Norwegian Crime Thriller Eyewitness Being Adapted for the U.S.

UNIVERSAL CITY: USA Network and sister studio Universal Cable Productions (UCP) are bringing an American adaptation of the Norwegian crime thriller Eyewitness (Øyevitne) to the U.S.

In a straight-to-series order, ten episodes are being produced for American television by Adi Hasak (creator of Shades of Blue). The drama explores a grisly crime from the point of view of the eyewitnesses. The original version of the series was produced in Norway by NRK Drama and premiered last year.

Hasak, who brought the series to UCP, serves as showrunner and will executive produce. Jarl Emsell Larsen will also executive produce.

“Norway’s incredible show Eyewitness follows a horrific crime story through the unlucky and unlikely eyes of two innocent witnesses,” said Dawn Olmstead, the executive VP of development at Universal Cable Productions. “It’s a bone-chilling thrill ride that not only exposes the details of a crime, but also the secrets of the witnesses who watched. When Adi brought this to UCP, we immediately knew we had to be involved.”

“Eyewitness takes a horrific crime and, in compelling fashion, uses it to examine a whole network of unique character relationships,” added Alex Sepiol, the senior VP of original scripted programming at USA Network. “We were immediately drawn to the source material and Adi has found a very smart way to adapt it into a truly universal and engaging story.”