11/02/2021 - The Nordic noir crime series is penned by Torfinnur Jákupsson and Donna Sharpe, and is based on the best-selling novels by Faroese novelist Jógvan Isaksen

Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) has announced the launch of its first-ever Faroese original drama production, a Nordic noir crime series entitled Trom and directed by Kasper Barfoed. In recent years, the Copenhagen-born helmer has worked on the features Summer of ’92 [+see also:
trailer
interview: Esben Smed
film profile] (2015) and The Numbers Station (2013) as well as on the TV series Dicte: Crime Reporter (2013-2014) and Gidseltagningen (2017).

In detail, his new endeavour follows journalist Hannis Martinsson (played by Denmark’s Ulrich Thomsen), who unexpectedly receives a message from Sonja, a young Faroese woman who claims she is Hannis’s daughter and that her life is in danger. Reluctantly returning home to the Faroes to investigate, Hannis discovers Sonja’s body in the bloody waters of a whale hunt. His search for answers soon brings him into conflict with the local detective chief inspector, Karla Mohr (Maria Rich), as he uncovers a web of secrets in the close-knit community – but how far is he willing to go to learn the truth?

The six-part series, based on the best-selling novels by award-winning Faroese novelist Jógvan Isaksen, is penned by Torfinnur Jákupsson and Donna Sharpe.

Speaking about his involvement in the project, actor Ulrich Thomsen said: “For me personally, it will be an amazing experience, since I have never been to the Faroe Islands. I will also be reuniting with director Kasper Barfoed, with whom I did Summer of ’92. Besides that, it will be a thrilling series which is politically very relevant right now in a country that is fairly unexploited in the film and series market. I am really excited to get started.”

Meanwhile, NENT Group chief content officer Filippa Wallestam added: “The first-ever Faroese drama series is a landmark in so many ways. Incredible creative talents, a murder mystery that weaves spiritual and folk-tale elements into a fascinating tapestry, and a uniquely bleak and beautiful Atlantic backdrop. We can’t wait to bring such a special show to Viaplay and finally put Faroese drama on the map.”

Trom is being produced by Denmark’s REinvent Studios in co-production with Faroe Islands-based Kyk Pictures, Iceland’s Truenorth and Germany’s ZDF/ARTE. The series is supported by the Nordisk Film & TV Fond, the Faroese Film Institute and the European Union’s Creative Europe – MEDIA programme. REinvent handles its international sales. Filming is set to start in the Faroe Islands in March 2021. The series will be premiered on NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service next year.