Oxen Adaptation for Denmark’s TV 2, Germany’s ZDF

SF Studios is producing the new thriller series Oxen for the Danish broadcaster TV 2 and German pubcaster ZDF.

Oxen is directed by Jannik Johansen and stars Jacob Lohmann in the leading role. It is adapted from the international best-selling book series of the same name by Jens Henrik Jensen that recounts the story of war veteran Niels Oxen, a former special forces soldier who must conquer his inner demons as he is framed for a series of gruesome murders.

Shooting for the six-episode series has just begun near Copenhagen, and the series will be released in 2023. SquareOne Productions is also on board.

Producers Michel Schønnemann and Senia Dremstrup at SF Studios said: “Reading the books, we saw big potential in a TV series about Niels Oxen, and it has been a pleasure to work with such talented writers developing the material. From the very beginning, we have dreamt of making an outstanding series, and we are looking forward to bringing this story to an international audience.”

Commissioning editor at ZDF, Doris Schrenner, said: “ZDF is proud to join forces with its German co-producing partner SquareOne Productions, SF Studios and TV 2 to produce the high-end series Oxen, featuring the highly decorated ex-military man Niels Oxen, a new, charismatic hero. ZDF’s commissioning fiction department continues with Oxen, its co-production activity of best-selling Scandinavian brands, enjoying great success with adaptations by Stieg Larsson, Jussi Adler-Olsen and Henning Mankell, among others.”

Senior editor at TV 2, Mette Vorm, added: “Our Scandinavian broadcasting partners saw the potential in this intense and character-driven crime at an early stage of the production, and it is wonderful to have them on board. We are confident that the strong team at REinvent will be successful at distributing Oxen to the rest of the world.”