Scripted

Finnish long-running daily drama Salatut elämät (Secret Lives) is marking a major television milestone as it prepares to air its 5,000th episode, becoming one of the rare Nordic scripted series to reach such longevity.  Produced by Fremantle Finland and broadcast by MTV, the series first launched in 1999 and has remained a fixture of Finnish television for 27 years, adapting over time to new generations, platforms and viewing habits.

To celebrate the landmark, the production has created a special theatrical version of the 5,000th-episode storyline, set to premiere in Finnkino cinemas across Finland on September 24. The event has already generated strong interest, with more than 30 cinema auditoriums sold out nationwide.
The theatrical edition has been specifically filmed and edited for the big screen and combines the storylines of three television episodes. Following the cinema premiere, the episodes will be released on streaming service MTV Katsomo and broadcast on MTV3.

The milestone episode brings the residents of Pihlajakatu to a series of dramatic turning points. Five thousand episodes after the death of Tyyne Puustinen changed everything, new secrets are about to emerge: while one character sees a long-held dream finally come true, another faces a life-changing collapse. At the heart of the special lies the revelation of the series’ “5,000th secret”.

Riina Kullas, CEO of Fremantle Finland said: “Reaching 5,000 episodes is an extraordinary achievement, not only in Finland but in television globally,” Kullas said, highlighting the programme’s ability to remain part of Finnish everyday life while continuously evolving with its audience. She also credited the creative and production teams, including professionals who have worked on the series since its launch, for preserving the programme’s identity while reinventing it for new viewers.

According to Kullas, another key element behind the show’s longevity has been its ability to remain closely connected to social and cultural conversations. Over the years, Secret Lives has addressed subjects and communities that were rarely represented on Finnish television at the time, including LGBTQ+ storylines, disability and a broad range of contemporary social experiences. The series continues to command a substantial audience. According to Finnpanel TV and TotalTV Measurement, Secret Lives reaches approximately four million Finns each year across MTV Katsomo and MTV’s linear channels. During the season, an average of 1.4 million viewers watch the series each week.