South African Bridge in the works

The Bridge drama format has had multiple adaptations

The deal will see Cape Town-based Both Worlds seek a broadcast partner to create a South African/Zimbabwean version of the international series.

South African production company Both Worlds Pictures has picked up the local remake rights to Endemol Shine’s classic Nordic Noir drama The Bridge.

The deal will see Cape Town-based Both Worlds seek a broadcast partner to create a South African/Zimbabwean version of the international series.

The adaptation will feature an all-African cast and will be based on the famous Beit Bridge, the border post separating South Africa and Zimbabwe.

It will be the seventh local version of the series, which has so far been remade in Malaysia/Singapore, Germany/Austria, Croatia/Serbia, US/Mexico, UK/France and Russia/Estonia.

Originally known in Sweden and Denmark as Bron/Broen, the format is a crime thriller exploring the tensions between two neighbouring countries.

It was created by Filmlance International, part of Endemol Shine Group, in Sweden and Nimbus Film in Denmark. The fourth and final series of the original aired in Sweden and Denmark last year.

Both Worlds is known for double International Emmy nominee and multiple SAFTA winner ZANEWS’ Puppet Nation, as well as Point of Order, Parlement Parlement, Comedy Central News and the TF1 movie Operation Rainbow Warrior.

It has recently launched a high-end scripted content division under the supervision of South African screenwriter Karen Jeynes and has several TV series in advanced stage of development with local and international broadcasters.

These include Recipes For Love & Murder, based on Sally Andrew’s best-selling novels, coproduced with Edinburg based Pirate Productions with the support of Creative Scotland.