Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Comments Off on Rubicon TV Strengthens Creativity with New Senior Hire
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.
Comments Off on Rubicon TV Uncovers The Role Of Norwegian Spies In The 1990s Yugoslavian War
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.
Comments Off on Banijay Nordic Appoints New CEO at Rubicon
Banijay Nordic today announces a new senior appointment at Norwegian scripted label Rubicon, with Håkon Briseid taking up the role of Chief Executive Officer.
Håkon Briseid joins Rubicon from Norway’s Monster, where he has held responsibility for the company’s scripted division for over a decade. During his time at Monster, Briseid has executive produced numerous hit dramas including The Half Brother, Nobel, Borderliner, Young&Promising, Pørni and upcoming Furia.
In his position at Rubicon, Håkon Briseid will report to Banijay Nordic’s CEO, Jacob Houlind, and the region’s Head of Scripted, Johannes Jensen. With a remit to further grow Rubicon’s output, he will work with creative leaders, Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin, on building the company’s line-up of critically-acclaimed, original content for both the Norwegian and international market. Briseid will take up the position early in 2022.
One of Norway’s leading drama production companies, Rubicon, is behind a slate of freshly created scripted productions, including 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, and a soon to be announced project for NRK. Eilif Skodvin and Anne Bjørnstad are also behing global success Lillyhammer, and The Councilman, which was also adapted for the Dutch market.
Håkon Briseid comments: “Sixteen years at Monster speaks for itself. It has been a fantastic ride and I am extremely proud of my colleagues and the upcoming slate. This is an opportunity I could not let go, as I have long-admired Rubicon’s slate of scripted series which shines a light on topics in the the local and international zeitgeist. Eilif and Anne have a distinctive voice, often with a satirical twist, allowing the audience to connect with characters in a unique way. I look forward to working with them and the rest of the talented team at Rubicon, as well as joining the unrivalled community of scripted producers at Banijay.”
Anne Bjørnstad and Eilif Skodvin, Creative Directors at Rubicon comment: “We’re delighted Håkon has decided to join Rubicon as our CEO. He has a deep understanding of the local and global market, and it’s brilliant to have a well-respected leader team up with us, especially with a second season of Beforeigners on the horizon, and as we enter the next phase of creating new projects for our eclectic slate.”
Jacob Houlind, CEO at Banijay Nordic says: “Nordic scripted content continues to take the world by storm, and we are incredibly proud of Rubicon’s productions. This appointment cements the company’s position as an industry trailbrazer.”
Johannes Jensen, Group Head of Scripted Banijay Nordic adds: “Håkon Briseid is a proven scripted leader and the ideal person to join Eilif and Anne as they continue to create premium, original programming for Norway and beyond.”
Banijay Nordic encompasses the region’s very best scripted labels, behind internationally-recognised drama and comedy. Joining Rubicon’s Beforeigners (HBO) and Nach (Discovery Nordic), are forthcoming credits such as Vinterviken/ JJ & E (Filmlance for Netflix and SVT), Ronja (Filmlance for Viaplay), A Class Apart (Jarowskij in co-production with Brommamamma, Film I Väst and Nent Group for Viaplay), Snow Angels (Yellow Bird for SVT), Young Wallander 2 and Spotify Untold (Yellow Bird UK for Netflix) and Detective Marie Kallio (Banijay Finland for CMore).