Having launched as a new initiative in 2021, coupled with Sunday being International Women’s Day, Laurence Herszberg, Founder and General Director of Series Mania, has announced the recipient for its Sixth Annual “Woman in Series Award.” This award is given to a remarkable woman from the audiovisual industry to honor her vision and leadership. The recipient this year is Marianne Furevold-Boland, Head of Drama at NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation). Ms. Furevold-Boland will be presented with her award on the evening of March 24th during the Series Mania Awards Ceremony at the Théâtre Barrière.
In addition, she will participate in the panel “Commissioners Unplugged Club: A Straight Talk Among the Greenlighters” on March 25th, as well as a creative talk panel set for March 26th entitled New Producers: Who’s Taking a Chance on Them? in collaboration with SPI & USPA.
Past winners of the “Woman in Series Award” include: 2021: Christina Sulebakk, GM of HBO Max EMEA; 2022: Mo Abudu, CEO, The EbonyLife Group; 2023: Nicola Shindler, Executive Producer and Chief Executive of Quay Street Productions; 2024: Francesca Orsi, EVP, HBO Programming, Head of HBO Drama Series and Films; and 2025: Isabelle Degeorges, President of Gaumont Télévision.
“Among Marianne’s professional achievements, her visionary and bold work with the teen drama series SKAM has revolutionized YA fiction and captivated audiences across Europe. Equally remarkable is her commitment to public service. She has consistently proposed innovative fiction formats, told powerful and compelling stories, and served as a driving force in European international collaboration during a time when public audiovisual media faces significant challenges. Her passion, determination, and leadership inspire everyone around her. We are thrilled to be honoring her this year,” commented Herszberg.
Added Furevold-Boland, “I am deeply honored, proud, and incredibly humbled to receive the ‘Woman in Series Award’. While my name is on this award, I am far from alone in this achievement. This recognition belongs to the exceptional talents and hardworking storytellers I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with across every stage of production. Together, we have ventured into unique projects with a shared ambition: to create stories that truly resonate, moving both hearts and minds. I am immensely grateful to my colleagues at NRK and our international partners for proving, time and again, that when we work as a team, we can reach audiences far beyond our borders.”
As Head of Drama at NRK (the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation), Furevold-Boland leads a talented team in developing and producing a diverse range of scripted stories. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in several of NRK’s most acclaimed series, including Powerplay, State of Happiness, Exit, So Long Marianne, A Better Man, and Requiem for Selina.
She gained international recognition as the producer of the hit series SKAM, later overseeing its global journey as it was adapted in more than eight countries.
With a background spanning roles as a producer, script consultant, writer, and presenter, Furevold-Boland brings an understanding of both the craft of storytelling and the importance of audience connection. She holds a degree in acting from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts – UK (LIPA).
