Iceland’s leading film and TV production company Glassriver has announced its new original series Avalanche, a co-production with Finland’s Whatevergroup, starts production next week. Dynamic Television has picked up global distribution rights and Icelandic broadcaster Síminn has commissioned the series.
Elin Hall, three-time nominee for Actress of the Year Eddan (The Icelandic Film Academy Awards) and winner of the Silver Hugo (best Female performance) at the Chicago International Film awards 2024 has been cast as the lead. This year she was also one of 10 European Shooting Stars at Berlinale featuring When the Light Breaks.
Thordur Palsson (The Damned, The Valhalla Murders) is creator and director of the series. Guðgeir Arngrímsson is producing for Glassriver.
The series co-creator and head writer is Óttar Nordfjord (The Valhalla Murders, RVK 112, The Darkness). Margrét Örnólfsdóttir (Prisoners, The Flatey Enigma, The Press) is also attached as a writer.
Dynamic Television, an independent production and distribution company, is known for Ginny & Georgia, Apple TV+’s Drops of God, and Harry Wild for Acorn TV. Dynamic is also the co-producer and international distributor of the hit Icelandic series Trapped, which gained international acclaim.
Limited series Avalanche is a climate disaster miniseries set in Iceland. We follow Freyja, a meteorologist who returns to her hometown to warn the villagers of an imminent catastrophe. Grounded and spectacular, the series explores the tension between scientific reality and community disbelief, the struggle for acceptance and change, and the profound impact of natural disasters on human lives and relationships.
Casting striking similarities between fictional tragic events and today’s climate crisis, the series highlights the urgency of heeding scientific warnings. When the perfect storm hits, will the protection we built be strong enough or will we face unprecedented disaster?
Avalanche 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.
Producer Guðgeir Arngrímsson, Glassriver says “Avalanche is a pointed look at a very real and pressing threat to Nordic territories, and a mirror in the face of global climate change. The series combines the universal themes of environmental disaster and personal redemption. With Whatevergroup we have a true Nordic copro and we are looking forward to providing the international market, via DYNAMIC, with an internationally relevant story.”
Antti Kaarlela, CEO at Whatevergroup says “At Whatevergroup, we are committed to telling bold stories that resonate globally. Partnering with Glassriver on ‘Avalanche’ allows us to explore pressing themes like climate change through compelling narratives. This collaboration exemplifies our dedication to producing content that not only entertains but also sparks meaningful conversations.”
Director Thordur Palsson says “Bringing Avalanche to life is both a creative challenge and a responsibility. Through storytelling, we aim to explore the human cost of natural disasters while highlighting the realities of a changing climate. I’m proud to collaborate with such an exceptional international team to tell this powerful and timely story.”
