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Fuller adapts NRK teen drama

NRK's Skam examines the lives of a group of 16-year-olds

NRK’s Skam examines the lives of a group of 16-year-olds

Simon Fuller’s production outfit XIX Entertainment is preparing a North American version of Norwegian broadcaster NRK’s hit teen drama Skam.

XIX, which has signed a letter of intent with NRK, will produce an English-language version to be known as Shame for Canada and the US, with broadcaster details yet to be revealed.

Simon Fuller

Simon Fuller

Skam debuted in 2015 and in January will go into its fourth season on NRK. It explores the lives of a group of 16-year-olds tackling subjects such as eating disorders, sexual identity and religion.

Episodes are broadcast live online and viewers can interact with characters using social media, while a weekly catch-up show on NRK’s linear network then recaps events.

The series has become a ratings hit for NRK, reeling in audiences of 1.3 million in Norway, which has a population of only five million.

Fuller, who is best known for creating entertainment formats Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, will produce the English-language version in 2017.

He said the Norwegian show was “made with honesty and integrity for a younger audience” and had become “a leader in how it explores various channels and platforms for storytelling.”

“Many in the international television industry have become aware of Skam this fall, but no one has shown that they have the vision of Simon Fuller,” said Haakon Moslet, editorial director for NRK’s youth programming.

“He wants to be true to the original concept and make Skam a series that can change the rules of the game in American TV.”

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