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Finnish director Juho Kuosmanen – awarded the Grand Prix at Cannes for “Compartment No. 6” – has joined forces with Finland’s Elisa Viihde on upcoming six-episode series “Yours, Margot.” Elisa Viihde is an entertainment service of Elisa, which has been commissioning original drama series since 2014.

“The project has been in stand-by mode and I’m happy to see it proceed with Elisa. We are still writing, because the script is crucial – even more in TV than in cinema,” he told Variety.

“We are not interested in making a TV series; we are interested in making a good TV series. And that takes time.”

What makes a good TV series? “A good script and a great ensemble. And a brilliant location scout,” he added. Previously, Kuosmanen directed series “Zone B” and “Alice & Jack,” the latter starring Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson. He also served as the show’s executive producer.

“Yours,...

The 7th MipDrama ended on Sunday with German series “House of Promises” named as the winner of the Buyers’ Coup de Coeur Award. While the showcase received mixed reactions from the participants, gathered onsite in Cannes – with only Italy’s “Bangla” opting for a more humorous approach – the event marked a win for Finland’s Elisa Viihde, presenting “Evilside,” “Summer of Sorrow” and “The Invicibles” (with Viaplay also attached.)

It must be some kind of a record that three out of 10 series are from the same commissioning broadcaster,” said Sari Lempiäinen, executive producer at Elisa Viihde. “We are excited and proud, as all of them are unique and brilliant.”

Here’s a drill-down on the 10 shows profiled at this year’s MipDrama:

“All That Is Left” (Sweden)

Genre: Teen / Young Adult

Format: 8 x 20’-25′

Production Companies: Erik McAllister for Svt and Lia Cederström for Baluba

Main Broadcaster: Svt

Distribution Company:...

Finland’s leading streaming service Elisa Viihde has ordered “Sphere of Shadows” (working title), an international political thriller series which will be directed by Aj Annila, the up-and-coming helmer who recently won a Jussi Award (Finnish equivalent to the Oscar) with “The Eternal Road.”

The ambitious ten-part series will be produced by Teea Hyytiä and Sari Lempiäinen from Zodiak Finland, while international sales will be handled by About Premium Content (Apc), an co-production and distribution outfit boasting offices in London and Paris.

Set in the 1950s, “Sphere of Shadows” (“Nyrkki”) unfolds in Helsinki which at the time was the focal point of the Cold War, as global powers and their intelligence agencies coalesced in the small neutral country that stood between the East and the West.

“Sphere of Shadows” follows a secret intelligence team whose mission is to defend the independence of Finland no matter the cost. And with the upcoming presidential election in Finland,...