From psychological thrillers to emotional family drama: New8 unveils Slate 3 at Series Mania

Logo New8
Copyright: ZDF/NRK

New8, the European drama collaboration of eight public service broadcasters, presented eight new scripted projects today during Series Mania in Lille. Following the announcement earlier this year that the partners are extending their successful co‑production model, the new slate marks three years of close collaboration between SVT (Sweden), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), RÚV (Iceland), NRK (Norway), VRT (Flanders/Belgium), NPO (the Netherlands) and ZDF (Germany). The unveiling highlights the strength of the collaboration and its continued commitment to sustainably co‑producing high‑quality drama rooted in shared public service values. That ambition is reflected in the breadth and diversity of the titles presented, all of which aim to nurture creative excellence while offering producers and creatives a stable and reliable financing framework.

Marianne Furevold, Head of Drama at NRK, says: "With the launch of Slate 3, we are doubling down on our commitment to stories that serve as a cornerstone for democracy. In a fragmented world, high-quality drama has the unique power to offer shared perspectives and spark the reflections we need to understand one another. After all, there is something wonderfully human about knowing that while we may speak different languages, we are all holding our breath at the very same plot twist. Through New8, we are not just co-producing content; we are reinforcing the human bonds that unite us across borders, ensuring that public service media remains a vital force for unity and insight."

Sebastiaan Leeman, Head of Drama at NPO, adds: "New8 has proven to be a valuable addition to the European drama landscape, providing a wide range of critically acclaimed high quality drama for European viewers. Our partnership is truly unique and demonstrates the power of European broadcasters joining forces. We look forward to bringing the series of slate 3 to our audiences, with even more high end productions and stories that address culturally and socially relevant themes. All partners have renewed their commitment to New8 for three more years, and we will further strengthen our collaboration going forward."

New8 Slate 3 – The new projects:

Harvest (DR, Denmark, 7 x 45 minutes)
Produced by DR Drama, original series written and directed by Martin Zandvliet.
In a modern Danish farming family, the patriarch Gorm unexpectedly chooses to pass the family farm to his youngest daughter, Astrid. This causes a rift within the family, particularly angering the eldest son, Erik, who feels deeply betrayed. Can the family overcome their internal strife and unite to ensure the farm's prosperity and the future of the family?

Hunters (VRT, Belgium, 6 x 52 minutes)
Produced by Versus, Los Morros and Caviar, in coproduction with RTBF. Written by Mathieu Mortelmans, Domenica La Porta and Chloe Devicq, directed by Mathieu Mortelmans.
"Hunters" tells the story of an elite special intervention unit as a wave of terror sweeps across Europe, pushing them to their absolute limits. As pressure mounts, their confidence and certainties start to falter. When a psychologist steps in to help, one question rises to the surface: is vulnerability a weakness, or a hidden strength?

PUSH, Season 2 (ZDF, Germany, 10 x 30 minutes)
Produced by Bantry Bay Productions, created by Luisa Hardenberg, written by Luisa Hardenberg, Anne Katharina Roicke and Johannes Rothe, directed by Pia Hellenthal and Joya Thome.
The second season of "PUSH" once again tells stories of babies, overwhelmed parents, and the life-changing experience of giving birth. And of three midwives: Nalan struggles with her unfulfilled desire for a child and with her relationship. Anna navigates single life and menopause. And Greta wrestles with the challenges of her dream job and her feelings for Dr. Mohn.

Red Light Empire (NPO, The Netherlands, 6 x 52 minutes)
Produced by Lemming Film, in coproduction with VPRO, written by Michael Leendertse and Sarah Offringa, directed by Tim Oliehoek.
In a neighborhood of Amsterdam that the authorities cannot get under control, a Jewish war orphan seizes his chance to build an empire of drugs, sex, and gambling that will not only shape the city’s global reputation but also define the modern Netherlands.

Recipes For a Nervous Breakdown (ZDF, Germany, 8 x 30 minutes)
Produced by Deadpan Pictures, in coproduction with Studio Zentral, written by Sophie White, directed by Cathy Brady & Rachel Carey.
Chef Claire and her small team are just about to get their cooking channel on social media off the ground when Claire takes an ecstasy pill at a party and suffers a severe psychotic episode.

Shadow of Guilt (SVT, Sweden, 6 x 45 minutes)
Produced by Creative Society, written by Jimmy Nivrén Olsson and Jessika Jankert, standalone series based on Camilla Läckbergs Fjällbacka-universe, directed by Lisa Farzaneh.
When the remains of Erica's childhood best friend, who disappeared more than twenty years ago, are discovered, the cold case is reopened. Erica's husband Patrik leads the investigation, but Erica's distrust of the original police work, conducted by his mentor Gösta, creates deep fractures in their marriage. Driven by long-buried guilt, Erica launches her own parallel search for the truth, risking the exposure of painful secrets, shattered relationships, and the blurring of truth and obsession. This is not just a murder mystery – it is a story about guilt, memory, and the lifelong consequences of silence.

Still Breathing (NRK, Norway, 8 x 42 minutes)
Produced by Rubicon Television, created and written by Karianne Lund, directed by Eirik Svensson.
"Still Breathing" tells the story of Petra (26), fresh out of medical school, who has just begun her internship at a mid-sized Norwegian hospital. Together with her fellow interns Joakim, Sam, and Kissy, she is thrown into a job with long days, vulnerable patients, and complex medical cases. Petra strives to be the best doctor for her patients, but as demands and expectations from society and hospital management clash, determining what’s "best" grows increasingly challenging.

The Crashing (YLE, Finland, 6 x 50 minutes)
Produced by Bufo, written and directed by Anna Äärelä.
"The Crashing" (Kolari) is a gripping drama that begins with a car accident under mysterious circumstances. First it seems that none of the survivors, who are strangers to each other, know how the crash happened. As the mystery deepens, so do their connections. Strangers bound by trauma form unexpected friendships, discover empathy in one another, and struggle to find a way forward during the most difficult weeks of their lives.

Contact
For questions regarding New8, please contact Lisa Miller at miller.l@zdf.de.
You can contact ZDF-Kommunikation at pressedesk@zdf.de.

Further information
New8: ZDF stellt zusammen mit Partnern in Lille neue Serienprojekte vor: ZDF-Presseportal

Mainz/Lille, March 25th, 2026 
ZDF-Kommunikation  
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