LILLE, FRANCE — Series Mania, a preeminent international festival dedicated to television series, has ignited anticipation across the industry by revealing 15 compelling new projects selected for its highly coveted Co-Pro Pitching Sessions. Slated to take place on March 24 as a cornerstone event of the broader Series Mania Forum (March 24-26), these sessions represent a pivotal moment for creators worldwide, offering a vital platform for innovative narratives to secure international co-production, financing, and distribution.
The stakes are high, with the winning project set to receive a substantial €50,000 (approximately $59,000) Grand Prize. This significant financial boost is often instrumental in propelling ambitious series from concept to screen. The esteemed jury tasked with identifying this year’s standout project comprises a panel of industry luminaries: Alexandre Piel, Laura Mae Harding, Alon Aranya, and Johanna Gårdare. Presiding over this distinguished group is Jorge Pezzi, the dynamic head of fiction and entertainment at Spain’s Movistar Plus+, whose extensive experience and keen eye for compelling storytelling promise a judicious selection.
While 15 projects will vie for the prestigious Grand Prize, a 16th project, “Gold,” was previously announced on February 17 during the Berlinale’s Co-Pro Series Market. This Swiss thriller, centered on a brilliant gold trader navigating the dark underbelly of the global gold trade to save her family’s legacy, will participate in the Series Mania Forum but is excluded from the pitching sessions’ main competition. Its early unveiling highlights the continuous flow of talent and projects across major industry events, demonstrating the relentless pace of development in the global television landscape.
This year’s lineup is notably “packed by thrillers,” a testament to the genre’s enduring popularity and its capacity to explore complex societal issues and human psychology. From chilling Nordic crime to geopolitical espionage and intimate domestic dramas, the projects offer a rich tapestry of suspenseful storytelling, often featuring powerful female protagonists and delving into themes of redemption, survival, and identity.
Icelandic Intrigue: From Bestselling Novels to Diplomatic Deceit
Iceland, a perennial hotbed for captivating crime narratives, presents two standout projects that promise to enthrall global audiences. Leading production company Glassriver brings “Konrad,” an adaptation of best-selling novels by the internationally acclaimed author Arnaldur Indriðason. Indriðason, a titan of Nordic Noir, boasts over 20 million copies sold worldwide, ensuring a pre-existing global fanbase eagerly awaiting this translation to the screen. Creator and writer Andri Óttarsson articulates the series’ unique appeal: “This series is based on a best-selling IP from an author whose work has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, bringing a built-in global audience.” He further elaborates on the character-driven nature of the show: “Drawing from the first two books in the series, it follows an older, retired and deeply flawed protagonist — not a heroic detective archetype, but a man seeking moral redemption — in a psychological character study wrapped in the tension of a crime thriller. Each episode will blend slow-burn mystery with moments of emotional revelation as Konrad is forced to confront the one mystery he’s never solved: himself.” This introspective approach, combined with the signature atmospheric tension of Icelandic crime, positions “Konrad” as a powerful entry in the global thriller market.
Another compelling Icelandic offering is “Death of a Diplomat,” produced by Truenorth Nordic, a company with a proven track record, having produced and serviced the fourth season of HBO’s critically acclaimed “True Detective” and co-produced “The Darkness” with CBS Studios. This series is based on the debut novel by Eliza Reid, the former First Lady of Iceland, whose unique perspective undoubtedly infuses the narrative with authentic insight into the world of high-stakes diplomacy. The story plunges the wife of the Canadian ambassador into an unexpected role as a detective after a murder rocks a high-profile event in Iceland. Creator and writer Lynne Kamm succinctly captures the essence of the show: “Diplomacy is lying in a tuxedo, and nobody knows this better than Eliza Reid. She spent eight years smiling through state dinners with politicians, corporate sharks and performance artists angling for a patron,” Kamm remarked, calling the show “wickedly fun.” She concluded, “‘Death of a Diplomat’ is what happens when the smile finally cracks, the cocktails get poisoned and somebody has to pay the price.” The premise, blending diplomatic intrigue with a sharp, female-led investigation, resonates strongly with contemporary audiences seeking sophisticated and empowering narratives.
European Voices: Unearthing Anti-Heroines and Social Shifts
Germany contributes “Ignition,” a “high-octane, female-led action series” about a car mechanic who finds herself drawn into the criminal underworld. Co-creator and producer Sebastian Herbst highlights its unique market position: “fills a major gap in the market for gritty, East German-set, high-end dramas.” He adds, “It tells the story of an anti-heroine’s fight for survival, filled with dark humor, and explores the lengths she will go to in order to save her family’s legacy when the system of late-stage capitalism crushes her.” The exploration of an anti-heroine navigating systemic pressures in a distinctive historical and geographical setting promises a fresh take on the action genre.
