Viaplay & TVNZ to Co-Produce Original Crime Dramedy

MTG’s Nordic streaming service Viaplay and New Zealand broadcaster TVNZ have aligned for the production of the crime comedy drama Straight Forward, which also counts Acorn Media Enterprises as a partner.

Set against the backdrops of Queenstown and Copenhagen, Straight Forward blends a crime caper story with a journey of personal discovery, as a Danish woman attempts to leave her criminal past behind her and make a fresh start in a small New Zealand town. The series was created by John Banas (Blue Heelers, City Homicide, All Saints) together with Banijay production companies Screentime New Zealand and Mastiff Denmark.

The eight-part show will premiere exclusively on Viaplay in the Nordic region in 2018. Acorn Media Enterprises will hold rights for North America, the U.K. and Australia.

Jakob Mejlhede, MTG’s executive VP and head of programming and content development, said: “As a truly global content market, MIPCOM is the ideal venue to announce this multi-national drama that showcases incredible storytelling talent from two continents. MTG’s recent announcements prove we can create unique stories and sell them around the world, and our momentum just keeps accelerating—success breeds success.”

Shane Murphy, the managing director of Acorn Media Enterprises, said, “With its fun mix of crime caper, Nordic noir, and strong relationship themes, Straight Forward makes an excellent addition to our Acorn TV Originals co-productions. Marking one of the most globe-spanning co-productions yet, we’re also excited to work with our partners in New Zealand and Scandinavia and film in these beautiful locations rarely seen by U.S. audiences.”

Cate Slater, TVNZ’s director of content, added, “Straight Forward is an exciting TVNZ co-production that blends the very best of local and international drama. We’re excited to bring New Zealand viewers their own Nordic noir packed with thrills and twisted with homegrown flavor.”