EXCLUSIVE: OneGate Media will bring crime thriller Blind to the international market after scooping the rights to the upcoming TV drama, which is based on Christine Brand’s bestselling Milla Nova series of novels.
Swiss author Brand’s book series has sold over 400,000 copies so the upcoming TV drama adaptation is much anticipated – so much so that Swiss broadcaster SRF is developing a second season of the TV adaptation ahead of the launch of the first season next year. The plan is for a returning drama with each season based on one of Brand’s books.
Blind is made by Zodiac Pictures, producer of the series New Heights (aka Neumatt), which is on Netflix, and Late Shift, the Swiss entry for the Best International Feature Film Oscar.
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Per the synopsis, Blind follows a visually impaired bartender who claims a pregnant woman was kidnapped from his bar. Investigators find signs of a struggle but no trace of the victim, and Inspector Bandini identifies Nathaniel as the prime suspect. Determined to prove his innocence, Nathaniel finds an ally in investigative journalist Milla. Together, they uncover a web of lies, secrets and hidden connections.
Plinio Bachmann created the series, which is co-directed by Christian Johannes Koch and Barbara Kulcsar.
“Blind elevates the crime genre to a new level,” said Tania Reichert-Facilides, Managing Director of OneGate Media, which is a subsidiary of German pubcaster ARD. “It represents the growing international appetite for sophisticated European storytelling, as well as the high-quality production value that we prioritise on our slate.”
“This series, like Brand’s novels, is truly ‘made in Switzerland’- and packed with twists and turns, intriguing characters and psychological depth,” added Jessica Hefti at Zodiac Pictures. “At the heart of this series is the character of Nathaniel and his visual impairment, adding a unique and powerful element to the story.”