Set in the coastal town of Akranes, the series follows police detective Elma, played by Unnur Birna Backman, who reluctantly returns to her hometown after a painful romantic breakup. Assigned to the local police station, she soon becomes involved in a murder investigation when a woman's body is discovered at the foot of a lighthouse. As long-buried secrets begin to emerge, Elma must confront her own past while working alongside fellow detective Sævar, portrayed by Nikulás Hansen Daðason.
The series is directed by Katrín Björgvinsdóttir (Entrapped, As Long As We Live) and Þóra Hilmarsdóttir (The Rising, Katla), with Karen Björg Eyfjörð Þorsteinsdóttir serving as writer and showrunner. Andri Freyr Hlynsson produces the series, which is a co-production between Glassriver and Belgium's Lunamine.
Mediawan handles international distribution, with a pre-sale already secured with Finland's MTV.
The adaptation draws on the international success of Ægisdóttir's crime novels, which have been translated into 23 languages. Her debut novel, The Creak on the Stairs, won the prestigious John Creasey New Blood Dagger in the UK, while Home Before Dark received Iceland's Blóðdropinn crime fiction award in 2024.
Commenting on the premiere, Andri Ómarsson, CEO of Glassriver said: " the Icelandic premiere marks an important moment for Elma, bringing a story that has resonated with Icelandic readers back to audiences in a new form. We’re delighted to have found a home for the series with Síminn, and to introduce local viewers to the world we have created – from the talent in front of the camera to the creative team who have brought this adaptation to life. We hope the series will feel both familiar and fresh to audiences who know the books, while also opening Elma up to viewers discovering it for the first time".
Elma joins Glassriver's growing scripted portfolio, which also includes Avalanche, co-produced with Whatevergroup; Konráð, based on Arnaldur Indriðason's bestselling novels; and Reykjavik Noir, adapted from the books by Lilja Sigurðardóttir. The company's upcoming slate also features Hot Stuff, an Icelandic-Romanian co-production with IDEA Film, and Tango Metal, an Icelandic-Finnish co-production with Helsinki-filmi.