From Israel, “Fit” delves into the clash between public persona and private desires. Produced by Alona Refua of Green Productions, the series unravels when intimate security footage from a luxury suburban high-rise gym goes viral, exposing the secret affairs of several married women with their adored instructor. “This project mixes satire and heart with an unapologetically sexy take, as it examines the clash between our societal family roles and our deeper secret passions,” said producer Alona Refua. The project taps into universal anxieties about privacy, reputation, and the complexities of modern relationships, with a comedic yet dramatic lens.
Spain showcases its narrative prowess with two distinct projects. “The Glacier Murders,” brought by Brutal Media (a Spanish production company owned by BBC Studios) in co-production with Chile’s Fábula, is adapted from a novel by Cristian Perfumo. The series follows a young Spaniard who inherits a remote hotel in Patagonia and stumbles upon a corpse frozen for thirty years in the San Quintín Glacier. Arlette Peyret of Brutal Media emphasizes the project’s international ambition: “It’s one of the projects born from Brutal’s strategy to open up to international co-productions, particularly with Latin America and other global partners. We’re excited to join forces with Fábula and bring our talent together to build something ambitious and meaningful.” Co-producer Alvaro Cabello further paints a vivid picture: “Patagonia and Barcelona are currently two of the most visually striking places on our planet, each in its own unique way. The environment surrounding our story is infinitely enhanced by this visual richness, intensifying both the narrative and the thriller [element].” This blend of breathtaking landscapes and a cold case mystery evokes the global appeal of “sense of place” thrillers.
Spain’s second offering, “Without Standing,” transports audiences to Madrid in 1981, a turbulent time when divorce finally became legal in the country. The series follows a blacklisted secretary who seizes this historic moment to open a one-woman law firm, ready to represent desperate wives navigating newly accessible freedoms. This drama offers a compelling look at a significant social shift, seen through the eyes of a resilient woman challenging societal norms and fighting for female agency.
France presents two historically and geographically diverse narratives. “Dejima” rewinds to 1828, chronicling the perilous flight of a French doctor and a Japanese noblewoman of samurai blood. This historical drama promises a tale of forbidden love and cultural clash against the backdrop of Japan’s era of isolation. Meanwhile, “Montroc,” produced by Haut et Court TV, plunges into the 1990s in the Chamonix Valley, where a tragic avalanche tests the limits of its protagonist, Blaise, the head of the High Mountain Rescue Unit. This action-drama explores human endurance and the raw power of nature in a high-stakes rescue operation.
Belgium’s “Dark Moors,” also known as “Fagnes,” is set in the atmospheric region of Belgium’s “Little Siberia.” It features a Yenish teenage girl and a young female sergeant who embark on a quest for truth, a truth that threatens to ignite a war neither desires. Producer Catherine Burniaux (Les Gens Studio) lauded its “intimate power and rare territorial grounding.” She elaborated: “Born from Vero Cratzborn’s personal vision, it explores the emancipation of two women in a world — that of the High Fens and the Yenish community — that is still rarely depicted on screen. What distinguishes the series is the tension between a deeply local narrative and a universal ambition, driven by rigorous writing and a strong visual identity.” This emphasis on underrepresented communities and strong female leads makes “Dark Moors” a particularly intriguing prospect.
From the United Kingdom, “Imposter Syndrome” offers a sharp commentary on wealth and identity. A struggling actor is hired as a security double for a scion of a famous family dynasty. When his employer is found dead, he must not only prove his innocence but reclaim his own identity while uncovering a sinister conspiracy at the heart of the family business. Executive producer Eve Gutierrez believes “it feels like the perfect time to shine an unflinching light on the world of the uber-wealth through the eyes of Kevin, an ordinary guy who always wanted to be somebody famous but now finds himself fighting to prove he isn’t. This fiendishly clever and entertaining original series from Tom Stuart grabbed us straight away.” Eleventh Hour Films, the production company, has a strong portfolio, including “Rebus,” “Marble Hall Murders,” “Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue,” “The Killing Kind,” and “Alex Rider,” signaling significant potential for this new thriller.
Finland contributes “Power Couple,” a timely geopolitical thriller. The series explores the harrowing dilemma of a presidential candidate who discovers her beloved husband is actually a Russian-born sleeper agent who has just been reactivated. Co-creator and producer Mikko Pöllä from Fire Monkey eloquently states: “Beneath the sleeper-agent premise, the series explores whether it is ever truly possible to know another person — even after twenty years of marriage.” He adds, “At its heart, it is also a story about love, resilience, and the strength of genuine partnership in the face of overwhelming forces.” This blend of high-stakes political espionage with profound personal drama promises a captivating watch.
