Adolescence outfit, ERT, Neda Film and ITV Studios prepping dystopian drama with Niamh Algar

Adolescence indie Warp Films has paired with Athens-based outfit Neda Film and ITV Studios on a multi-part AI thriller for Greek broadcaster ERT.

Six-part Harmonia is set in an AI-controlled, high-end luxury resort and wellness facility, where technology meets escapism and every guest’s desire can be fulfilled.

Billed as a “modern day Frankenstein story” of a scientist playing God, Harmonia tells a story where it becomes increasingly unclear whether the AI is the monster or the humans are.

Niamh Algar (The Iris Affair) stars as the AI’s creator Shona Casey, while French actor Fanny Ardant (The Woman Next Door) plays the resort’s former owner, with Chloe Lea (Dune: Prophecy) playing a member of staff with whom the AI becomes obsessed.

They are joined by Oliver Chris, Abubakar Salim, Goran Bogdan, Theo Augier, George Ioannides, Pygmalion Dadakaridis, Konstantinos Zografos, Antigoni Fryda and Zoe-Stella Nikolaou.

Harmonia is created by Peter Carlton (Reunion), Lefteris Charitos, Amanda Livanou and Hanna Jameson, with Carlton and Peter Balm exec producing for Warp, Livanou and Isavella Alopoudi undertaking the same duties for Neda, alongside Charitos, Jameson and Algar. Charitos, who directed hit Greek series Wild Bees, will helm Harmonia, and Jameson (The Undertow) is lead writer, with episodes from Alki Papastathopoulos and Panayotis Christopoulos.

It is co-financed by ITV Studios, and Greek public broadcaster ERT, with development support from the Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Fund and Creative Europe Media. ITVS will handle global sales.

Filming is underway in Athens and Harmonia is expected to air in 2027.

Carlton and Balm said: “At Warp, we’re drawn to bold, distinctive stories that combine burning questions with ambitious genre storytelling…the series combines the best of British and Greek creativity, with a ground-breaking international finance model bringing Hanna’s writing to life through Lefteris’ direction.”

Neda Films’ Livanou and Alopoudi, added: “What started as a crazy idea written hastily on a page has, four years later, transformed into our first foray into television drama with the best credentials possible.

“Writing these lines well into the second week of shooting we are incredibly proud and happy of the work we are producing – and the people we are working with…Harmonia is a milestone project in our journey as a company, pushing our boundaries further while staying true to our values of independence, boldness and fearless creativity.”

Julie Meldal-Johnsen, executive vice-president of global content at ITVS, said: “Harmonia is a visceral series of delicious suspense and spectacular sunshine, of biting humour and shocking horror.

“In an entertaining and compelling way, it confronts the challenges of tomorrow, between humanity’s control over the ubiquitous technology around us, an uneasy coexistence, or something far more dangerous.”

Yannis Papadopoulos, president (chair) of the board of directors of ERT, added that scripted international co-pros are a key pillar of the broadcaster’s strategy as it seeks to reach audiences outside of Greece.

He continued: “It is one of ERT’s most ambitious international co-productions, combining high production values with a story that has a clear international appeal. The fact that a series of this scale is being filmed entirely in Greece, with a Greek crew, is particularly significant to us at ERT.

“It demonstrates what the Greek production sector can deliver today, while creating a meaningful connection between international fiction and Greece’s creative and production talent.”