Crave and NRK announced today the primary cast of their hotly-anticipated, Original series SO LONG, MARIANNE, which tells the legendary love story of Canadian singer and poet Leonard Cohen, and his muse Marianne Ihlen. Leading the cast are Alex Wolff (The Line, Hereditary, Jumanji) as Leonard, with Thea Sofie Loch Næss (The Last Kingdom, Delete Me, A Storm For Christmas) playing Marianne. Joining them are Anna Torv (The Newsreader, The Last of Us, Mindhunter) as Charmian Clift and Noah Taylor (Preacher, Peaky Blinders, Game of Thrones) as George Johnston.
Principal photography began on March 24, for the series, which is shooting in multiple locations including the Greek island of Hydra, Oslo in Norway, and Montréal in Canada.
Set in some of the most beautiful places during the 1960s, SO LONG, MARIANNE is an intimate tale of two, lonely people falling in love, during a period of their life when they are trying to figure out who they are and their place in the world, while one is becoming one of the most famous singers of all time.
Their story crosses the world, travelling from Oslo to Hydra; New York and Montreal, with the majority of the series set on the picturesque Greek island of Hydra where they lived during the 1960s. There, they joined legendary Australian novelists Charmian Clift and her husband George Johnston, the matriarch and patriarch of a bohemian group of writers, artists, poets and outcasts who were exploring a new world of free love, drugs, and artistic freedom, but also experiencing the rivalries and jealousy that accompanied their intense, interwoven lives.
SO LONG, MARIANNE is a beautiful, poetic, and searing tribute to life, shedding light on the events that inspired one of the most iconic songs of many generations.
“It feels like the way the world is right now, a series that celebrates life and love, with a core about finding your way in life, is needed more than ever,” said Øystein Karlsen, series creator, Redpoint Productions.
“Øystein Karlsen has shown in his previous projects that he can create original dramas that are both exciting and emotional, said Marianne Furevold-Boland, Head of Drama, NRK. “We believe this project has the potential to become a timeless drama with a universal appeal – it is about life and the pursuit of happiness.”
“As Crave continues to expand its output of original content in both English and French, we’re excited to be part of this unique co-production opportunity and lean into the strengths of our international partners to deliver stories that translate, and resonate around the world,” said Justin Stockman, Vice-President, English Content Development & Programming at Bell Media.
James Durie, Head of Scripted, Cineflix Rights added: “SO LONG, MARIANNE must be one of the most iconic love stories of the last century. The events it depicts, the beautiful locations in which it’s set and with an incredible cast, makes it a drama that will enthrall audiences around the world, whether they know the story already or are coming to it fresh.”
Developed by Ingeborg Klyve (Exit) and Tony Wood (Irvine Welsh’s Crime, Marcella, Whitstable Pearl) and written for the screen by Øystein Karlsen (Dag, Lilyhammer, Exit, Whitstable Pearl), who is also amongst the Directors, and Jo Nesbø (Harry Hole, Kingdom, Headhunters), SO LONG, MARIANNE is co-produced by Letters From Leonard, Tanweer Productions, and Connect3. Directors are Øystein Karlsen. The Executive Producers are Ales Ree for NRK, Richard Tulk-Hart and Tony Wood, Vegard Stenberg Eriksen and Ingeborg Klyve for Redpoint Productions, Dionyssis Samiotis and Nancy Kokolaki for Tanweer Productions, and André Barro and Pablo Salzman for Connect3. Cineflix Rights is distributing the series globally.
