Dougray Scott Takes on Hans Christian Andersen in New Series

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Dougray Scott is set to portray the legendary Danish author Hans Christian Andersen in a new crime drama series titled Fairytale Detective. The one-hour show, written by Brendan Foley and produced by Omega Global Media, reimagines Andersen as an amateur sleuth navigating the complexities of 1850s Copenhagen.

In each episode, Andersen not only investigates crimes but also interacts with characters from his beloved fairy tales, who come to life to help guide him toward justice. Alongside his crime-solving adventures, Andersen is on a personal quest to win the heart of Jenny Lind, the celebrated singer famously known as the “Swedish Nightingale.”

Scott and Foley previously teamed up on the CW’s series Sherlock and Daughter, where Foley served as creator and Scott starred as Professor Moriarty. Foley has also contributed to the Nordic crime drama The Man Who Died and is currently involved in numerous international projects.

In addition to starring in Fairytale Detective, Scott will take on an executive producer role, ensuring a hands-on approach to the show’s development. He is balancing this with other projects, including ITVX’s The Hack, Channel 4’s Summerwater, and the BBC’s Crookhaven.

Danny Goldman, managing director of Omega Global Media, plans to showcase Fairytale Detective at Mipcom in October, aiming to attract potential buyers for the promising series.

Scott expressed his excitement for the role, stating, “I’m very much looking forward to collaborating with Brendan Foley on ‘Fairytale Detective.’ He has given us a unique and exciting insight into the world of Hans Christian Andersen which is funny, surprising, and incredibly moving.”

He described Andersen as a tragic and comedic figure, possibly on the autism spectrum, who channels his emotions through his characters. “Solving crimes gives him the same validation as his storytelling and a chance to understand and connect with the world around him,” Scott noted. “To explore those aspects of his life and character throughout the course of a series is incredibly exciting to me.”

Fairytale Detective promises an intriguing blend of period drama, mystery, and fantasy.