Finland’s ICS Nordic names Kaarina Leinonen head of drama and development

Kaarina Leinonen has been appointed to the role of head of drama and development at Finnish creative studio ICS Nordic, as the Tampere-based outfit makes four hires as part of a domestic and international expansion strategy.

Leinonen is a screenwriter with more than 20 years of experience across TV, film, theatre, and experimental storytelling. Her credits include medical drama Syke (ITV Finland), and soap opera Secret Lives (MTV), the longest running TV drama in Nordic history.

Alongside her creative work, she has taught screenwriting and lectured in group communication at university level.

Eslewhere, Laura Ahola has been brought in as a staff producer, having previously worked at Mediawan Finland as a producer for almost eight years. Sonja Hammaren joins as chief financial officer, while Salli Leikola joins as legal counsel, specialising in IP rights and entertainment law.

The company expansion comes soon after ICS Nordic completed production on 8×60’ international crime drama Blood & Sweat, a co-commission from Japanese broadcaster Wowow and Nippon-backed streamer AX-ON, distributed globally by Boat Rocker Studios. ICS Nordic is also working on geopolitical thriller Operation Arctic Fox.

Illka Rahkonen, co-founder and CEO, said: “These appointments are a major step forward for us. Kaarina brings exceptional creative depth and development expertise, Laura strengthens our production capability at a pivotal moment of growth, and Sonja and Salli add the financial and legal rigour essential for long-term expansion.

“Together, these hires make us better equipped to develop ambitious IP, deliver at a high level, and build stories that travel.”