TV series based on Max Seeck’s novels moves forward with CSI director Danny Cannon

A television adaptation of Finnish crime writer Max Seeck’s Jessica Niemi novels has taken a step forward with the appointment of Danny Cannon as director and executive producer.

The English-language series will draw on Seeck’s 2019 novel The Faithful Reader, which began the Jessica Niemi series and reached The New York Times bestseller list. Cannon is known for his work on CSI, Gotham and Pennyworth.

The project has been developed in Los Angeles for seven years. U.S. production company Stampede Ventures acquired the television rights to Seeck’s series in 2019, and Finland’s MTV has joined the project as its domestic television partner.

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We have worked tremendously hard on the project together with American producers, screenwriters and the director.

Elina Ahlbäck, founder of the agency representing Seeck, said the team had worked extensively with U.S. producers, screenwriters and the director. She said Hollywood projects of this scale typically move through a lengthy, multistage development process, so no precise production timetable can yet be given.

Ahlbäck said appointing the director marked a major advance and that the project was moving rapidly. Productions of a similar size can take roughly two to four years to reach audiences from this stage, although the period may be shorter or longer. Seeck’s books have been published in 41 languages and sold more than 1.2 million copies.

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At this point, however, we can say that appointing the director is a significant step forward, and the project is moving at great speed.