EXCLUSIVE: An Icelandic-Romanian comedy-drama series is set to launch internationally, as European countries continue to combine to get production rolling.
Hot Stuff comes from Reykjavik-based Glassriver and Romania‘s Idea Film and is for Icelandic broadcaster SÝN’s Channel 2 (Stöð 2). Paris-based Oble has taken international distribution rights and will begin shopping the show.
The co-production has that distinctly European co-production flavor that underpinned Series Mania a few weeks back. With U.S. money seemingly gone from Euro production, countries are assemblies in intriguing ways to get productions lensing, making an Icelandic-Romania co-pro much more likely. Last month, we revealed details on Series Mania series Torna a Surriento, an Finnish-Italian drama series that Glassriver is working on with Finland’s Whatevergroup Italy’s Viola Films and Norway’s Rein Film.
Magnús Leifsson (Dovetail) is the director on Hot Staff, and Ragnar Bragson is the creator and co-writer. Known for The Shift TV series trilogy, which was remade in Germany and the U.S., and drama series The Prisoners, his new show is a comedy-drama set in 1979 as a group of Icelanders go on holiday in Portugal.
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Per the logline, the show blends “humor, romance, and sharp social commentary” to tackle themes of “gender inequality, consumerism, and xenophobia.”
“Through playful ridicule and authentic storytelling, it explores the pitfalls of insular thinking, toxic masculinity, and performative activism,” adds the logline. “With a unique blend of morality-driven drama and comedy, Hot Stuff offers fresh perspectives that appeal not just to traditional genre fans but to anyone looking for engaging and thought-provoking entertainment.”
Snjolaug Ludviksdottir is the other writer, who is currently adapting Icelandic novel Konur (Women) for the screen and just finished writing the second season of crime series Stella Blomquist.
Kristjana Thors Brynjolfsdottir, Director of Media at SÝN, said: “Hot Stuff is exactly the kind of bold, character-driven storytelling we champion at SÝN. It’s smart, stylish, and socially relevant – blending humour with razor-sharp insight in a way that feels both nostalgic and strikingly modern. We’re thrilled to bring this ambitious series to Icelandic audiences and proud to support original stories with global resonance.”
“We are taking it back to the 70s,” said Andri Ómarsson, co-owner and producer at Glassriver. “We are excited to introduce Hot Stuff – a unique story that crosses into several genres and topics, set against the backdrop of sunny Portugal in 1979. With our partners and friends at IDEA Film, we are looking forward to this series hotting up.”
Glassriver recently unveiled Icelandic-Finnish climate disaster miniseries Avalanche and the recently optioned titles Elma from Eva Björg Ægisdottir and Reykjavik Noir from author Lilja Sigurdardottir, which are being adapted for TV.
It is currently working up Cold Haven, an eight-episode crime thriller in co-production with Portugal’s SPi; and has previously produced international drama As Long as We Live, medical drama Fractures and Black Sands, which world premiered at Berlinale and is headed for more seasons.
Idea Film — led by CEO Ionut Ionescu and production chief Andreea Apetre — has worked on several Romanian-American co-productions, and is behind shows such as Sabina: Tortured for Christ – The Nazi Years, Between Borders and Dictators’ Hideouts. It also provides production services for the likes of Lego Ninjago and Asterix.
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