HBO Max hires AJ Annila to direct first Finnish original TV series

Versatile Finnish director AJ Annila (“Sauna,” “Shadow Lines,” “Peacemaker”) joins the helm of the horror series titled “ID,” marking HBO Max’s first time joining the show. Finnish premium television.

Set in the world of art fraud, a six-part series by seasoned writers Aleksi Bardy (“Tom of Finland”, “Moscow Noir”) and Mia Ylönen (“Bad Apples”, “Moscow Noir”) co-creator for Finnish production powerhouse Helsinki-Filmi, a subsidiary of Finland’s Aurora Studios.

“ID” revolves around art fraud investigator Emma, ​​who secretly infiltrates a Stockholm auction house to investigate the company’s connection to a notorious money launderer named Blanko. Under her new identity, the quiet Emma transforms into a different person, a party animal and a hot-tempered Annika in society. Her personality change triggers long-hidden memories to come back to life, forcing Emma to confront her past.

Annila, who has previously contributed to HBO Nordic’s short series “At Home” (Eristyksissä), said he is thrilled to be taking part in what he calls a “highly entertaining thrilling ride” as well as ” character studies of dual identities”.

“AJ Annila is a world-class director, and after directing the international spy thriller ‘Shadow Lines’,” says Bardy, “he was the natural choice for a series with visual ambitions,” says Bardy. high images and a suspenseful story that unfolds in the direction of the character”.

Christian Wikander, editor in charge of HBO Max and vice president of original programming, is also looking forward to working with Annila. “The unique combination of action, emotion and artistry is sure to provide a fascinating starting point for a director and we are delighted to hear that AJ Annila will approach story themes such as how,” he said.

Wikander is executive producing, with Steve Matthews, HBO Europe executive VP of production, developing the TV series.

Produced by Eerika Vermilä, the series will move into production this year. It will launch exclusively on WarnerMedia’s direct-to-consumer streaming service.

Helsinki-Filmi produced last year’s Finnish Oscar-winning and Göteborg Film Festival opening film “Tove” by Zaida Bergroth.

HBO Max, which launched in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Spain, and Andorra last fall is expected to add 15 countries to its European launch on March 8, bringing the total The number of films across Europe and America increased to 61 territories. The service will launch later this year in Iceland, out of six new territories.