From ‘Occupied,’ ‘Beforeigners’ Makers, Frontline Medical Drama ‘Still Breathing,’ Teaming Rubicon, NRK, New8 Pubcasters, Brought to Market by DR Sales (EXCLUSIVE)  

Denmark’s DR Sales is bringing to market “Still Breathing,” the latest medical drama from Scandinavia, teaming “Occupied” writer Karianne Lund, “Safe House” director Erik Svensson and “Beforeigners” producer Rubicon TV.

Described by DR Sales as “raw” and “gripping” and by Banijay Entertainment as “emotionally charged,” the NRK series is set at a struggling Norwegian hospital where four young doctors face the impossible moral dilemmas of a health system stretched beyond the limit. 

Produced by Rubicon TV, part of Banijay Nordic and also behind Netflix hit “Billionaire Island,” “Still Breathing” was commissioned by Norway’s NRK, one of Europe’s top pubcasters which is a reliable source of main competition highlights at top European TV festivals such as Series Mania and Canneseries.  

“‘Still Breathing’ embodies the socially conscious Nordic storytelling DR Sales stands for, and our team is excited to work with Rubicon TV to champion it—from the first festival screening to its global rollout— so its urgency and heart reach audiences everywhere,” enthused DR Sales director Pernille Munk Skydsgaard.   

Currently casting, with two seasons greenlit. “Still Breathing” is written by Lund, whose credits also include “Hybris” and “Blank,” and directed by Dragon Award winner Svensson. Emmy-nominated Per Berge Engebretsen (“22 July,” “Flus”) and Rubicon TV CEO Ivar Køhn produce

Capturing “the extraordinary pressures and quiet heroism of frontline medicine” and continuing “the Nordic tradition of sharp, socially conscious storytelling,” DR Sales said Tuesday, “Still Breathing” is a new New8 series, which means it has been acquired for their respective territories – though the scope varies slightly, noted Munk Skydsgaard – by ZDF (Germany), NPO (Netherlands), VRT (Belgium), SVT (Sweden), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), RÚV (Iceland), and NRK (Norway).  The series is also supported by Norwegian Film Institute and Nordic Film- & TV Fond.  

Set in rural Norway, Still Breathing follows four young hospital interns — Petra, Joakim, Ashan, and Kissy — thrown into the relentless grinder of emergency medicine. Idealistic and ambitious, they must quickly face the harsh realities of a collapsing system: long shifts, impossible choices, and life-or-death decisions. 

“Though strangers at first, their shared trials forge bonds deeper than friendship — shaped by profound dilemmas and moments that change them forever,” DR Sales said Tuesday, noting that “in the midst of mounting pressure on global healthcare systems, DR Sales is proud to present “Still Breathing.”

“The healthcare system – once our proudest achievement – is now being tested like never before. With an aging population, more patients than ever, and increasingly complex illnesses, the system is on the verge of collapse,” Lund told Variety. “In our story we follow four young adults in their twenties as they begin their internships. They arrive full of hopes and ambitions, eager to make a difference but are constantly forced to push past every limit.”

“With ‘Still Breathing,’ I aim to bring a directorial style that is both visceral and intimate. The storytelling will be physical and raw—there will be blood, sweat, and tears—but also moments of stillness and subtle poetry,” Svensson told Variety. “The series should feel alive — breathing with the people in it. Visually and tonally, I’m searching for closeness, warmth, and realism.”

As the international distribution arm of Danish public broadcaster DR, DR Sales largely handles DR productions, such as licensing hits “Prisoner” and “Carmen Curlers” and new Series Mania entry “Generations.”

News of DR Sales’ “Still Breathing” pick-up comes fast, however, on the heels of its announcing that it has landed international rights to Stockholm elite law firm thriller “Burden of Justice,” its first primetime Swedish series, coming from “Snabba Cash” co-writer Jens Lapidus, Swedish pubcaster SVT  and N12 partners.  

“We primarily distribute Danish content, but we also cherry-pick a few Nordic titles that align with our public service goals and fit into our slate,” said Munk Skydsgaard. 

“This also strengthens our long-standing collaboration with the other Nordic pubcasters and must resonate culturally and creatively, and reflect a clear public service mission. Such as NRK’s ‘State of Happiness’ and ‘Home Ground,’ and the new SVT legal thriller ‘Burden of Justice,’ and ‘Still Breathing’ from NRK – both great examples of impactful and high-quality content we’re proud to represent,” she added.

Each season will be made up of eight 45-minute episodes. Season 1 will premiere on NRK in May 2026, before international delivery in June 2026. The series is based on an original concept by Lund and Nicolai Moland, producer of the well-reviewed Liam Neeson starrer “Cold Pursuit.”

Annika Pham contributed to this article.