First look images of new Sky Original ‘Paradiso’ from Sky Deutschland

Sky today revealed first look images for new Sky Original 'Paradiso' – previously known as Funeral For A Dog based on Thomas Pletzinger's novel of the same name.

The images were taken on location at Lake D'Iseo and Lake D'Orta, Italy, where filming for the series commenced at the start of September.

The eight-part series is currently filming in Munich and Berlin, and will shoot in Bulgaria, Finland, New York and South America in early 2021.

The stellar German cast includes Friedrich Mücke (Ballon, Tatort), Albrecht Schuch (Berlin Alexanderplatz, Bad Banks), Alina Tomnikov (Arctic Circle – Der unsichtbare Tod), Ina Geraldine Guy (Into the Beat - Dein Herz tanzt), Daniel Sträßer (Hausen, Charité) and Anne Ratte-Polle (Es gilt das gesprochene Wort).

Based on the novel Funeral for a Dog, 'Paradiso' is the story of journalist Daniel Mandelkern who abruptly leaves his wife Elisabeth and travels to Italy for an interview with the celebrated German writer Mark Svensson who is living there in seclusion with the photographer Kiki Kaufmann.

Daniel's visit is supposed to only last a few hours, but Tuuli Kovero, the heroine of Svensson's novel and his eternal love, asks him to stay. Daniel is fatally drawn into their lives, becoming entangled in the mystery of Tuuli's missing partner Felix Blaumeiser, as well as a fascinating story seemingly familiar from Svensson's novel: a love triangle that began in Colombia, blossomed in Finland, broke up in New York.

'Paradiso' is scripted by novelist Thomas Pletzinger (The Great Nowitzki) with head authors Hanno Hackfort and Bob Konrad (4 Blocks). It is directed by David Dietl (König von Deutschland, Rate Your Date) and Barbara Albert (Licht, Böse Zellen). Executive producers are Eva Kemme and Martin Heisler for Flare Entertainment, Marcus Ammon and Frank Jastfelder for Sky Deutschland and Jason Simms for Sky Studios. Andreas Perzl is producer for Sky Deutschland. The series is funded by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, FFF Bayern and Piemont Film TV Fund. NBCUniversal Global Distribution will handle the international sales of the series on behalf of Sky Studios

Eva Kemme, Producer Flare Entertainment, said: "Italy, Brazil, Finland, Bulgaria, New York, Germany in times of COVID 19 - is there anything more to say? We thank our partner, Sky, for giving us their loyalty and support. We also thank directors Barbara Albert and David Dietl, our fantastic captains in a stormy sea and a big 'thank you' to our brilliant cast and crew who all have braved the winds in such a positive way! Together, we have already accomplished so much and we are looking forward to our journey after the Christmas break."

Andreas Perzl, Producer, Sky Deutschland, said: "To begin filming such an ambitious project with numerous international locations was always going to be a challenge, but especially so during these times. However, we know that our outstanding cast and our dedicated production team are in the best of hands and the safety of all involved will always be our top priority. Having captured the first part of the shoot set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Orta, we can't wait to take the story further afield and deliver a truly international series for viewers in 2022."