Paris-based About Premium Content has boarded international sales on the Finnish sports drama thriller “Guts” from hot creator Jemina Jokisalo, behind the feminist porn tale “Money Shot” which scooped the Student Award for best short form series at Canneseries 2024, and is currently running for Göteborg TV Drama Vision’s Nordic Series Script Award.
News of APC’s pick-up on “Guts” comes as Paris-based Federation Studios, which handles international sales with Nordisk Film on “Money Shot,” has inked first distribution deals on “Money Shot” for France (Canal+), Lithuania and Greece.
The eight-part series “Guts,” commissioned by Finnish pubcaster Yle, is produced by Just Republic, co-headed by producer Sasu Norhomaa and screenwriter Jokisalo.
Its story turns on cross-country skiing top athlete Anna who gets one more chance to become a world champion. An eternal underdog, she is determined to win at all costs and to beat her nemesis, natural-born skiing sensation Maria.
Toplining the cast as the two top female athletes waging a battle of the minds are Roosa Söderholm (“Baby Jane,” “They Have Escaped”), and Sannah Nedergård (“Codename-Annika”, “Sandhamm Murders”). Rounding out the cast are Reetta Ylä-Rautio (“Money Shot”), Kreeta Salminen (“Deadwind”), Antti Virmavirta (“Transport”), Edit Williams and Viktor Nyström.
Akseli Tuomivaara (“The Paradise”, “Next of Kin”) and Petra Lumioksa (“The Short Fuse”) are sharing the directing duties.
Yle Drama executive producer Suvi Mansnerus who provided notes to the creatives from an early stage, said ““Guts’ is a perfect fit for Yle, as it combines elements of mystery, drama and thriller in a way that resonates with a wide and also younger audience. The show’s focus on relatable human challenges, even within the competitive world of elite sports, aligns well with Yle’s commitment to deliver engaging and thought-provoking content. Additionally, Jokisalo’s unique storytelling style offers something fresh and distinctive, making it a standout series.”
About Premium Content’s joint-CEOs Emmanuelle Guilbart and Laurent Boissel added: “We are delighted to partner on this exciting series with the talented team at Just Republic, and again with Yle after our success with ‘Deadwind.’ We have been involved in “Guts” from an early stage, working hand in hand with Jemina with our development notes on the scripts in order to find the best balance between sports thriller and personal drama for this unique ‘Black Swan’ in the snow, which we are certain will resonate with large audiences around the globe.”
Jokisalo said she got the idea for the show after watching a play inspired by the life of legendary Finnish cross-country skiing Olympic medalist Aino-Kaisa Saarinen. “I was immediately captivated by her story, went on reading her biography which portrays the tough world of competitive athletes, and felt that would be a perfect setting for a compelling drama.”
As part of her research, the seasoned scriptwriter attended ski camps and interviewed a dozen top skiers and coaches. “I was intrigued by the power games and battle of the minds between competitors, their drive and willingness to sacrifice so much to succeed. Often women are viewed as soft, easy-going but that tough environment forces them to be selfish and ruthless. That fascinated me,” said Jokisalo.
Currently filming between Finland and Slovenia, the series is co-produced by Slovenia’s Staragara and Newen Studios’ Swedish banner Anagram Sweden, itself a majority shareholder in Just Republic. Co-financiers include the N12 Nordic public broadcasters’ alliance (Yle, DR, SVT, NRK, RÚV), Nordisk Film & TV Fond, Business Finland, Film i Skåne, the Finnish Film Foundation and the Slovenian Film Centre. Delivery is slated for early 2026.
Meanwhile Jokisalo is surfing on the success of the Elisa Viihde dramedy “Money Shot” for which she earned a nomination for the Nordic Script Series Award, to be handed out Jan. 28 at Göteborg Film Festival’s upcoming TV Drama Vision showcase.
“There’s a lot of competition among Nordic series. I’m very pleased to be selected for this prestigious award and that it has resonated with so many people. It shows that there is space on the market for daring and bold series.” Paris-based Federation Studios which handles international sales with Nordisk Film, has inked distribution deals so far on “Money Shot “with France (Canal+), Lithuania and Greece.
Jemina Jokisalo
Corbis via Getty Images
