Banijay Boards Norwegian Series Countrymen

Countrymen, a new scripted series from the Norwegian label Rubicon for public broadcaster NRK, in co-production with ARTE France, will be distributed internationally by Banijay Rights.

In the eight-part series, four men with dubious plans to move to a farm in the rural Norwegian countryside end up as the founders of Norway’s first halal cheesemaking business—more or less against their will. Countrymen is created and written by Izer Aliu (Hunting Files), along with Rubicon’s Anne Bjørnstad. Nader Khademi (Ninjababy, Beforeigners, Homeground, Witch Hunt), Ayaz Hussain (Kasim Bæder), Jonas Strand Gravli (Ragnarok, Wisting, July 22), Arben Bala (Exit, Lilyhammer) and Erika Strand Mamelund star.

Bjørnstad, creative director at Rubicon, said: “This metaphoric concept will get people talking here in Norway and also resonate with global audiences. This high-quality series has been elevated with Izer Aliu writing and directing, and we are proud to create characters that are so brilliantly portrayed with warmth and humor by our cast.”