Elisa Viihde meets Next of Kin

Next of Kin drops on Elisa Viihde Viaplay next year

Finnish entertainment service Elisa Viihde has commissioned a futuristic science thriller that will debut next year on new streaming platform Elisa Viihde Viaplay.

Next of Kin is set in the near future in Helsinki and asks questions about humanity, who we are and how genotypes link us to one another.

The eight-part drama sees Liv (Nika Savolainen) decide to discover what happened to her DNA sample when it was stolen from a biobank, but unknowingly ends up being pursued.

Produced by Bufo, it will launching in 2021 on Elisa Viihde Viaplay, the new streamer rolling out this autumn in a partnership between Elisa Viihde and Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT), combining existing platforms Elisa Viihde Aitio and NENT’s Viaplay.

The show is also produced in partnership with A+E Networks, who will be handling worldwide sales.

“We are seeing Finns are increasingly using streaming services to watch new series and so are keen to continue introducing fresh Finnish content. When Elisa Viihde Aitio and Viaplay join forces this autumn, Finnish, Nordic and international series will be available on one service. It’s great that we can offer the first Elisa Viihde original series to our customers that is the result of stellar talent from both Finland and Denmark,” says Ani Korpela, head of Elisa’s content business.

Next of Kin is directed by Akseli Tuomivaara (Korso), while Minna Panjanen, from Finland, and Valeria Richter, from Denmark, collaborated on the script.

Alongside Savolainen (Shadow Lines), the cast includes Elmer Bäck (Idiomatic), Matleena Kuusniemi (Hooked), Antti Virmavirta (Man in Room 301), Sarah Boberg (The Bridge), Sonny Lindberg (The Rain) and May Lifschitz (Warrior Nun).

Mark Lwoff, Misha Jaari and Pilvi Kuusrainen from Bufo are producing.

Since 2014, Elisa Viihde has released 21 original series, including Man in Room 301, Arctic Circle and All the Sins. Upcoming series include Laws of Man, Mister8 and Häräntappoase.