DR’s drama director Christian Rank departs amid “deadlock”

Christian Rank

Danish pubcaster DR is revamping its scripted division, with current drama chief Christian Rank stepping down.

Rank replaced the long-serving Piv Bernth in 2018 at the top of DR’s drama division, having previously been a producer at TV2.

He had produced shows such as Avringerne (Inheritance) and Lykke (Happiness) for DR, but is leaving after the broadcaster said the situation on a recent commission about Danish royalty Leonora Christina Ulfeldt had left the division “deadlocked.”

The show had been ordered last year but has been postponed because of financial pressures, creating a “tense situation” for DR’s drama arm, according to director of DR culture, children & young people Henrik Bo Nielsen.

He added that attempts to “calm” the situation and “achieve peace” had not been possible, leading to the decision for Rank to step down.

Deputy director of DR Drama, Marianne Bennetzen, is taking on interim charge of DR Drama until full-time replacement is found.