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Reinvent joins forces with new true crime drama ’Escaping Bolivia’
REinvent has just boarded the highly anticipated Norwegian true crime series ‘Escaping Bolivia’, which is currently filming in Cape Town, South Africa. This exciting production originally kicked off its shoot in Oslo.
A stellar production team
Fenomen, known for Rod Knock, and 4 ½, producers of Out Stealing Horses, are bringing this gripping drama to life for TV2 Norway. The series is a collaborative effort with Germany’s public broadcaster NDR and the Oslo Film Fund.
Behind the camera magic
Anna Gutto, celebrated for her work on Lionsgate’s Paradise Highway featuring Juliette Binoche, serves as the concept director. Gutto is joined by creator and episodic writer Emily Beck, whose credits include the popular Netflix series Royalteen.
A star-studded cast
Leading the six-part series are notable actors such as:
- Jakob Oftebro (Agent Hamilton)
- Ella Øverbye, known for her role in Dreams by Dag Johan Haugerud
- Josephine Tetlie
- Lisa Hovden
- Danish actor Joachim Fjelstrup (The Girl With the Needle)
Inspired by a shocking true story
The narrative of ‘Escaping Bolivia’ is rooted in a notorious 2008 drug case involving three Norwegian girls aged 17, 18, and 21, who were caught with 22kg of cocaine in Bolivia. They were imprisoned, and while two of the girls managed to escape—with one even having a child and being assisted by a journalist—the third was left behind to face one of the world’s most dangerous female prisons.
What awaits the viewers
The series follows characters Ida, her sister-in-law Michelle, and Ida’s lover Cecilie, as they are apprehended at a Bolivian airport with cocaine-laden suitcases. Sentenced to a perilous prison, Ida soon realizes she cannot trust her friends or the Norwegian authorities’ ability to rescue her. Thus begins her daring plan to escape.
Concept and motivations
As Beck expressed, “After eight years of development and research, it feels great that we’re finally filming! Escaping Bolivia will undoubtedly touch, engage, and challenge viewers.” The series focuses on intense themes like friendship, betrayal, and love, as well as the unique struggles of motherhood and the lengths one would go to protect loved ones. At its core, it’s also about the harrowing choices one must make to survive behind bars and the inevitable growth that comes with such a harsh reality.
A global outlook
REinvent’s sales and marketing director commented, “We are very proud to have picked up Escaping Bolivia. It is an amazing story that needs to be told, and we are confident the series will resonate with audiences around the world.” The series is planned for release in late 2025.
What’s next on REinvent’s slate?
Beyond this thrilling true crime story, REinvent has an impressive lineup including:
Finnish thriller drama: ‘L/over’
The first live-action fiction show from Marika Makaroff, the creative mind behind the success of Moominvalley, stars Krista Kosonen and Jani Volanen. Set to premiere in Finland on MTV3/C More in 2025, this series promises another riveting adventure for thriller fans.
Icelandic high-end shows
- ‘Reykjavik 112’: A modern take on the crime thriller genre, inspired by best-selling novelist Yrsa Sigurdardóttir.
- ‘Vigdis’: A biopic about Iceland’s former president, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, brought to life by the talented Vesturport team, known for Blackport.
Continuing the conversation
Can’t wait for ‘Escaping Bolivia’? Want to dive deeper into the world of Nordic true crime? Share your thoughts and follow us for more updates on exclusive series and captivating dramas. Your next binge-watch might be just around the corner!
