Ukrainian, Latvian firms set up drama copro

NATPE BUDAPEST: Broadcasters in Ukraine and Latvia have begun shooting a detective series they claim marks the first coproduction between the two countries.

Free-to-air network Ukraine, part of Media Group Ukraine, is working with Latvia’s Helio Media on Markus, an eight-episode series that follows an teacher whose son is kidnapped.

Written by Lera Kolegayeva and Volodymyr Skyba, the series is based on an original idea by Igor Volkov, with Anton Azarov directing. It will feature both Latvian and Ukrainian actors and will be produced by Art Territory in both countries.

Kaspars Ozolins, director at Helio Media, said the collaboration would result in a “unique international product, offering something new and captivating to Ukrainian and Latvian viewers.”

Ozolins added that Helio Media’s viewers were “fascinated by Ukrainian-made series and shows due to their dynamics, passion and power to bring out positive emotions.”

Victoria Korogod, director of the Ukraine channel, said the broadcaster had doubled down on developing fully fledged international cooperation as one of its priorities.

Iryna Chernyak, director of the TV content sales department at Media Group Ukraine, added: “Media Group Ukraine has been successfully selling its own content to the Baltic region for several years. Now we have reached a new level of cooperation having launched a story originally adapted to both markets.”

The coproduction was announced at Natpe Budapest International, which concludes today.