Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.
Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: Ivar Køhn

  1. Rubicon’s Still Breathing and The Strain Tackle Healthcare and Justice Systems

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    Norwegian creative powerhouse, Rubicon TV, part of Banijay Nordic, today announces two powerful new character-driven drama series, Still Breathing and The Strain, both for NRK.

    Still Breathing is an emotionally-charged 16-episode medical drama following four ambitious medical interns working at a struggling Norwegian hospital. Facing the harsh realities of an overstretched medical system, with rising patient numbers and dwindling resources, the young interns grapple with the complex ethical dilemmas of providing care in a system stretched to its limits. The characters learn that compassion alone may not be enough, and they are forced to grow in ways they never expected. The series explores the cracks in the system, while offering a glimmer of hope as the interns fight for a better healthcare future.

    The Strain is a high-stakes, six-episode crime thriller, where a former lawyer-turned- gardener is thrust into the underworld to save her daughter after a reckless mistake puts them both in danger. When the police fail to help, the mother is pushed to break the law, discovering a darker side of herself in the process. Set in an isolated Norwegian community where people do things their own way, the series blends gritty realism with suspense and action, exploring how far a mother will go when society’s safety net crumbles.

    Ivar Køhn, CEO of Rubicon, and Executive Producer, says: “These series underscore Rubicon’s commitment to crafting stories examining contemporary societal issues. Still Breathing sheds light on the critical issues of public healthcare, while The Strain confronts the impact of a fragmented justice system. Even with dark undertones, these dramas do offer viewers optimism, and while deeply rooted in Norwegian culture, they explore universal themes of hope, sacrifice and determination, making them perfect for NRK and bring wider international appeal.”

    Oslo-based Rubicon TV is behind a range of original comedy and drama for the local and international market. The company is behind recent Netflix success, Billionaire’s Island, as well as other creative hits Beforeigners (HBO) and The Countrymen (NRK).

    In line with Banijay Entertainment’s commitment to championing creative ambition, Still Breathing has been supported by the company’s Scripted Fund. Available to producers across the group’s footprint, the fund enhances the scope of projects, allowing creatives to fully realise their vision. Other recent scripted initiatives include Banijay Bootcamp, which paired in-house development executives from five different countries with emerging writers in a dynamic residency.

  2. Rubicon TV Strengthens Creativity with New Senior Hire

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    Content powerhouse, Banijay, today announces a new creative appointment at Norwegian scripted company, Rubicon TV, with Lars Gudmestad joining as Executive Producer. He will begin the position in April 2023.

    Gudmestad is one of the most experienced film and TV screenwriters in Norway with credits including Norwegian Film Institute Amanda Award winner Buddy, and other films such as Headhuntesr, The Orheim Company, Betrayed, as well as the TV series Next Summer and The King of Christmas. Prior to this appointment he worked at Feelgood and Fantefilm as a writer and development producer.

    Lars Gudmestad says: “Rubicon TV is recognised here in Norway, and internationally, as an innovative company built on the belief that originality is the key to shaping the future. I’m looking forward to working with the team to raise fresh emerging voices and using my passion to create new projects for Rubicon.”

    Ivar Køhn, CEO Rubicon TV comments: “We are incredibly happy that Lars will now be part of our creative team.  We strongly believe in having writers in the role of executive producers and having Lars in this new position will strengthen our opportunities to create original series for an ever-evolving market.”

    Over the years, Rubicon TV has distinguished itself as one of Norway’s most innovative drama producers with high-profile international credits Lilyhammer, Beforeigners, and Countrymen, which won awards at BANFF’s The Rockies, as well as Cannes Series in 2022.  The company is also behind the recently announced spy drama E14 Unit for Special Intel for TV2 Norway.

  3. Rubicon TV Uncovers The Role Of Norwegian Spies In The 1990s Yugoslavian War

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    Banijay today announces Rubicon TV, part of Banijay Nordic, has created a new spy thriller, E14 Unit for Special Intel for TV 2 Norway. The series will be written by the award-winning Sebastian Torngren Wartin and Erik Ivar Sæther.

    E14 – Unit for Special Intel is based on the true story behind the creation of a secret group within Norway’s Intelligence Service in the 1990s. With the brutal civil war occurring in the Balkans, a small unit of HUMINT-agents were thrown into then Yugoslavia to collect intelligence as part of the NATO intervention. In direct contrast to Norway’s reputation as a peace-loving nation, this raw, dramatic, and emotional drama explores the impact on the individual agents and the ruthless consequences for the local informants left behind.

