Marko Popović
SOUTH STREAM
While searching for his missing wife, a Bulgarian security operative finds himself trapped on the island of Crete and in the middle of energy war between Russia and the European Union.
SYNOPSIS
Martin Troyanov (33), an occasional operative for the Bulgarian Security Service, takes what seems like a simple job: deliver a USB drive to a Greek journalist on Crete. He brings his pregnant Serbian wife, Maya (28), along—but soon after the handoff, the journalist is murdered, and Maya disappears. As Martin searches for her, he uncovers a buried investigation into the failed South Stream pipeline—an abandoned project that sparked an energy war between Russia and the EU. With the Greek Energy Minister arriving in Crete to sign a controversial offshore drilling deal, Martin is framed for an assassination plot. Now he must race to clear his name, expose the conspiracy, and find Maya before time runs out.
CREATOR
Marko Popović
PRODUCER
Krastyo Lambev
PRODUCTION COMPANY
Concept Studio
CO-PRODUCTION COMPANIES. FOSS Production, Civica Holding B.V.
COUNTRIES
Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece, The Netherlands
FORMAT
50' x 6
GENRE
Political Spy Thriller
Marko Popović
Marko Popović majored in screenwriting and dramaturgy at the Belgrade Faculty of Dramatic Arts and completed the New York Film Academy Directing Programme. He is a co-author and co-producer of the mini-series THE CALL (Radio Television of Serbia, 2023). The series had its premiere at the Sarajevo Film Festival, was nominated for eight Heart of Sarajevo TV Awards in 2024, and won the silver medal at the Heart of Europe International TV Festival and Forum in Warsaw. Popović is the creator of the limited series THE ONLY WAY OUT (Superstar TV, 2021), the head writer of the first three seasons of the popular Serbian melodrama series SECRETS OF THE GRAPEVINE, (Superstar TV, 2021–2024). He wrote the screenplay for the film THE ONLY WAY OUT (2021), and is the author of the thriller novels THE ONLY WAY OUT (2022) and ONE FALSE MOVE (2016), the latter of which was adapted for Superstar TV as the limited series RESTLESS (2023). Popović is currently co-authoring the limited series OCCAM’S RAZOR (Radio Television of Serbia, 2025).
CREATOR’S STATEMENT
UNIVERSAL STORY, LOCAL RELEVANCE: Was the EU too lenient toward Russia? Is it too late to repair the damage? These questions have occupied the European public in recent years, and we believe our approach to addressing them will appeal to a broader audience. The core story of SOUTH STREAM is universal. The way it unfolds, however, is uniquely tied to the region’s current geopolitical landscape. Our aim is to explore how Balkan countries interact through both official and unofficial channels—major infrastructural projects, criminal networks, and migrant routes. To ensure authenticity, we plan to collaborate with writers from across the region and with investigative journalists like Christo Grozev.
THE CRISIS OF A MALE HERO: We take great pride in creating strong female characters. However, we also recognise a crisis in the representation of positive masculinity, particularly in the Balkans. While male leads are common, they are often portrayed as macho, alpha types with a traditionalist, patriarchal bent. We are passionate about creating a male protagonist who is heroic yet vulnerable, compassionate, and progressive.
FAST-PACED, EMOTIONALLY GRIPPING: We envision SOUTH STREAM as a fast-paced thriller, packed with suspense and sharp twists that grip you from the very beginning and never let go. At the same time, we believe that action must be grounded in real, credible characters and plausible assumptions. The series weaves together multiple storylines, each driven by authentic and compelling human emotion at its core.
Krastyo Lambev
Krastyo Lambev is a producer and founder of Concept Studio Ltd, an independent production company in Bulgaria. The Studio is a producer and co-producer of feature films, documentaries, shorts and series, while specializing in post-production and international rights management with partnerships including HBO Europe and Netflix. Concept Studio developed a professional streaming platform, Filmira.bg, to promote Bulgarian cinema. Krastyo’s notable works as a producer include the successful film “The Naked Truth about the Zhiguli Band”, presented at international film festivals and widely distributed, as well as the TV series “Sofia at Home”, broadcasted in primetime on BTV. Krastyo has co-produced numerous feature films and documentaries such as “Monkey”, “Petya of my Petya”, Vaklush, “Damascena: The Transition” and more. Krastyo is the producer of “Media Play”, an annual international business event dedicated to the film and television industry. The Studio is also successfully developing a board game, Truth Detective, designed to foster critical thinking skills and awareness of fake news.
PRODUCER’S STATEMENT
The inspiration behind developing SOUTH STREAM lies in its profound relevance as a trans-European narrative that resonates deeply with the Balkans and the European Union more broadly. Written by a talented Serbian scriptwriter, the series delves into the complexities of geopolitical intrigue, energy diplomacy, and the human stories woven into one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in modern Europe. SOUTH STREAM is not just a Balkan tale; it is a European one. The series addresses themes of interdependence, political maœuvrings, and cultural connections, bridging East and West through the lens of a pipeline that symbolises both division and unity. The story’s backdrop is a pivotal project that was intended to transform the energy landscape of Europe, making it a compelling subject for audiences across the continent and beyond. As producers, we recognise the need for authentic storytelling rooted in the cultural and political realities of the region. This is why we think of this project as an international co-production between Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece—three nations directly tied to the events and history of the SOUTH STREAM project. This collaboration ensures accuracy and depth, and brings a diverse set of perspectives to the narrative. In a world increasingly defined by energy crises and shifting political alliances, SOUTH STREAM offers an opportunity to explore these themes through the human experience. By bringing this project to life, we aim to spark meaningful dialogue about the role of the Balkans in the future of Europe.
Production company profile
With over fifteen years of experience, Concept Studio is a key company in the Bulgarian film industry. It is dedicated to promoting Bulgarian cinema on the international market. The company produces films and televison series, and also distributes Bulgarian content internationally. This has led to the sale of Bulgarian titles to major players such as Netflix and HBO, marking an important milestone for the region. Concept Studio has a well-developed post-production department which has handled two HBO originals, the most recent Bulgarian television series, and numerous fiction and documentary films.
Where are we at?
ESTIMATED PRODUCTION BUDGET FOR THE FIRST SEASON
2.400.000 €
FINANCING IN PLACE
Expecting confirmations
Production timeline
Development 2025
Production 2026
Out in 2027