britain, the drama explores the alienation of humans from the natural world.

Jessica Ruston (Harlots, Young Wallander), Kevin Rundle (Casualty, EastEnders) and Phoebe Éclair-Powell (Two Weeks to Live, Hollyoaks) are on board as writers. Gary Carter will serve as a consultant, with a remit focused on sales and development, specifically to spearhead the studio’s move into adult-skewing drama with Beyond Nature.

“Beyond Nature is a project like no other—the mix of Stella’s real world and her haunting visions, combined with the contrasting settings of an industrial English city and a remote Lapland village, make this a truly distinctive series,” said Marika Makaroff, founder of Gutsy. “It’s a pitch-perfect project with which to extend our reach into non-kids’ drama, and we are very happy to be partnering with Lime Pictures and such a talented team of writers to bring it to life. Tackling themes of sisterhood, family secrets, hidden memories, mental instability and nature—both human and environmental—Beyond Nature promises to be both a challenging and compelling watch.”

Lime Pictures’ managing directors, Kate Little and Claire Poyser, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Gutsy Animations to bring such a gripping, atmospheric and breathtakingly visual series to screen.”