Nelonen, Endemol Shine Finland find their Supporting Actor for comedy-drama series

Kari Ketonen (left) and Antti Holma in Supporting Actor

Finnish broadcaster Nelonen has commissioned a comedy-drama series to be produced by Banijay-owned Endemol Shine Finland.

Kari Ketonen and Antti Holma will star in Supporting Actor, known locally as Kurjen Kirous, which will air on Nelonen’s linear channel and its streaming service Ruutu.

Written and directed by Niklas Lindgren (Idiomatic, Bad Women), the eight-episode series will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights. Endemol Shine Finland’s Max Malka and Unne Sormunen are exec producing.

Ketonen (Wingman, Lapland Odyssey trilogy) stars as Aki Kurki, a talented but difficult actor who has been stuck in supporting roles, never landing the leading parts. When a fortune teller reveals this is due to a curse that has been placed on him, he must begin a process of self-reflection.

Supporting Actor is the second scripted show from Endemol Shine Finland following Dance Brothers, a coproduction with Netflix and YLE. The series was Netflix’s first Finnish original series to premiere globally, and will air later on YLE.