Sherlock & Daughter Creator Writes New Geopolitical Thriller for TV: Operation Arctic Fox
Brendan Foley to Adapt Finnish Thriller ‘Operation: Arctic Fox’
Brendan Foley, the creator behind the popular series Sherlock & Daughter, has announced his next project: an adaptation of the Finnish geopolitical thriller Operation: Arctic Fox. This work is based on a novel by journalist and former army officer Helena Immonen.
Set against a backdrop of intensifying Arctic ambitions from Russia and China, the story revolves around a Finnish family of operatives facing military conflict, biological warfare, and global espionage as geopolitical tensions escalate. This project is particularly timely, given recent developments in the Arctic, including former President Donald Trump’s interests in Greenland.
Operation: Arctic Fox is in the early stages and does not yet have a buyer. It is produced by Ilkka Hynninen and Ilkka Rahkonen’s ICS Nordic, which previously optioned the novel through a development agreement with Finnish publishing group WSOY. This collaboration aims to reshape how Finnish scripted content is developed for international markets and encourages authors to take an active role in adapting their work for the screen. Immonen will serve as an executive producer alongside Foley, Hynninen, and Rahkonen.
Foley is known for his work on Sherlock & Daughter, a CW series that debuted last year to acclaim and strong ratings across Nordic public broadcasters. A second season is currently in development. His previous projects include Nordic noir narratives such as Cold Courage for Lionsgate and Viaplay, and The Man Who Died for Elisa Viihde.
Foley expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I’m delighted to be working on the TV adaptation of Helena’s great novel just as the world’s attention is glued to the crucial region at the roof of the world. Audiences come for the Big Idea, but they stay for the characters – people they want to get to know over episodes and seasons. I’m delighted to be working with ‘the two Ilkkas’ of ICS, who both know their stuff and appreciate what it takes to make a story work internationally.”
Brendan Foley. Image: supplied
