ZDF boards Icelandic thriller series Vigilant
The six-part English-language series begins production in Iceland on 29 October.
Translated from Dutch by AI
Icelandic producer ACT4, ZDF and ZDF Studios have finalised the financing and co-production of Vigilant. The six-part English-language drama series starts filming in Iceland on 29 October. Kari Skogland’s involvement as director has not yet been confirmed.
Vigilant is produced by ACT4 and co-produced by ZDF and ZDF Studios. It has not yet been confirmed whether ZDF Studios co-developed the project and will handle worldwide distribution outside the United States. Zero Gravity’s role in the US market is also still uncertain.
According to the producers, the series follows a journalist who is approached by a self-proclaimed vigilante. The producers say this subsequently develops into a journalistic and societal conflict over where the line lies between justice and revenge. The premise therefore also forms the basis of the series’ international sales profile.
Kari Skogland’s reported directing credits for The Handmaid’s Tale have not yet been confirmed. There is still uncertainty over the full leading cast. It is confirmed, however, that the production will be in English, despite its Icelandic production base.
ZDF is working with ACT4 on Vigilant. The German broadcaster and its international sales subsidiary are positioning the series as a cross-border co-production, combining Icelandic production capacity with German financing and distribution.
Filming begins in Iceland on 29 October. A definitive transmission date, any involvement by a German broadcaster alongside ZDF and the scale of each partner’s budget contribution have not yet been confirmed.
The deal shows that European broadcasters continue to work with smaller national producers and English-language formats on international drama series. For producers, the combination of co-production, international distribution and a pre-arranged production start is particularly relevant.
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The production announcement comes directly from ZDF Studios and is independently confirmed. Non-public information has not been presented as fact.
- Confirmed ACT4, ZDF and ZDF Studios have given Vigilant the green light. — Confirmed by ZDF Studios.
- Confirmed The series has six episodes and is in English. — Mentioned in the official announcement.
- Confirmed Filming starts in Iceland on 29 October. — Mentioned by ZDF Studios and DWDL.
- Uncertain The budget contributions from each partner are not public. — Not mentioned in the sources consulted.