Scripted

ICS Nordic has signed award-winning writer and executive producer Brendan Foley to adapt "Operation: Arctic Fox" as a high-end geopolitical thriller and action-crime drama series.

Based on the bestselling novel by military affairs journalist and Finnish Army Reserve officer Helena Immonen, "Operation: Arctic Fox" is the third instalment in a popular book series. Set against rising Arctic ambitions from Russia and China, the story follows a Finnish family of operatives drawn into military conflict, biological warfare and global espionage as geopolitical tensions escalate toward a breaking point. With recurring characters and evolving global stakes, the narrative reflects the growing strategic importance of the Arctic, where climate change, military positioning and shifting power dynamics increasingly intersect.

ICS Nordic optioned the novel as part of its landmark development agreement with WSOY, Finland’s largest publishing group. The pact was designed to rethink how Finnish scripted IP is developed for international audiences, inviting authors to take an active role in the screen adaptation of their work. Immonen will serve as executive producer on the series alongside Foley, Hynninen and Rahkonen.

“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. And I’m delighted to be working with ’the two Ilkkas’ of ICS, who both know their stuff and who appreciate what it takes to make a story work internationally,” Foley said.

“With Brendan Foley joining 'Operation: Arctic Fox', the project immediately steps onto the international stage with a badge of excellence. His track record positions this not as a one-off thriller, but as a strategic, character-driven universe with real longevity. As Finland stands at the heart of NATO’s northern defence, 'Operation: Arctic Fox' captures a moment in history where telling the story feels more urgent with each passing day. Finland is no longer watching history unfold—it is helping to shape it,” said Ilkka Hynninen, Creative Director at ICS Nordic.

Timo Julkunen, CEO of WSOY and Helena Immonen’s original publisher, added: "It's fantastic news that Brendan Foley is beginning the adaptation of Helena's powerful novel. The story remains profoundly relevant in the turbulent world we live in today. We are thrilled about this significant development for 'Operation: Arctic Fox'. Every page of the novel resonates with global significance, powerfully capturing the essence of our current era from the critical vantage point of Finland, on the eastern border of NATO."