    Ivar Køhn, CEO of Rubicon TV says: “As my first project at the helm of Rubicon TV, I am proud to be part of the team that will lift the lid on the secret operations of Norway’s first military NATO involvement. We are open to co-producing this gripping spy thriller which will expose the horror and courage apparent in war with powerful narratives and strong characters, and how, in the end, working for intelligence services means accepting the only morals are the ones that benefit your country’s mission.

    E14 – Unit for Special Intel will be produced by Gudny Hummelvoll (Occupied, Headhunters).

    Led by Ivar Køhn, Rubicon TV is one of the largest scripted production companies in Norway, with an impressive slate of titles including Lilyhammer, Countrymen, and Beforeigners.

  4. Ivar Køhn Takes Rubicon Helm as CEO

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    Banijay Nordic today announces a new senior appointment at Norwegian scripted label Rubicon, with Ivar Køhn taking up the role of Chief Executive Officer, joining from public broadcaster NRK.

    Køhn has been Head of Drama at NRK since 2013. Under his leadership, the network has fostered a strong portfolio of acclaimed hits, including Rubicon’s original series directed by Izer Aliu, Countrymen,which picked up a Cannes Series award in September, has been nominated for Best Script at this week’s Göteborg Film Festival, and will air in the US on NENT’s Viaplay, through a deal with Banijay Rights. Other recent successes include last year’s International Emmy winner, Atlantic Crossing, as well as high-profile scripted series 22 July, State of Happiness and Mammon 2.

    Prior to his time at NRK, Køhn spent six years leading the development and production department at the Norwegian Film Institute, and has previously held posts at the Norwegian Film Fund, Maipo Film and has also written and created his own scripted series.

    At Rubicon, Køhn will work with the company’s creative leaders, Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin, to further build the company’s pipeline of standout original programmes for the local and international market. He will take up the role on 1st May 2022, and will report to  Banijay Nordic’s CEO, Jacob Houlind, and the region’s Head of Scripted, Johannes Jensen.

    Norway’s leading drama production company, Rubicon, is behind a slate of freshly-created scripted productions. As well recent success Countrymen, Rubicon is also behind hit HBO Max series Beforeigners, which launched its second series last year across Europe and the US. Standout local talent, Eilif Skodvin and Anne Bjørnstad, are also behind global success Lillyhammer, and The Councilman, which was also adapted for the Dutch market.

    Ivar Køhn comments:  “I’ve had a great eight years with a skilled and committed gang in NRK’s ​​drama department, building a brilliant portfolio of hits. I feel very lucky to have been part of a very strong period of growth, at a broadcaster with a conscious and innovative relationship to both drama and publishing. The time now feels right for a change of editor, both for NRK, the industry and myself. There are great opportunities ahead for Norwegian drama, and to be involved in developing this through Rubicon TV will be challenging and super fun. The company is behind high-profile series such as Lilyhammer, Beforeigners and Countrymen, and is part of the worldwide community of producers in Banijay. I’m going to do something I’ve not done before, based on something I’ve been doing for quite some time.”

    Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin, Creative Directors at Rubicon comment: “Ivar has been one of the key figures in the successful development of Norwegian TV drama in recent years. He is globally recognised for his exceptional instinct in backing original ideas which become international hits. This, coupled with his industry know-how, vision and business sense, puts Rubicon in a fantastic position to further innovate and succeed both at home and abroad. We look forward to creating new, exciting stories together with Ivar.”

    Jacob Houlind, CEO at Banijay Nordic says: “Ivar Køhn has a stellar reputation across the scripted industry globally, and especially here in the Nordics. His knowledge of drama in Norway is second to none, and having already worked with Rubicon on several shows, he is the perfect match to lead the team. I’m looking forward to discovering the future stories and projects the new Rubicon team will create for the local and international market.”

    Banijay Nordic encompasses the region’s very best scripted labels, behind internationally-recognised drama and comedy. Recent and forthcoming credits from around the region include Yellowbird/Jarowskij film, Ur Spår, which launched in theatres in Sweden last week,  Ronja the Robber’s Daughter(Filmlance for Viaplay), A Class Apart (Jarowskij in co-production with Brommamamma, Film I Väst and Nent Group for Viaplay), Bäckström (Yellow Bird for CMore/ TV4), Young Wallander 2 and Playlist(Yellow Bird UK for Netflix), Detective Marie Kallio (Banijay Finland for CMore), and Filmlance’s long-running detective drama Beck (Filmlance for CMore).

    Håkon Briseid, who was announced as CEO in September, took the decision to embark on an alternative role prior to officially joining the business.