NENT pulling the Astrid Lindgren card in the streaming wars
Astrid Lindgren is an author cherished by the Swedes as a national treasure and by feminists as an icon for creating strong independent women role models. The most well known is Pippi Longstocking but don’t forget Ronja, the Robber’s daughter. Nordic streaming entertainment company NENT has announced that Ronja will be one of their weapons in the stiff competition with US-based streaming companies.
‘Ronja the Robber’s Daughter’ published 1981 and translated to more than 40 languages was Lindgren’s last major book. It follows the adventures of a young independent girl born into a band of robbers in a medieval Scandinavian fortress. She befriends a boy from a rival band, Birk. Despite a background in rival bands they flee dangers and decide to survive on their own in the forest.
The book was made a move with Swedish actors in 1984 and in 1986, re-edited to a TV series. And now it’s time for a new version with manuscript written by ‘The Bridge’ creator Hans Rosenfeldt and directed by Lisa James Larsson. It will be a Swedish-language series with 12 episodes.
Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) and Filmlance International, a Banijay company, are partnering with The Astrid Lindgren Company to adapt the book to a Viaplay Original family fantasy series. The series will premiere exclusively on NENT Group’s Viaplay streaming service from 2023 with 12 episodes across two seasons.
Astrid Lindgren is among the world’s most translated and best-selling authors with more than 75 books published. Her work has been translated into over 100 languages and sold more than 165 million copies, and has been adapted for more than 70 feature films and TV productions.
Filippa Wallestam, NENT Group Chief Content Officer: “This classic story of a strong and independent girl was always far ahead of its time, and its themes of friendship, closeness to nature and questioning one’s assumptions are so relevant today. ”
Casting for ‘Ronja’ is ongoing and announcements will be made in due course. The Swedish-language series is executive produced by Sara Askelöf for NENT Group, with Bonnie Skoog Feeney and Mattias Arehn serving as producers for Filmlance International.
Moonshot News is an independent European news website for all IT, Media and Advertising professionals, powered by women and with a focus on driving the narrative for diversity, inclusion and gender equality in the industry.
Our mission is to provide top and unbiased information for all professionals and to make sure that women get their fair share of voice in the news and in the spotlight!
We produce original content, news articles, a curated calendar of industry events and a database of women IT, Media and Advertising associations.
