Tandem to cross borders with crime drama

MIPTV: German producer and distributor Tandem Communications will begin production on its new US$30m crime drama Crossing Lines this September after unveiling the show to potential buyers in Cannes.

The English-language series, about a team of police officers tasked with solving crimes across Europe, has been developed by Tandem alongside US showrunner Ed Bernero, whose credits include long-running US series Criminal Minds.

Broadcast and coproduction partners will be announced next month and the show is set to be delivered during the first quarter of 2013. Each episode has a US$3m budget.

Bernero told C21: “We have a team of law enforcement superstars from across Europe that come together and solve crimes across Europe. It’s so interesting to me to bring cops from different countries together. We want to bring all the cultural differences as well.”

Bernero aims to create five two-part episodes focusing on a police team based at The Hague in the Netherlands but with stories taking place across Europe.

“My belief is the audience is getting tired of 42-minute police shows,” he said. “It’s become a formula now, so I think two-hour police stories will be the wave of the future.”

Crossing Lines is produced by Tandem and Bernero Productions, with Tandem’s Rola Bauer, Tim Halkin and Jonas Bauer exec producing with Bernero, who will also work as showrunner.

Worldwide distribution is being handled by Tandem. Other Tandem titles presented to buyers here at Cannes include Titanic: Blood and Steel, World Without End and Labyrinth.