Karine Vanasse, known for her role in Cardinal, leads the cast of Death of a Diplomat, a gripping thriller series adapted from the debut novel by Eliza Reid, former First Lady of Iceland. The project heads to the Series Mania Co-Pro Pitching Sessions on March 24 in Lille, France, among 15 selected entries.
Plot and Casting Details
Canadian streamer Crave and Iceland’s Síminn have secured local rights to the six-part drama, produced by Blink49 Studios in Canada and Truenorth in Iceland. Groupe Entourage serves as an executive producer.
Vanasse portrays Jane Shearer, the wife of the Canadian ambassador. The story unfolds in the tense realm of international diplomacy, where Shearer probes the poisoning of a key figure during a gathering at a secluded Icelandic site. Teaming up with a young detective, she exposes a network of secrets, corruption, and betrayal linking Reykjavik’s power players to her personal life.
Production Team Praises Lead Actress
Executive producers Carolyn Newman and Virginia Rankin expressed enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to have Karine Vanasse attached to the project as Jane Shearer. Her talent and presence make her the perfect choice to lead this high-stakes, internationally thrilling story. With Lynne Kamm’s adaptation and our partners at Groupe Entourage and Crave, we’re excited to bring this series to life for audiences in Canada and around the world.”
Lynne Kamm, the series writer and showrunner, added: “Karine Vanasse is the ambassador’s wife, polished charm on the surface, and gloriously mischievous underneath. She brings the cheeky wit and killer curiosity this role demands.”
Novel Background and Global Success
The source material, originally titled Death on the Island, launched in Canada via Simon & Schuster and in the U.S. through Sourcebooks in spring 2025, topping bestseller lists in both markets. It appeared as Death of a Diplomat in the UK from Sphere and in Iceland from Forlagid, dominating sales there for two months post-release. A German edition arrives soon from Kampa Verlag, marking the start of a planned series.
Blink49, backed by Fifth Season and Bell Media, acquired rights through its partnership with North American literary firm Transatlantic. The executive producers include Newman and Rankin, Samantha Haywood and Laura Cameron from Transatlantic, Kristinn Thordarson and Leifur B. Dagfinnsson from Truenorth, Kamm, Reid, and Nathalie Brigitte Bustos and Eric Young from Groupe Entourage. Vanasse is represented by Agence M and UBBA, while Kamm works with Luber Roklin Entertainment, Agence Adequat, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora & Clark.
