Amsterdam -- May 29, 2020 -- The filming of the first Icelandic Netflix series Katla has begun.

The cast includes Guðrún Ýr Eyfjörð, Íris Tanja Flygenring, Ingvar Sigurðsson, Þorsteinn Bachmann, Sólveig Arnarsdóttir, Guðrún Gísladóttir, Baltasar Breki and Björn Thors from Iceland and Aliette Opheim and Valter Skarsgård from Sweden among others.

The series is created by the award-winning director Baltasar Kormákur (Trapped, Everest) and produced by RVK Studios.

One year after the outbreak of a violent eruption of the subglacial volcano Katla, the peace and tranquility in the small town of Vík has been dramatically disturbed with the eruption still active. The ice near the volcano has been melting, the area has been evacuated and only a few remaining people manage to provide the necessary community service in the village, which is now only accessible by crossing the Markarfljót river. The grand area has turned out to be somewhat apocalyptic and Vík is declared a danger zone.

Mysterious elements, that have been deeply frozen into the glacier from prehistoric times, start to emerge from the melting ice with consequences no one could ever have foreseen

– I‘m really excited about being a part of this ambitious project. My part as GRÍMA is certainly a challenge, but working with Baltasar you just know that it will turn out right. He‘s really great to work with as director. While he gives his actors space to develop their characters and is always open to ideas and suggestions, he knows exactly how he wants things done and you can always be sure that he’ll catch you if you go off track and direct you right back on it, says Guðrún Ýr Eyfjörð.

Katla is created by internationally recognized and acclaimed director Baltasar Kormákur.

– After extensive casting sessions, we put together an amazing ensemble cast, mixed with some of Iceland‘s finest and most experienced actors as well as brilliant young emerging talent. I‘m very confident with the choices we made and thoroughly enjoy working with all of them, says Baltasar Kormákur.

The cast also includes Haraldur Ari Stefánsson, Birgitta Birgisdóttir, Helga Braga Jónsdóttir, jörn Ingi Hilmarsson and Aldís Amah Hamilton along with the 9-year old Hlynur Atli Harðarson.

The team writing the story behind the eight part series is in addition to Baltasar Kormákur, co-creators Sigurjón Kjartansson, Davíð Már Stefánsson and Lilja Sigurðardóttir and produced by RVK Studios. Katla will launch on Netflix worldwide.

Launch date is still to be announced.