Viaplay & MGM in Co-Pro & Development Deal

Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) and MGM International Television Productions have inked a multiyear deal to develop and co-produce six English-language original international series for the Viaplay streaming service.

The six series will be shown exclusively as Viaplay originals throughout the Nordics, Baltics, Netherlands and Poland. MGM will handle distribution in the rest of the world.

The partnership’s first two projects will be Billy the Kid and Last Light. Billy the Kid is an epic romantic drama series from Michael Hirst (Vikings), starring Tom Blyth (Benediction) in the lead role. The apocalyptic thriller Last Light is based on Alex Scarrow’s best-selling novel of the same name. It tells the story of a family fighting to survive in a world suddenly thrown into chaos.

Filippa Wallestam, NENT Group’s chief content officer, said: “Viaplay will soon be available in at least 16 markets and unique storytelling is a key part of our expansion strategy. We are proud of our long-term partnership with MGM and that we are now working together to co-produce series with some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Series like Billy the Kid and Last Light show the scale of our ambitions and will help put Viaplay on the map in our latest territories even faster.”

Rola Bauer, president of MGM International Television Productions, added: “NENT Group’s focus on developing premium, global stories through an international lens aligns perfectly with our mission at MGM International TV Productions. Strong narratives like the epic series Billy the Kid and Last Light, which will entertain and also address important social issues, will capture audiences’ attention worldwide, and our co-production partnership with NENT Group makes this possible.”