ZDF picks up new Scandi crime drama

ZDF Enterprises has picked up international rights to Dicte, a new Scandinavian drama about a female crime journalist who solves crimes.

The 5x90mins or 10x45mins series is produced by Danish producer Miso Film and broadcaster TV2 Danmark with German public broadcaster ZDF and its commercial arm ZDF Enterprises.

Scandi drama is enjoying international success with shows including The Killing and The Bridge travelling well and being remade as English-language series.

Unlike other examples of the genre, which tend to have gritty, brooding tone, Dicte is pitched as a lighter, more comedic offering and ZDFE hopes this means it will work for a wider range of broadcasters than the more brooding series.

ZDFE said: Dicte has the typical crisp and atmospheric “Scandinavian” look, but is brighter, more relaxed and more humorous in tone than many of the other Nordic Noir series such as The Killing and The Bridge. The series’ sunny undercurrent reflects a new sub-genre that makes Scandinavian crime accessible to a broader spectrum of time slots and target audiences.”

The series is based on Elsebeth Egholm’s successful novels and is set in the Danish series of Aarhus. The series is currently in production.