ZDF Boards The Sommerdahl Murders

Germany’s ZDF has come on board as co-producer for the crime series The Sommerdahl Murders, alongside Dynamic Television, Sequoia and ndF.

Commissioned by Danish broadcaster TV 2, the series is based on best-selling Scandinavian crime novels. Set in a picturesque town on the coastline, each episode features a murder case solved by Detective Dan Sommerdahl and his best friend and colleague Detective Superintendent Fleming Torp. Lolita Bellstar (Lulu & Leon, The Legacy) will serve as head writer.

The crime series is being packaged in both 4×90-minute and 8×45-minute formats, with Dynamic Television handling worldwide distribution.

Bellstar said: “I see the project as a wonderful and inspiring opportunity to create a series that clearly confronts one of the most basic human feelings: the wish for the safety of our loved ones. The love-triangle driving the long arc of The Sommerdahl Murders gives us as a team, as well as the characters, reason to  work on a crucial dilemma I believe every human struggles within our time: Should I let my personal desire dictate my actions or should I find a way to work for the happiness of myself AND others?”

“The Sommerdahl Murder takes a fresh and compelling approach to Scandinavian crime series,” added Simone Emmelius from ZDF. “We have a tremendous confidence in our collaboration with Dynamic, Sequoia and ndF to create an excellent series that perfectly fits our current programming needs.”

“We are excited to have ZDF join us on this suspenseful but wonderfully accessible crime drama,” said Jan Bennemann, Dynamic’s VP of co-productions and acquisitions. “The Sommerdahl Murders is evocative and emotional and we are delighted to be collaborating with all of our partners on a show of such originality.  There is no question that blue sky crime procedurals are high in demand and we are excited to bring this standout series to the global marketplace.”

“I am thrilled we achieved to develop out of the extraordinary universe of the Dan Sommerdahl novels,” said Matthias Walther, CEO of ndF.  ”A crime series filled with suspense in the storylines but also between the main characters. The quiet humor and light-hearted drama convinced two major European channels to come onboard.”