Finnish Drama ‘Citizens of Heaven,’ Written by ‘All the Sins’ Creators, Announces Cast for a ‘Mystery About Faith, Power and the Stories People Choose to Believe’ (EXCLUSIVE) 

New Finnish series “Citizens of Heaven,” written by Venla Aakko and Mika Ronkainen, creators of multi-prized sales hit “All the Sins,” has announced its cast. 

It will be led by Lauri Tilkanen (“Deadwind,” “Hildur”), Daniel Virtanen (“Syke,” Deception” and Series Mania-selected “Atlantis Pasila”) and Kreeta Salminen (“Enemy of the People,” “Guts”). Karl-Cristian Grundman (“Icebreaker,” “Codename Annika”) and Aamu Milonoff (Sundance winner “Girl Picture,” “Soviet Jeans”) also star. 

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The series – about to be presented at Series Mania Forum’s showcase Coming Next from the Nordics on March 24 – will start shooting next month.

“Citizens of Heaven” is a mystery drama set deep within a secluded religious cult, led by the devout and disciplined Elias, under the watchful eye of his uncompromising father. The community is on the brink of collapse – until Elias’ estranged brother Joosua returns from prison and performs a miraculous healing. 

As people and money begin to pour in, the cult is reborn. When investigative journalist infiltrates the group, the noose around the sect begins to tighten. As old secrets come to light, Elias must choose: to expose the truth or protect the lie that holds the entire community together.

“Cults are a fertile ground for drama. In closed communities, shared beliefs and mutual care can flourish – but so can jealousy, rivalry and suspicion,” said Jemina Jokisalo, head of drama and screenwriter at Just Republic. Jokisalo co-created the show alongside Aakko and Ronkainen.  

“At the heart of ‘Citizens of Heaven’ is a power struggle between two brothers. When Joosua, the black sheep of the family, suddenly returns and appears to perform a miracle, his brother Elias is consumed by jealousy. What unfolds is a mystery about faith, power and the stories people choose to believe,” she added, praising Ronkainen’s “distinctive visual style” and both writers’ “deep understanding of the subject matter.” 

“In the current market, a series needs to have a unique idea within a clear, familiar genre. It’s easier said than done, but a brilliant idea will always catch attention, and a familiar genre can help the series travel, especially during times of uncertainty,” 

“Citizens of Heaven” is sold by The Burbank Agency, while Elisa Viihde is on board as broadcaster. 

“With this new series, we are strengthening our ambition to create original drama developed for both local and global audiences from the outset. We are delighted to once again work with Mika Ronkainen and Venla Aakko,” noted Chief Content Officer Ani Korpela, pointing out that “All the Sins” not only won the best Nordic Series Script Award at Göteborg Film Festival’s TV Drama Vision – but was also Elisa Viihde’s most widely internationally distributed original series to date.

Executive producer Sari Lempiäinen observed: “This is a project we have felt strongly about from the start, and we’re excited to move into production with this stellar cast to bring the story of the sect and its rival brothers to the screen. As a commissioner, Elisa Viihde is drawn to distinctive, thought-provoking stories that reflect the tensions of contemporary society and offer audiences powerful emotional experiences.”

Lempiäinen said that Elisa Viihde – also presenting original series “Power Couple” by Fire Monkey in the Forum’s Co-Pro Pitching Session – looks for stories that feel “urgent and emotionally true, stories that stay with you and spark conversation.” 

The team already worked with Jokisalo on well-received “Money Shot.” 

“While crime remains an important genre for us, we are open to a wide range of genres, although we tend to steer away from pure horror and sci-fi. What matters most is a compelling original idea or strong IP, a clearly defined world, and a team with a unique vision and the ability to bring it to life, with the potential for the story to resonate with both local and international audiences. Co-production potential is also a key factor.,” said Lempiäinen.