NENT Group orders UK original

Nordic Entertainment (NENT) Group is adapting Amanda Reynolds’ novel Close to Me, with Connie Nielsen and Christopher Eccleston set to star and a UK broadcaster also on board.

Connie Nielsen

Due to premiere on NENT streaming service Viaplay across the Nordic and Baltic regions in 2021, the six-part English-language psychological drama has already been acquired by UK commercially funded public broadcaster Channel 4.

The show has been developed by The Development Partnership (TDP) and Great Point Media under TDP’s first-look deal with the fledgling NENT Studios UK (fka DRG). It is coproduced by Mexican indie Dopamine and distributed internationally by NENT Studios UK.

Dopamine and NENT Studios UK signed an agreement earlier this year to co-finance, develop and produce English-language scripted content together.

Close to Me tells the story of a woman who seems to have it all – a beautiful house in the country, a loving family and a devoted husband. But following a fall, an entire year vanishes from her memory.

As she struggles to piece events together, she discovers that her life wasn’t quite as perfect as she imagined – and that someone will do all they can to keep a terrible secret from her.

It is written by Angela Pell (Snow Cake) and will be directed by Michael Samuels (The Missing). Gina Carter (24 Hour Party People) and Nielsen are the executive producers, alongside Robert Taylor and Ed Clarke of TDP and Dave Clarke from NENT Studios UK. The series will go into production in the UK later this month.

Filippa Wallestam, NENT Group chief content officer, said: “This inventive, unsettling and fascinating drama uncovers the deception that can lie below the surface of a seemingly perfect family life.

“The constantly twisting plot, straight-to-camera dialogue and great indie soundtrack will draw in viewers, while also exploring a subject rarely highlighted on screen – the female midlife crisis.”

Richard Halliwell, CEO of NENT Studios UK, added: “We are currently developing a high-volume, wide-ranging slate of scripted projects, primarily for Viaplay, and anticipate announcing further greenlights over the coming months. I believe our new business to be a very attractive proposition, especially for British drama producers and writers, and encourage those with great ideas to get in touch.”

Nick Lee, head of series acquisitions at Channel 4, said: “Close to Me plots an intimate tale of midlife crisis and distrust in those you love. We are drawn to the arresting story of fear within domesticity that will be sure to keep our viewers gripped.”