Mentalist Russian-language remake to be a rare Russia-Ukraine collaboration

Popular US series The Mentalist is set to be adapted for audiences in Russia and Ukraine, with the show’s production a rare instance of collaboration between the two countries.

“We are keeping in mind fans of the original Mentalist. However, we’re making a project for the broadest audience possible,” the show’s producer, Vlad Ryashin, was quoted as saying by trade journal Booker’s Bulletin. With this in mind, there will be changes in the Russian-language version to make it more “in line with the mentality and expectations of our viewers”.

Shooting for the show will take place both in Russia and the city of Odessa, set on Ukraine’s Black Sea coast. The new series is set to premiere on Russia’s Channel One and TV-3 in 2017, with the Ukrainian broadcaster still to be announced.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter