EXCLUSIVE: Frank Lammers will lead Salé, a pirate drama set around the high seas of 17th century North Africa.
The actor, star of Netflix’s Undercover and Ferry, will portray Jan Janszoon, also known as Murat Reis, a real-life Dutch sea captain who converted to Islam and became one of the most powerful pirate admirals in the North African city of Salé.
Salé is from Film Partner Iceland and Sweden’s LittleBig Productions and set for a launch at MIPCOM via Green Lighting Studio, which Film Partner Iceland’s Anna G. Magnúsdóttir and Anders Granström run.
Magnúsdóttir, Granström Herbert Gehr and Margrét Örnólfsdóttir are the creators, with Margrét Örnólfsdóttir (Trapped, Prisoners) the writer. Magnúsdóttir from Film Partner Iceland, Gehr and AndersGranström from LittleBig are the producers.
The production is is planning two seasons of six episodes on the big-budget project, which is projected to cost €15M ($17.6M) per season, or €2.5M per episode. At that level, it will be one of the more ambitious European projects on sale in Cannes later this month.
Shooting is planned mainly on location in Iceland and Morocco, and will be primarily be in English, along with Icelandic, Arabic and Dutch Locations: Iceland and Morocco. The idea is to tap into Iceland’s tax incentive program, which is worth up to 35%. Distributor Green Lighting is hoping to capture around 30% of the budget in pre-sales, and delivery is planned for Q3 of 2027.
Set in 1627, Salé will follow an Icelandic mother and daughter captured by Barbary privateers and sold into slavery in Morocco. Separated in the markets of Salé, they must forge new identities to survive—one clinging to her Christian faith and past, the other embracing Islam and a dangerous new world. Their fates become entangled with Janszoon’s as his pirate empire faces threats from rivals and his own family.
Casting is underway for the mother, Gunnur, and daughter, Gríma/Laila. Announcements are expected in Q1 2026 and a wider casting process to assemble a diverse and accomplished ensemble has begun.
The ‘Turkish Raids’ of 1627 are a little-known chapter of European history in which Barbary pirates, led by Janszoon raided Iceland’s Westman Islands and coastal villages, capturing approximately 400 people and selling them into slavery in North Africa.
“The underlying historical events of Salé are a magnificent setting for a dramatic story, but at the end of the day it’s the characters who must breathe life into it and forge the emotional bond with the audience,” said head writer Margrét Örnólfsdóttir. “With Frank Lammers aboard, as the larger-than-life Jan Janzsoon, I feel thrilled and eager to set sail on this pirate ship.”
Anders Granström, producer at LittleBig Productions, said Lammers’ casting “elevates the entire project,” adding: “His Dutch heritage brings authenticity to Jan Janszoon, while his Netflix profile helps us reach the international audience this story deserves.”
“Jan Janszoon lived multiple lives—Dutch sailor, Muslim convert, Pirate admiral, Empire builder, but also father and husband across two continents,” said Lammers. “Playing him means exploring the extremes of human ambition and adaptability and the question: can you ever truly escape who you were?”
Lammers is best known internationally for his roles in Netflix crime thriller Undercover between 2019 and 2022, and the streamer’s 2021 feature film Ferry, which is one of the most-watched Dutch films on Netflix globally.
A spokesperson for Green Lighting Studio said his casting, significantly strengthens our sales position, particularly in Benelux and DACH territories,” adding: “We’re seeing strong early interest from premium broadcasters seeking the next Vikings or Last Kingdom, and Salé delivers that—with a unique historical period that hasn’t been explored on screen.”
Film Partner Iceland is a full-service production company known for the likes of The Mountain (Fjallið), rom-com Pity the Lovers (Vesalings Elskendur) and Home (Hemma). LittleBig worked with Film Partner Iceland on those three films, and also counts horror-comedy American Burger and comedy-drama Gringa on its credits.
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