Swedish indie links with ZDFE

The Swedish prodco behind Wallander is partnering with Germany’s ZDF Enterprises (ZDFE) to develop high-end drama series.

Tre Vänner will produce dramas featuring key Scandinavian talent for German and other international audiences. ZDFE, the distribution arm of ZDF, will provide market intelligence and sell the slate globally.

Jonas Fors, CEO of Tre Vänner, said ZDFE had already been an important partner in developing Scandinavian crime drama and making it an international success.

“The team at ZDFE has a unique sense of trends and knowledge of where the television industry is heading. Together we have the skills to create high-quality TV productions for the viewers of tomorrow,” said Fors.

Tre Vänner was founded in 1995 by screenwriters Michael Hjorth, Johan Kindblom and Tomas Tivemark and has since grown into one of Sweden’s biggest independent producers.

It is known for crime drama Wallander, which has been sold around the world, and recently produced the Easy Money trilogy of films, the second of which was picked up by ZDF and Arte a year ago.

The pact between the two companies comes as competition within the Scandinavian TV drama market continues to intensify, with Sweden’s Sonet Films on Friday becoming the latest to move into the space.