EXCLUSIVE: Icelandic streamer Síminn has boarded Reykjavik Noir, a series adaptation of Lilja Sigurdardottir‘s crime novel trilogy.
Glassriver, the Icelandic producer behind Cold Haven and As Long As We Live, is producing after acquiring the rights to the novels in a deal brokered the Reykjavik Literary Agency.
The books, set in the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, comprise ‘Snare’, ‘Trap’ and ‘Cage’. They have been translated into 17 languages, including English, German and French, and ‘Snare’ was awarded Thriller of the Year in 2017 by the New York Journal of Books. It was also named in The Times and the Sunday Times Crime Club’s best books of the past five years in 2020, and was longlisted for the CWA International Dagger award in 2018.
In ‘Snare’, a young, divorced mother, Sonja, who is trying to win sole custody of her son resorts to smuggling cocaine into Iceland and gets caught up in the ruthless criminal world. She clashes with Bragi, an experienced customs officer, and develops a relationship with a woman, Agla.
“Seeing the ‘Reykjavik Noir’ series adapted for television is an incredible milestone,” said Sigurdardottir. “Glassriver has a strong reputation for creating high-quality, distinctive content that resonates with audiences all over the world. Their vision for the series fits perfectly with the gritty, character-driven stories of the books, and I’m excited to bring Sonja, Bragi, and the world of ‘Reykjavik Noir’ to life for the screen with them.”
Stella Soffia Johannesdottir, Senior Agent at Reykjavik Literary Agency, said Sigurdardóttir “has a razor-sharp eye for location and plot, crafting an exciting cast of colorful characters,” adding, “Her crime thrillers are highly visual, almost as if written for the screen, with rapid changes of viewpoint and short chapters that heighten the pace and tension.”
Glassriver’s scripted slate also includes Eva Björg Ægisdottir’s ‘Elma’ book series, which was recently optioned. It has 20 TV and feature titles in development overall. “The ‘Reykjavik Noir’ trilogy is a masterful blend of intrigue, suspense, and deeply human storytelling,” said Andri Ómarsson, co-owner and producer at Glassriver. “Bringing Lilja’s unique anti-heroine, compelling characters and atmospheric world to the screen is a huge opportunity for Glassriver. It fits perfectly with our mission to showcase Iceland’s distinctive voice in global storytelling.”
As for Síminn, which is part of an Icelandic telecoms giant, the series will be “a bold and thrilling addition” to its slate of Icelandic scripted content,” according to Birkir Agustsson, VP of Media at Síminn. “With its gripping storytelling and unforgettable characters, the series promises to captivate our audiences. We are proud to support the adaptation of this iconic Icelandic work and to bring this extraordinary story to life, reaffirming our commitment to showcasing the very best of Icelandic culture and creativity.”