Miso Film Thrives in Challenging Nordic Market
In a competitive Nordic market still recovering from Viaplay's decline and reduced streaming commissions, Miso Film, the Fremantle-owned Nordic powerhouse behind "The Investigation" and "Those Who Kill," stands out with its continued success.
Under the leadership of founders Peter Bose and Jonas Allen, Miso Film has produced a remarkable portfolio of iconic series, including "Beck," "Wallander," and "1864." Celebrating their 20th anniversary, they present a robust slate of high-end shows and films featuring top Scandinavian talent.
Miso Film recently premiered Tomas Alfredson's "Faithless," an adaptation of Ingmar Bergman's film, at the Toronto Film Festival. They are currently producing a six-episode series based on Linn Ullmann's bestselling novel "The Cold Song" and "Royal Blood," a historical epic set in 1807.
The company's latest production, "Uniform," is a six-part primetime crime series for Danish television. Directed by Janus Metz ("Armadillo," "True Detective") and written by Oscar Giese ("2 Days") and Anders August ("Follow The Money"), the series will begin filming in March in Copenhagen.
Featuring a star-studded cast, including Lena Maria Christensen, Jakob Cedergren, Marco Ilsø, and Soheil Bavi, "Uniform" explores the aftermath of a police trainee shooting an aggressive young man. The series examines the use of force and police training while investigating the case and the choices and responsibilities that accompany the uniform.
Bose praises August and Giese for creating an "engaging and relevant story" that will be "wonderfully articulated" under Metz's unique directorial vision. Miso Film is producing the series with Sofie Bergstein.
Metz draws parallels between "Uniform" and his 2010 thriller "Armadillo," both addressing themes related to the military and police. He aims to bring a fresh perspective to Danish policing by exploring it within an educational setting.
"Uniform" is scheduled to premiere on DR in early 2026 and has already been acquired by broadcasters in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland.
Despite industry challenges, Miso Film has weathered the storm through its affiliation with Fremantle, which provided financial support for project development during the downturn. Allen notes that while Viaplay's decline impacted the market, other streamers also scaled back local productions.
By using their own funds and Fremantle's backing, Miso Film secured a stable pipeline of titles, positioning itself favorably when streamers resumed acquisitions. Allen emphasizes their diversified client base, including public broadcasters, commercial networks, and remaining streamers.
Allen and Bose attribute part of their success to risk-taking for original stories and finding supportive partners for each project. Miso Film's focus on collaborating with talented filmmakers and actors has also been instrumental.
Bose highlights "Royal Blood" as an example of their commitment to creating Nordic stories with universal appeal. The company has also ventured into romantic comedies and dramedies, including "A Copenhagen Love Story" for Netflix.
Miso Film's unwavering commitment to artistic excellence has been recognized by Fremantle. Christian Vesper, Fremantle's CEO Global Drama and Film, applauds their ability to deliver exceptional shows that have stabilized and restructured the company during challenging market conditions.