Russia to rebuild The Bridge

The original The Bridge has so far run to three seasons

MIPTV: Russian broadcaster NTV has ordered a local version of Scandinavian crime drama The Bridge.

The hit format, from Filmlance International and Nimbus Film, will be adapted for NTV by Weit Media, Endemol Shine Group’s partner company in Russia.

This will be the drama’s third international adaptation following Anglo-French coproduction The Tunnel for Sky and Canal+, and FX’s The Bridge in the US.

Weit Media will produce 20 episodes to air over two seasons. Production starts this June and the series is set to premiere in 2017.

The Russian version begins with a body found on the Narva Friendship Bridge that connects Russia and Estonia. Russian investigator Maxim Kazantsev and Estonian detective Inga Savisaar hunt for a serial killer at large in both countries.

Filmlance’s MD Lars Blomgren, who is collaborating on the Russian version, said that “setting the central concept against the unique cultural and socio-political backdrop of the Russia-Estonia border allows for a new and extraordinary story to unfold.”

Three seasons of the original Scandinavian version have aired so far, with season three becoming the top rated drama in both Sweden and Denmark last year. In total, the show has sold into 157 territories.

Weit Media has previously adapted Scandi crime hit The Killing for Rossiya. It is also responsible for adapting a number of unscripted formats in the territory, including MasterChef Junior and a second season of The Biggest Loser for CTC Channel, as well as a local version of comedy talent series Your Face Sounds Familiar for Russia 1.