Torfinnur Jákupsson, a Westminster Audio Production MA alumnus, a screenwriter, showrunner and executive producer is the creator and head writer of Trom, the first TV drama series ever existing about the Faroe Islands.
The six-episode BBC crime series is based on the novels of Jógvan Isaksen and tells the story of journalist Hannis Matinsson played by Ulrich Thomsen. One day Hannis receives an unexpected call from his daughter Sonja, who he has not even known existed. She claims that someone is threatening her, after finding her bed covered in whale blood. Hannis returns home to the Faroe Islands to investigate, only to discover Sonja’s dead body in the sea. While looking for answers, Hannis gets entangled with the local police affairs and discovers the secrets of the Faroese community.
Jákupsson himself grew up on the Faroe Islands, working in a fish factory in his teenage years. He moved to London and built up an impressive career as a musician and freelance journalist. In his 30s, he decided to change his path and moved to the film and TV industry, creating feature films, documentaries, series and music videos. Some of his most influential works are Trøllabeiggi / Brother Troll (2019), and Myndamálarin / The Figurative Painter (2018), two award-winning shorts.
Jákupsson wanted to create a series about his community while bringing Jógvan Isaksen’s novels to life. He moved back to his hometown and started working on a draft, which later became Trom. The series aired on BBC iPlayer on 9 July 2022, and according to Albatros Agency, it is expected to be renewed for a second season. Trom received the Nymphe D’or / Prix Spécial du Jury Fiction at the 61st Monte-Carlo TV Festival 2022; the Official Selection for TV Drama Vision at Göteborg Film Festival (Sweden) 2022; the ”Silvurgrindin” from the Faroese Film Institute 2021; and the Official selection for Co-Pro Series/Drama Series Days at Berlinale (Germany) 2019.
Jákupsson graduated from the Audio Production MA course at the University of Westminster with Distinction and was also the recipient of the John Leckie Award for innovation in Music Production.
Matej Dimlić, Course Leader for the Audio Production MA course, said: “I am very proud to have had Torfinnur as my student. During the 22 years of its existence, MA Audio Production has encouraged students to work across the fields of music, film, broadcast and interactive media, and to ‘think outside the box’. As with many other successful MA Audio graduates, Torfinnur is living proof that creativity has no boundaries, and that one who dares to dream big can reach their full potential.”
Learn more about Audio Production MA at the University of Westminster.
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