Baltic TV Series Shine at Berlinale Series Market

With Baltic shows growing bigger and bolder and producers looking for more international collaborators, local creators reach for original stories and established IPs, delivering period dramas and timely satires. However, crime shows, whether contemporary – like this year’s Berlinale Series Market Selects “My Dear Mother” – or set in the 19th century, still take the crown. Or at least the top hat.

“Melchior the Apothecary”

Creators: Indrek Hargla, Elmo Nüganen, Olle Mirme

Director: Elmo Nüganen

Based on popular crime series books by Indrek Hargla – about an apothecary who heals the sick and solves mysteries – the show is set in medieval Tallinn. Shot as a trilogy, which was a box-office success in Estonia, it’s sold by Global Screen as a miniseries. It features Märten Metsaviir and Maarja Johanna Mägi, who was chosen as one of Berlinale’s Shooting Stars and will be next seen in the Finnish remake of “Cold Feet.” “One reason the series is so captivating to watch is the world it creates: a medieval fairy tale setting that you can immerse yourself in,” says Mägi. “I believe [Baltic] shows are getting bigger and better: larger budgets make it possible to create something more creative. Things are definitely happening. It’s wonderful to be in the Shooting Stars program with Latvian and Lithuanian actors, and when we share our experiences, there are many similarities.” Overseen by Taska Film, Nafta Films, Apollo Film Productions and HansaFilm.

“My Dear Mother”

Creators: Raoul Suvi, Toomas Ili, Tiina Lokk

Director: Doris Tääker

This new Estonian-Ukrainian six-episode series – produced by Zolba Productions in collaboration with Ukrainian partners Film.UA Group and Elisa Estonia – has been selected for Berlinale Series Market Selects. It goes into a young woman’s troubled past, suddenly brought to light after her mother is murdered and she is accused of the crime. Raoul Suvi writes, while Doris Tislar (“Estonia”), Elina Reinold, and Saara Pius star. The series will have its local premiere at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. “We chose to go with a very realistic style and show violent scenes from the perspective of the main character, who is the victim,” points out Tääker, who previously worked on “Alo” and Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet”. “These scenes don’t only show the violent act itself, but also the aftermath as I feel that the victim’s traumatic experience continues long after the incident has happened.”

“Soviet Jeans”

Creators: Staņislavs Tokolovs, Teodora Markova, Waldemar Kalinowski

Directors: Staņislavs Tokolovs, Juris Kursietis

Set in 1970s Latvia, this series tells the unique story of a rock and roll fan who sets up an illegal jeans factory – in a psychiatric hospital. Awarded at Series Mania, it’s sold by Beta Film. “Soviet Jeans’ is a great example of how Baltic shows are making their mark on the international market. As CEE and the Baltics continue to grow as creative hubs, largely driven by major streamers investing in original productions in the region, we’re seeing a strong appetite for stories that explore local history and social issues,” notes Beta’s Veronika Kovacova. “What sets Baltic shows apart is their ability to present stories that feel both culturally specific and universally relevant. ‘Soviet Jeans’ offers a rare perspective, taking viewers back to 1979 and shedding light on life behind the Iron Curtain. It’s rooted in real events, providing an entertaining and thought-provoking lens on untold stories.”

“The Last Divorce of Communism”

Creators: Staņislavs Tokolovs, Teodora Markova

Directors: Staņislavs Tokolovs, Teodora Markova, Linda Olte

A second series from the team behind “Soviet Jeans,” this time produced by Aija Bērziņa for Tasse Films. The show introduces the audience to Inese and Miķelis: a couple who, in 1988, resort to a ‌fake divorce to maintain their family apartment in Soviet Riga. The problem is, they still love each other. The series will be released at the end of 2026. Markova says: “I’ve always believed that storytelling is much more about portraits than landscapes. The setting can provide something unusual, exciting or weird, but at the heart of any great narrative are compelling, well-drawn characters. Local stories are powerful when they are told with honesty, self-irony, and a sense of creative freedom. Too often, regional storytelling becomes limited by an overly serious or stiff perspective, making it hard to engage wider audiences. Our goal in every story is to question in a way popular opinions and established beliefs.”

“Troll Farm”

Creators: Domantė Urmonaitė, Martynas Mendelis, Gabija Siurbytė, Ernestas Jankauskas

Director: Ernestas Jankauskas

Gabija Siurbytė (who also co-creates) stars as a high-heeled corporate powerhouse, Ana, who, after being wrongly fired, focuses on salvaging her reputation – and on revenge. The task won’t be easy, as all she has at her disposal is a barn. Produced and sold by Dansu Films – which recently collaborated with Netflix’s Swedish crime series “Clark” during its shoot in Lithuania – “Troll Farm” was broadcast on Lithuanian National Television and Radio and TeliaPlay+. Selected for Berlinale Series Market in 2023 and awarded at TV Beats Co-Financing Market in Tallinn.

“Von Fock” (aka “Detective Von Fock”)

Creators: Leana Jalukse and Lilian von Keudell

Director: Arun Tamm

Distributed by ZDF Studios, this period drama is “the first show ever to be co-produced at a high scale together with Italy, Latvia, and Germany,” says Estonia director Arun Tamm. It’s also the first Estonian TV series to receive funding from Creative Europe Media and Eurimages. A whodunnit set in the early 19th century, it follows heir Paul von Fock (Priit Pius) who might be shy with women, but he goes all the way when solving crimes. Based on the books by Ain Kütt, it was created by Leana Jalukse and Lilian von Keudell. Made by Zolba Productions, Latvia’s Berghein Production and Nafta, Italy’s Movie.Mento, Albolina Film and Eesti Telefilm. “It was hugely the relentless courage of the producers Toomas Luhats, Jevgeni Supin, and Helen Lõhmus to get the funding together,” adds Tamm. “They took really big risks and I’m so happy that in the end, it all paid off.”