The deal, announced at the New European Market in Dubrovnik, will kick off with an adaptation of Zagorka's best-seller The Witch of Gric. The 7-novel cycle has sold more than 10 million copies across Central and Eastern Europe.
The books, which are part historical romance, part adventure tales, are set in the second half of the 18th century and tell the story of the beautiful Countess Nera Keglevic, who inspires envy among the woman of the Zagreb aristocracy. When Nera tries to save a group of poor women from a witch-hunt, her rivals use this as an opportunity to accuse her of witchcraft and have her tried and executed.
The complicated plot, involving royal intrigue, romance and even a serial killer, would appear to provide sufficient material for a multi-season drama. FremantleMedia is looking to bring in international investment to boost the budget of The Witch of Gric to make it competitive on the world market. Zagorka is one of the most-read writers in Croatia and a best-seller across Central and Eastern Europe, but her novels have never been translated into English. Two are available in German: The Witch of Gric (1995) and Malleus Maleficarum (1972).
Zagorka was also the first female journalists in Croatia.
She died in Zagreb at the age of 84.
Zagreb-based Jadran Film produced numerous films in its 70-year history and was a co-producer on 2006 Berlin Film Festival winner Grbavica: The Land of My Dreams.
Croatia is already a hot location for international shoots. The walled city of Dubrovnik is the backdrop for King's Landing on HBO's Game of Thrones and series such as Borgia, Crossing Lines and Dig have taken advantage of the country's landscapes.