Keshet International (KI) has completed three multi-season sales deals for Pørni, the heart-warming Norwegian comedy–drama created by and starring Henriette Steenstrup. Pørni received its French premier on August 29 at Series Mania 2021 as part of its Panorama competition. 

Described as “a triumph” and “the best series Norway has seen since SKAM” respectively by TV2 and Rushprint, Pørni (6×30’) is Viaplay’s most-watched Norwegian Original drama to date, having smashed viewing records within 24 hours of its 2 May 2021 debut. Produced by Monster Scripted, two further 6×30’ seasons are on order by Viaplay, with season two set to premiere in 2022. 

KI has licensed season one of Pørni to WarnerMedia Latin America exclusively for HBO Max, with a commitment from the streaming platform to pick-up the subsequent second and third seasons.  The WarnerMedia-owned streaming platform recently launched in 39 territories in Latin America and the Caribbean.  

In Spain, the prestigious Spanish SVOD Filmin TV has also acquired an exclusive first window for all three 6×30’ seasons of Pørni, with Cosmo TV picking-up the second window rights for both seasons one and two of the bittersweet comedy-drama from KI. Discussions are in progress with broadcast partners elsewhere. 

Jaume Ripoll, Co-founder and Editorial Director of Filmin says, “Porni is one of the most thrilling and well-written series I have seen in a while. Spanish audiences will love Henriette Steenstrup’s supermom character. It is one of our highlight series for this Q4 2021.” 

Kelly Wright, KI’s SVP Distribution and New Business, says, “Henriette is well-loved by Spanish-speaking audiences globally thanks to the massive popularity of Ragnarok, further evidence of how more and more people around the world are enjoying dramas from foreign countries. This series is a personal favorite of mine – Porni is laugh-out-loud funny, so very touching and infinitely relatable.  Henriette is a truly talented all-rounder and I’m so happy to start the ball rolling on the show’s global sales with these wonderful deals and prestigious partners.” 

In Pørni, Henriette Steenstrup (Ragnarok, Lilyhammer) stars as a middle-aged single parent who always puts others first – even though she wants more from life for herself.  With a job in child protection services, three teenagers and an ageing father at home to take care of, and no time for any of them – life as a working parent is not much fun for Pernille, nicknamed Pørni. Moreover, she is grieving for her sister and has a hopeless ex-husband to contend with. How will she ever catch-up with her own love life?  Directed by Gunnar Vikene and Charlotte Blom, Pørni also stars Jon Ranes (Out Stealing Horses), Vivild Falk Berg, Gunnar Eiriksson (Twin), Johanna Mørck and Nils Ole Oftebro. 

Having been handpicked to receive its world premiere at Berlinale Selects earlier this year, Porni has also been selected for Series Mania’s 2021 Panorama competition. The series will also be screened at the Serial Killer TV Festival in the Czech Republic and Serielizados Fest in Barcelona this autumn.  

Following successful sales to multiple territories of BBC One’s The Trial of Christine Keeler and Seven Studios’ Secret Bridesmaids’ Business by KI, Porni is one of global distributor’s 2021 slate of high-profile international dramas: siting alongside Keshet 12’s Line in the Sand, Israel’s highest rating drama since 2015 which has recently been sold in France (Brut X), Germany (RTL), Belgium (BETV) and Australia (Paramount+); and Furia, Viaplay’s and ZDF’s eight-part edge-of-your-seat thriller which one of eight dramas selected by Series Mania for its 2021 international competition. KI plans to launch a further raft of international titles at its second ‘virtual’ Preview Event for buyers this October, including Glassriver’s six-part comedy drama Journey which sees its co-creators and co-stars take an emotional rollercoaster of a road trip around Iceland’s Westfjordlands.