Scripted

Banijay today announces Countrymen, a new scripted series from Norwegian label, Rubicon, for public broadcaster NRK, in co-production with Arte France and distributed internationally by Banijay Rights.

Countrymen sees four men with dubious plans move to a farm in the rural Norwegian countryside. More or less against their will, they end up as the founders of Norway's first halal cheesemaking business.

The 8-part series is created and written by award-winning director and screenwriter, Izer Aliu (Hunting Files), along with Rubicon’s Anne Bjørnstad. The lead actors are Nader Khademi (Ninjababy, Beforeigners, Homeground, Witch Hunt), Ayaz Hussain (Kasim Bæder), Jonas Strand Gravli (Ragnarok, Wisting, July 22) Arben Bala (Exit, Lilyhammer) and Erika Strand Mamelund.

Anne Bjørnstad, Creative Director at Rubicon comments: “This metaphoric concept will get people talking here in Norway, and also resonate with global audiences. This high-quality series has been elevated with Izer Aliu writing and directing, and we are proud to create characters which are so brilliantly portrayed with warmth and humour by our cast.

One of Norway’s leading drama production companies, Rubicon, is behind a slate of original scripted productions, and recently announced Håkon Briseid has been appointed as CEO, joining early next year.

Credits include Beforeigners, which is available across HBO Europe territories, and via HBO Max in the U.S. Season two will launch later this year with Paul Kaye (Game of Thrones), Ann Akin (I May Destroy You), Jade Anouka (Cleaning Up), Billy Postlethwaite (Chenobyl), and Philip Rosch (The King) joining the cast.
Other credits include coming-of-age story Nach for Discovery Nordic, distributed by Banijay Rights. Rubicon and its creative leaders Eilif Skodvin and Anne Bjørnstad are also behind global success Lillyhammer, and The Councilman, which was adapted for the Dutch market.
Banijay is home to the world’s best scripted producers, with over 50 diverse, award-winning labels across the company’s footprint in the UK, US, Australia, Germany, Benelux, Iberia, Israel, Italy, Poland, Russia, India and across the Nordics.