EXCLUSIVE: Pachinko and The Morning Show Studio Media Res is building out its international division by hiring a Nordics boss, who has landed first project.
Anna-Klara Carlsten, whose credits include Spring Uje Spring and Tore, will lead the Nordics slate and report into Lars Blomgren, who runs international for Media Res.
Carlsten’s first project is an SVT adaptation of Let The Right One In author John Ajvide Lindqvist‘s latest novel Summer of 1985, which will be directed by The Bridge co-creator Björn Stein. Published in 2023, the story centers on a group of friends preparing for an epic summer together in the Stockholm archipelago. When the discovery of a mythic creature with mysterious origins and abilities upends their lives, new experiences and pleasures induce the group at the increasing cost of their psyches. The book comes from the celebrated author of Let The Right One In, Let Me In and Border, all of which have been made into feature films by Tomas Alfredson, Matt Reeve and Ali Abbasi respectively. Stein most recently directed Whiskey on the Rocks for Disney+ and SVT.
Carlsten is a vet Scandi producer whose credits include William Spetz’s Tore for Netflix, two seasons of Viaplay’s Thunder in my Heart and feature films Exodus and Spring Uje Spring.
Ex-Banijay exec Blomgren joined Michael Ellenberg’s Media Res to head up the newly-opened international arm in 2023. His team has since enlisted Oscar-winning filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg (Another Round) to spearhead a TV adaptation of Astrid Lindgren’s children’s fantasy novel The Brothers Lionheart into an event limited series.
Blomgren called Carlsten “one of the most in-demand producers in the Nordics.”
“We have great ambition to emulate the quality of the work of our colleagues in the U.S. studio but with a distinctly international feel; exploring multi-faceted stories from across the UK, Europe and beyond,” he added. “We look forward to sharing news about the upcoming slate of projects set up with major broadcasters and streamers.”
Carlsten said: “I am thrilled about the opportunity to work alongside Lars, Michael [Ellenberg], and the talented team at Media Res. Our focus will be on producing high-quality, internationally-oriented scripted content under the umbrella of this highly respected production studio.”
Summer of 1985 “perfectly encapsulates what I want to bring to the party,” she added. Production on the series will start later this year with Stein directing, Amy Deasismont writing and co-directing, and Melina Maraki writing. Carlsten will produce alongside EPs Blomgren and author Lindqvist.
Media Res’ previous signature hires were a trio of TV execs who came in late last year. Earlier this week the studio was revealed to be behind a Jeremy Allen White-starring Netflix TV adaptation of André Aciman’s Enigma Variations.
