Nordic pubcasters NRK, SVT, DR swipe right on Maipo Film’s Dates in Real Life

Public broadcasters in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland are on board a forthcoming romantic drama series that has been picked up for international distribution by LA-based distributor Dynamic Television.

Marianne Furevold Boland

Dates in Real Life (7×30′) is being made by Norwegian prodco Maipo Film with funding from NRK in Norway, SVT in Sweden, DR in Denmark, YLE in Finland, RUV in Iceland, The Norwegian Film Institute and the Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

The contemporary show follows a young woman who has spent most of her social life in a virtual reality world but is now determined to find love in real life.

Jakob Rorvik is onboard as the series creator, writer and director, while producers are Petter Onstad Løkke and Synnøve Hørsdal. Filming begins next month in Norway, with the series set to premiere in 2024.

“NRK Drama will constantly strive to find new ways to tell stories about our present and reflect our audience. Dates in Real Life is a good example of a series that delivers on this mission,” said Marianne Furevold Boland, NRK’s head of drama.

“Dates in Real Life is a modern story that taps into the zeitgeist of how so many young people are living their lives today. It’s an eye-opening but charming romance story that speaks to anyone who has ever been in love,” said Annika Schmidt, head of German originals and European coproductions for Dynamic Television.

“It’s a series that mixes drama and wry comedy with an empathetic look at modern romance. And above all, Dates In Real Life is a very contemporary take on a young character’s journey to self-acceptance,” added Rørvik.