Channel 4 buys Norwegian political drama

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has acquired Mammon, a political drama from Norwegian pubcaster NRK.

The deal comes after the British channel had success with another foreign-language series, French drama Les Revenants, last year.

Nordic World has closed further deals for the 6x60mins Mammon in the Nordic territories, as well as Beta Films picking up rights in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Lumiere Publishing taking on rights in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

In total the deals have netted NOK6.5 million (US$1 million).

Mammon is an NRK Dramas original and is billed as a “tense” drama incorporating politics, media and finance. It follows an ambitious journalist whose attempts to find scoop stories lead to dangerous situations.

Scandinavian distributor Nordic World sells the finished tape internationally, while MTG-owned DRG sells the format and has already scored a deal in the US with Chernin Entertainment and Fox.

The Norwegian series debuted last week and has scored excellent ratings. A second season has already been commissioned.

NRK drama chief Ivar Køhn said: “The initial reception for Mammon has been absolutely fantastic [and proves] Norwegian television drama is in a very positive flow. We make good things, what we do is appreciated by the Norwegian viewers and our productions are getting considerable international attention.

“It also means that several international producers want to work with us on new projects.”