Viaplay commits to Conspiracy of Silence

MTG video streaming service Viaplay has ordered an eight-part political thriller named Conspiracy of Silence.

The announcement comes on the same day HBO Europe unveiled its first original series from the Nordic region, Gösta.

Set in murky world of the international arms trade, the drama will follow Jens Hultén (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation) as a haunted weapons dealer who returns to Sweden seeking revenge.

The release model will see the series, from MTG Studios and known in Sweden as Ingen Utan Skuld, first debut on SVOD service Viaplay in 2018 across the Nordic region before later transferring to MTG’s free TV network TV3.

Peter Arrhenius (Occupied) created the series, and Charlotte Brändström (Outlander) will direct.

Brain Academy, a prodco within the MTG-owned Nice Entertainment Group, is producing in cooperation with UK-based Pinewood Television, whose coproduction director is Swedish drama veteran Christian Wikander.

Stockholm-based Eccho Rights will distribute the series internationally.

“This is such an exciting series that shows the ambition of Scandinavian producers to step in to new territory, in a post-Nordic noir world,” said Eccho managing partner Nicola Söderlund.

Commenting on the concept, MTG executive VP and head of programming and content development Jakob Mejlhede said: “Is the defense industry defensible? Our original drama slate shows that we’re always ready to tackle controversial questions, including Sweden’s role as one of the world’s leading arms exporters.

“Conspiracy of Silence is a fast-paced story of revenge, guilt and double standards that will leave you breathless – and angry.”

For Viaplay, the show comes as the service continues to pump out a significant number of original shows in a bid to contend with Netflix, HBO and Amazon Prime Video, all of whom are commissioning local series.

Ira Gladnikoff, who replaced Jonas Karlen as head of the internet network in June, said: “From award-winning kids series to hard-hitting drama, Viaplay is the Nordic region’s premium destination for original content.

“We’re constantly bringing our viewers even more of what they love – whenever and wherever they want it – and we’re sure everybody will be talking about Conspiracy of Silence.”

Also on the Viaplay slate, which currently comprises more than 50 shows in development, are dramas Alex and The Lawyer.