The adaptation of The Sinner — NBCUniversal Formats' globally successful, Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated series — has premiered in Slovakia, produced by Budapest-based Paprika Studios. The 8-episode psychological crime drama, titled Hriech (Sinner), had debuted on Slovak channel Markíza. Subscribers of the Voyo streaming platform had been able to watch the finished episodes a week earlier, the producer said in a media statement today.

The production brings an entirely new approach to the classic crime story: it focuses on the deeply buried psychological motive behind the act of murder, rather than the identity of the perpetrator. The story begins on a peaceful lakeside beach, where a young woman, Lucia Kubincová (Kristína Svarinská), kills an unknown man in front of dozens of witnesses and immediately confesses. However, the experienced investigator nearing retirement, Major Ondrej Gregor (Ady Hajdu), is not satisfied with the obvious answers, and digs through the dark layers of the past to uncover the true reasons behind the incomprehensible act.

"We are delighted that, in partnership with TV Markíza and Paprika Studios, we can bring the very first international adaptation of the format to Slovak audiences," said Albertina Marfil, Senior Vice President of Format Sales and Production at NBCUniversal Formats.

"We are proud that Paprika Studios is the first to adapt the story of The Sinner. The production also strengthens our fiction presence in the region, and marks another milestone in our successful partnership with TV Markíza," said Ákos Erdős, CEO of Paprika Studios.

"Sinner marks another important step in the development of premium drama production at Markíza. The Slovak adaptation of The Sinner is built on psychological tension, a strong atmosphere, and exceptionally precise acting performances. I am extremely proud of the creative team, which has once again shown that we are capable of creating a series that can compete with international productions," said Silvia Majeská, Programming Director of TV Markíza.

Hriech further strengthens Paprika Studios' premium fiction presence in the Slovak market, following earlier successes such as Pán profesor, Klamstvo ("Liar"), and Vina ("Broadchurch"). The series was directed by Emília Ondriašová, based on a screenplay by Peter Nagy. Featuring a leading cast of Slovak actors, the production stars, alongside the two leads, Jakub Jablonský, Branislav Deák, Daniel Žulčák, and Marta Sládečková, among others.

Creative lead and showrunner duties were handled by Bence Trunkó (COO of Paprika Studios), whose earlier work includes, but is not limited to, Vina ("Broadchurch") and Pán Professor (The Teacher), which also aired in Hungary on RTL for four seasons. Paprika Studios' production team was led by producers Veronika Jakubčová and Ctibora Bley, along with executive producer Kristína Majorošová; on behalf of TV Markíza, producing duties were handled by Alexandra Dubovská.

The creation of this production, together with Bence Trunkó's work as showrunner, exemplifies Paprika Studios' ability to mobilize the knowledge and talent of its colleagues across the region's markets in a cross-border manner, developing content that can succeed locally.