Stan acquires Malaysian version of hit scripted format ‘The Bridge’

The Bridge Malaysia (Source: Double Vision)

Australian streamer Stan has acquired both seasons of the Malaysian version of crime drama The Bridge.

Originally created by Hans Rosenfeldt as a Swedish-Danish co-production, the Scandi-noir format has been remade in multiple countries, with the Malaysian version produced by Double Vision for HBO Asia and Viu in 2018.

As with other versions of the format, season one of the 20 x 60-minute show follows the poilice investigation after a dead body is found on the border between Malaysia and Singapore, necessitating an investigator from each country to work together to solve the crime.

Season two, meanwhile, is an entirely original storyline and, unlike the other iterations of the format, involves a third country – in this case Indonesia.

Min Lim, CEO of Double Vision owner Vision New Media, head of production at Double Vision and the series’ showrunner, said: “Malaysian drama has not traditionally travelled well outside of the country, let alone outside of Asia, and this is something that I am incredibly passionate about changing.

“So, to have our version of The Bridge premiere on Stan in Australia, is not only testament to the incredible skills and talent base that we have in the country but also to the fact that well-made shows of any language can travel if given the opportunity. This has made me even more committed to ensuring that more Malaysian productions find great homes overseas.”