Sky Deutschland Unveils New Originals Slate

Sky Deutschland has revealed three new original series from Sky Studios, including the post-apocalyptic drama Helgoland 513.

Helgoland 513 takes place in 2034 after a global apocalypse has left the North Sea island of Helgoland as humanity’s last safe haven. However, a totalitarian society has been established that only allows 513 people on the island and, since resources are scarce, uses a social ranking system that evaluates the inhabitants based on their “usefulness.”

The new series is written and directed by Robert Schwentke (The Captain, Red) and is set to begin filming later this year. UFA Fiction (Deutschland 83) is producing in association with Sky Studios.

Also in development is Frankenstein Untold, a reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic. Told through the eyes of eight characters, the series explores the philosophical and political depths of the novel and centers around themes such as the search for love and belonging and revenge. Set in 1816, it will take viewers from the dirty streets of Ingolstadt to the beauty of Lake Geneva to the ice desert of the North Pole.

Philipp Stölzl (The Royal Game, The Physician, North Face) created Frankenstein Untold and is set to direct. The series is currently in development with Neue Schönhauser Film (Back on Track).

Huntsville, AL, inspired by never-before-told true stories, is in development with Zeitsprung (Michael Souvignier, Till Derenbach); Wildside, a Fremantle company (Mario Gianani, Lorenzo Gangarossa); and Beta Film (Koby Gal-Raday, Ferdinand Dohna).

Set in the 1950s in Huntsville, Alabama, the series sees hundreds of former Nazi German engineers recruited by the U.S. Army for a secret missile project. The engineers and their families transform the segregated, sleepy little town and come to the brink of launching the American space industry. They dream of reaching the moon, but the late arrival of one family could endanger the whole endeavor.

Huntsville, AL is created by director Achim v. Borries (Babylon Berlin), Nadav Schirman (The Green Prince), Ron Leshem and Amit Cohen (Euphoria, Valley of Tears).

“The new Sky originals revealed today showcase the breadth of storytelling and creative ambition we are targeting on our original drama slate for Sky Studios Deutschland,” said Nils Hartmann, executive VP of Sky Studios Deutschland and Italia. “We want the creative community in Germany, Austria and Switzerland to bring us their best, boldest and buzziest ideas as we invest further in premium original content for our customers.”

Elke Walthelm, executive VP of content at Sky Deutschland, added, “Tentpole, talked-about Sky originals are a critical part of our overall content offering at Sky and our streaming service WOW. This year, we’ll be bringing over 60 Sky originals to our customers from across Europe, including much-loved favorites such as Die Wespe season two and Babylon Berlin season four, plus new titles like Der Kaiser, Souls, Autobahn and Munich Games.”