Iceland’s leading film and TV production company Glassriver has announced its new original crime thriller series Manifesto. The series is currently in development and has been picked up by Icelandic broadcaster Síminn. Wild Bunch TV has acquired the global rights to the series, which has been selected for the TV Drama Vision at Göteborg Film Festival.
Manifesto is a six-episode series based on true events exploring the aftermath of a terrorist attack in Iceland – a peaceful nation shattered by a horrific act of violence. Harpa, an aspiring police officer, must prove her friends’ innocence after Iceland’s first-ever terrorist attack is carried out by Matti, a member of her friend group. The stakes get even higher as his manifesto warns of a second, even deadlier attack on the horizon.
Manifesto is a crime thriller with a unique focus on the lives caught in between – not just the perpetrators or the victims – but the friends and family left to grapple with betrayal, suspicion, and guilt. We follow a tight-knit group of childhood friends splintered by fear and doubt, and a young woman fighting her own demons as she tries to solve a case that could save lives.
The series is written by Iceland-based journalist and screenwriter Urður Egilsdóttir. Having been present in the courtroom covering what has come to be known as “The Terrorism Case”, Egilsdóttir was compelled to tell this story which is intertwined with themes of extremism, racism, misogyny and mental health.
Manifesto joins Glassriver’s extensive scripted slate including the recently optioned titles Elma from Eva Björg Ægisdottir and Reykjavik Noir from author Lilja Sigurdardottir which are being adapted for screen. Glassriver has also wrapped production on its coproduction with Portugal’s SPi titled Cold Haven, and has had season 2 of Black Sands release at the end of 2024.
Andri Ómarsson, Executive Producer and CEO of Glassriver says “Manifesto represents a bold and thought-provoking addition to the crime thriller genre, tackling urgent and complex societal issues that every nation can relate to through a gripping narrative. We are proud to partner with Síminn and Wild Bunch TV to bring this uniquely Icelandic story to audiences both locally and globally. With its rich character-driven storytelling and themes that resonate far beyond Iceland, and with Urður’s skill and uniquely first-person experiences, we believe Manifesto will leave a lasting impact in the drama scene.”
Gregory Strouk, Director at Wild Bunch TV says “the team is thrilled to join and work with the experienced company that is Glassriver and with Síminn on this project. Manifesto is a gripping crime thriller, around very timely and universal themes, doubled with a brilliant portrait of a generation through this group of young adults confronted with a horrifying truth.”
