Remake Relocates The Bridge To Estonia And Russia
A new version of Filmlance crime drama The Bridge is to transplant the action to the border between Russia and Estonia. It is the third time the format has been remade following a US version and the Anglo-French co-production, The Tunnel.
Russia’s NTV has commissioned 20 episodes of the series from Weit Media to run over two seasons, and will open with a body found on the Narva Friendship Bridge between Russia and Estonia. It will be based on the original scripted format for Bron/Broen, and is to star Mikhail Porechenkov as Russian detective Maxim Kazantsev, with Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė to play his Estonian counterpart, Inga Savisaar.
Filmlance MD, Lars Blomgren, said: “The Bridge is a truly global format, marrying provocative themes with grounded storytelling and characters. By setting the central concept against the unique cultural and socio-political backdrop of the Russian- Estonian border, it allows for a new and extraordinary story to unfold. I’m extremely excited at the prospect of working with our colleagues at Weit Media and can’t wait to get started.”
The original incarnation of The Bridge, produced by Filmlance, has sold to 157 territories since 2011, and creator Hans Rosenfeldt recently confirmed that everyone in on board for a fourth season.
Production for the Russian/Estonian remake is scheduled to begin in June and will air on NTV in 2017.