Finland’s Gutsy Pictures Pacts with MTV, Germany’s Zeitsprung, Sweden’s Götafilm on Zaida Bergroth’s ‘Dangerous Woman’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Gutsy Pictures, led by Marika Makaroff, has secured a greenlight from MTV Finland and partnered with German Zeitsprung and Swedish Götafilm to produce the psycho‑thriller ‘Dangerous Woman’ directed by Zaida Bergroth. The six‑part series, already pre‑bought by Sweden’s TV4, follows a middle‑aged wom…
Finland’s Gutsy Pictures, a production company known for its value‑driven approach, has announced a new partnership that could reshape the Nordic television landscape. The company, headed by Marika Makaroff—who previously helmed the Moominvalley‑era hit L/Over—has secured a greenlight from MTV Finland for a fresh psycho‑thriller titled Dangerous Woman. In addition to the Finnish backing, the project now boasts co‑producers from Germany’s Zeitsprung and Sweden’s Götafilm, signalling a pan‑Nordic collaboration that could appeal to both regional and international audiences.
From Makaroff’s Vision to a Multi‑Country Production
Marika Makaroff, who has built a reputation for tackling difficult subjects with nuance, first conceived the story of Dangerous Woman a decade ago. The narrative centers on Laura, a woman at the peak of her career who, during an interior design fair, violently attacks a male visitor. The incident triggers a chain reaction: Laura is arrested, and deeper secrets about her past—an assumed identity and a link to an unsolved murder—begin to surface. The series unfolds across three timelines, challenging viewers to question whether the true danger lies with Laura or with the circumstances that pushed her to the brink.
Makaroff’s motivation for the story stems from her own experiences with abuse, which she openly discussed while promoting L/Over in 2025. She approaches Laura’s character with compassion, describing her as a woman who has spent a lifetime being belittled, dominated, and abused. The series, she says, asks whether violence or revenge can ever be justified and examines the consequences of becoming the very thing we hate.
Key Creative Talent and Production Partners
The project brings together a strong creative lineup. Zaida Bergroth, the director known for the crowd‑pleasing and Finnish Oscar entry Tove, will helm the six‑part series. Bergroth’s experience with character‑driven storytelling is expected to complement Makaroff’s vision.
Adding to the creative force is BAFTA‑winner Kevin Rundle, whose credits include Gangs of London, The Thaw, and Eastenders. Rundle has previously collaborated with Gutsy Pictures on the Canneseries‑selected L/Over, one of MTV’s biggest hits earlier this year. His involvement underscores the project’s ambition to blend dark humor, psychological thriller elements, and social drama into a compelling Nordic narrative.
On the production side, MTV Finland’s commissions and content development manager, Janne Vakio, highlighted the importance of partnerships. “At MTV, we believe great stories become even stronger through great partnerships,” Vakio said. “Dangerous Woman brings together a bold creative vision, top‑tier talent, and producers from three markets with a shared ambition: to create a distinctive Nordic drama that can resonate both at home and internationally.”
International Reach and Upcoming Production Timeline
The series is already pre‑bought by Sweden’s TV4, ensuring a solid launch platform in the country. It will also be showcased as one of eleven international premium dramas at the Mind the Gap co‑production pitch showcase, hosted by Serielizados Pro during Barcelona’s series festival from October 21‑24. This exposure could attract additional international distributors and broaden the series’ reach beyond the Nordic region.
Production is slated to begin later this year, with the expectation that the finished product will be ready for release in the following television season. The collaboration between Gutsy Pictures, Zeitsprung, and Götafilm demonstrates a growing trend of cross‑border co‑productions in Europe, where pooling resources and talent can help create content that meets the high standards of global streaming platforms.
What’s Next for Dangerous Woman?
As the project moves from pre‑production to filming, stakeholders are likely to focus on securing the right cast to bring Laura’s complex character to life. The series’ multi‑timeline structure will also require meticulous planning to ensure narrative coherence and emotional impact. Once the first episodes are completed, the series will enter a marketing phase that will aim to generate buzz across Nordic media outlets and on social platforms.
While the story’s core themes—violence, identity, and the blurred line between victim and perpetrator—are timeless, the series’ contemporary relevance is amplified by the current global conversation around gender‑based violence and the normalization of hatred. By addressing these issues through a gripping thriller format, Dangerous Woman could spark meaningful discussions among viewers and critics alike.
Why it matters
The partnership showcases how Nordic producers are leveraging cross‑border collaborations to create content with universal appeal, while tackling socially relevant themes that resonate with contemporary audiences.
Key points
- Gutsy Pictures secures greenlight from MTV Finland for "Dangerous Woman"
- Co‑production partners: Germany’s Zeitsprung and Sweden’s Götafilm
- Series follows Laura, a woman whose violent act reveals a hidden past tied to an unsolved murder
- Directed by Zaida Bergroth, with BAFTA‑winning writer Kevin Rundle
- Pre‑bought by Sweden’s TV4 and featured in Mind the Gap showcase
- Production to begin later this year, aiming for a 2025 release
Frequently asked questions
Who is the director of Dangerous Woman?
The series will be directed by Zaida Bergroth, known for the Finnish Oscar entry Tove.
Which production companies are involved?
Gutsy Pictures (Finland), Zeitsprung (Germany), and Götafilm (Sweden).