Italy introduces “The Transfer of the Century,” a drama-comedy about the worst club in the league facing eight billion lira of debt and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to sign Maradona. This project offers a nostalgic and exhilarating dive into the world of football, ambition, and audacious risks.
From the Baltics to Central Asia: Unearthing New Voices and Geopolitical Realities
Latvia’s “Aurora.Newsroom.” stars Agnese Budvoska as an investigative journalist who uncovers a new Cold War spy network operating in the Baltics following an explosion in a wind farm. Creator Gints Grūbe, who produces for Mistrus Media, stresses the series’ urgency and relevance: “We believe this story is both urgent and essential, not only for the Baltic region, but for Europe and global audiences.” He elaborates on the real-world inspiration: “This series responds directly to escalating hybrid threats, growing political disinformation and rising distrust in democratic institutions, which are shaping public life across the continent. As producers based in Latvia, we have seen first-hand how disinformation campaigns, sabotage operations and intelligence activity unfold in our region. Not as fiction, but as daily geopolitical realities.” Grūbe assures audiences that “Aurora.Newsroom.” is “more than a thriller,” asserting, “It’s a timely and necessary political drama that blends genre entertainment with deep relevance.”
One of the most geographically novel entries comes from Kyrgyzstan: “Red Pants.” This “unique, bold dramatic series inspired by true events in set in the rarely explored world of Soviet-era Central Asia,” as described by Erke Dzhumakmatova, founder of Oymo Studio. The series delves into the late 1970s, where teenage girls, dismissed by society, form an all-female gang to protect the poor and challenge the corrupt. “At its core is the story of teenage girls — barely more than children — who refuse to be erased by patriarchy and silence in a country where history has buried women who dared to fight back. Their rebellion, at once violent and tender, exposes the fragile line between survival and criminality, justice and vengeance,” Dzhumakmatova explains. She connects this project to her previous work, “Kurak,” which also addressed violence against women in Central Asia. Co-producer Pavel Felman of Human Films adds, “We are drawn to stories that uncover silenced histories through a powerful human lens. ‘Red Pants,’ created by Kyrgyz voices, reveals a rarely explored chapter of Soviet Central Asia while speaking to a universal struggle for dignity, agency and survival. The project stands out for its emotional rawness and its fearless young female protagonists.” Creator Tilek Cherikov describes “Red Pants” as a “deeply personal story,” born from his own upbringing in the Issyk-Kul region where the events unfold. He reveals the poignant origin of the “The title comes from an awkward moment when their leader’s jeans were stained with menstrual blood. The girls transformed into an act of solidarity by dyeing their own pants red, turning it into a symbol of strength, unity and womanhood without shame.” This powerful narrative promises to shed light on a forgotten history through the lens of female solidarity and defiance.
Southern Hemisphere Mysteries: Family Secrets and Scenic Settings
South Africa brings “Twisted Vines,” focusing on a crime novelist struggling with writer’s block. She is forced to return to her hometown, a small town steeped in secrets, after her estranged father dies and her brother is arrested for the murder. Teaming up with her reluctant ex, now a police detective, she must unravel the mystery of her father’s murder while solving other local crimes along the scenic South African wine route. This procedural drama combines personal stakes with a picturesque yet potentially dangerous setting, offering a unique flavor to the crime genre.
Series Mania: A Catalyst for Global Television
Series Mania General Manager Laurence Herszberg underscored the enduring impact of the pitching sessions: “The Co-Pro Pitching Sessions have had a tangible impact on many projects over the years,” noting with satisfaction that “a wide variety of countries were represented, both in the submissions and the selected projects.” This sentiment is echoed by the sheer breadth of applications, with submissions pouring in from 65 countries this year, including exciting new territories such as Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Cyprus, Uruguay, Panama, and Malaysia. This expanding global footprint underscores Series Mania’s role as an essential hub for uncovering diverse narratives and fostering international collaboration.
Francesco Capurro, Director of Series Mania Forum, further highlighted the initiative’s success, stating that since its launch, “more than 40 projects have been produced and successfully broadcast across numerous territories.” He cites notable examples such as “Unspoken,” “Off Season,” “Keeping Faith,” “Stella Blomkvist,” “Devils,” and “The Head,” all of which have achieved international recognition and audience engagement. Capurro succinctly captures the essence of the forum’s mission: “As a true development accelerator, these sessions offer producers a unique opportunity to connect with potential co-producers, distributors and international broadcasters, helping ambitious series reach audiences worldwide.” The Co-Pro Pitching Sessions at Series Mania continue to serve as a vital crucible for the next generation of global television, championing diverse voices and bringing compelling stories from every corner of the world to an eager international viewership.
