Gaumont TV Europe is digging into its second international drama co-production with the 12-part English-language 1001. The contemporary thriller is created by Lars Lundström whose hit Swedish series Real Humans has been adapted as Humans for AMC and Channel 4, and whose Tusenbröder is being remade as Brothers In Crime by Valhalla Entertainment and Universal Cable Productions. Gaumont TV Europe and Lundstöm’s Matador Films are producing 1001 with Eyeworks Scandi Fiction.
Set in Sweden, the story follows a policewoman as she receives a message from someone claiming to have committed the murder she is investigating. The person demands 1001 million transferred to various bank accounts, or more people will die. But the amount of the ransom is a thinly veiled message to a group of government officials: The blackmailer has insight into a secret from the past involving a 1980s medical research project that had good intentions, but went horribly wrong.
This is Gaumont TV Europe’s second high-profile drama after announcing William Boyd’s 10-episode Spy City last year. It’s also the latest move for head of international co-productions Elizabeth Dreyer, a respected former film executive who joined Gaumont in late 2014.
Lundström’s credits also include Wallander and Labyrint. He created Matador in 2009 with producer Henrik Widman and last year entered a strategic partnership with Eyeworks Scandi Fiction.
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