Icelandic film and TV production company, Glassriver, has optioned the crime thriller book series Elma, from global bestselling author Eva Björg Ægisdóttir, for a series adaption.
The first book in the Elma series is The Creak on the Stairs which is being adapted by screenwriter Karen Björg Eyfjörð Þorsteinsdóttir.
The books have been translated into 23 languages, including English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Greek, Hungarian, Macedonian, Estonian, Hebrew, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Serbian and Amharic.
Set in the small port town of Akranes in Iceland, police detective Elma never thought she’d return to her hometown. But having fled a romantic affair that left her in pieces, Elma is assigned to her local police station. When a woman’s body is found lying at the foot of a lighthouse, terrible secrets could well resurface from the past. In this small Icelandic town with its oppressive atmosphere, could salvation come to Elma from her colleague Saevar?
The first book in the Elma series The Creak on the Stairs was published in French in 2021 and quickly became a bestseller in France. The second book, Les Filles Qui Mentent (Girls Who Lie), reached over 100,000 readers in France and garnered critical acclaim,.
The deal was negotiated with David Headley at D H H Literary Agency in association with The Artists Partnership.
Andri Ómarsson, co-owner and producer at Glassriver, commented: “We’re thrilled to be working with Eva and Karen on Elma. The project brings together Iceland’s striking landscapes with a gripping crime story that has already blown audiences away worldwide, from Iceland to France to the UK. This project is a testament to the strength of Icelandic storytelling, and we believe it will resonate with audiences both locally and internationally. Karen is a talented scriptwriter who will bring the story to life on screen. With a dedicated cast and creative team, we’re confident that Elma will captivate viewers and highlight the best of what Icelandic drama has to offer.”
Björg Ægisdóttir added: “I’m beyond thrilled that Glassriver is bringing Elma to the screen. I’ve been waiting for some time for the right opportunity and I am certain that with the talented and capable team at Glassriver Elma will be in great hands. Karen is one of Iceland’s most talented and productive script writers in recent years. After hearing her vision for the series I’m so excited to work on this project and see how it will turn out.”
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