One of Scandinavia’s most ambitious historical drama series, Royal Blood, has received a production commitment from the Scandi Alliance, which includes TV2 Norway, TV4 Sweden, and TV2 Denmark. The series, produced by Miso Film, has a confirmed budget of €15 million (approximately $17.8 million), marking a significant investment in Scandinavian television. Production is set to begin in early 2027, with Fremantle overseeing international distribution.
The announcement regarding the series was made by Alice Sommer, head of drama at TV2 Norway, during the Göteborg Film Festival’s TV Drama Vision conference on January 27. The project, which was originally unveiled at the previous year’s festival, emerged from a competitive selection process that reviewed 75 submissions. Royal Blood is set against the backdrop of the turbulent years between 1807 and 1814, as France’s Napoleon Bonaparte challenges the power dynamics of Europe.
The series explores the intricate power struggles among the royal houses of Scandinavia. According to the synopsis, a small group of ambitious individuals in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden must navigate loyalty, desire, identity, and ambition, where personal choices can have national repercussions.
At the helm of this production is Erik Richter Strand, who has directed episodes of acclaimed series such as The Crown and Occupied. He joins a talented team that includes creators Nanna Westh (known for “The Legacy” and “Cry Wolf”), Monica Boracco (“Mars & Venus”), and Katarina Launing (“Battle”). Both Westh and Richter Strand are serving as head writers, ensuring a cohesive narrative vision for the mini-series.
The production team for Royal Blood includes producers Kristin Ulseth and Vegard Stenberg Eriksen from Miso Film Norway, in collaboration with their counterparts in Denmark and Sweden. The executive production team features notable figures such as Peter Bose, Jonas Allen, Christian Rank, and Are Heidenstrøm, alongside Richter Strand.
Sommer expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “‘Royal Blood’ is a truly epic undertaking that explores how power, loyalty, and personal ambition collide at a pivotal moment in Scandinavian history.” She emphasized that the story is relevant to all three nations involved, highlighting a time when their destinies intertwined in significant ways.
The reputation of Miso Film for producing high-quality drama is well established, with previous successes including Tobias Lindholm’s “The Investigation” and Netflix’s first Danish original series, “The Rain.” Producer Kristin Ulseth remarked that “Royal Blood” examines the fundamental nature of power and alliances, revealing how human decisions can have monumental consequences.
Ulseth further noted, “Even though it’s set in the past, the story feels incredibly current, making it both a gripping drama and an unsettling mirror of our own times.” With the experienced hand of Erik Richter Strand guiding the project, the team aims to deliver a series that balances scale and intimacy, resonating with contemporary audiences while redefining Nordic historical drama.
As production gears up, Royal Blood stands poised to become a landmark series in Scandinavian television, capturing a defining moment in history that continues to shape the region’s identity today.
