Karine Vanasse Joins ‘Death of a Diplomat’ Thriller Series – Series Mania Bound

Karine Vanasse, known for her role in the Canadian series Cardinal, has been cast in the lead role of the upcoming thriller series Death of a Diplomat, based on the bestselling novel by former First Lady of Iceland, Eliza Reid. The announcement comes as the series prepares for presentation at the Series Mania Co-Pro Pitching Sessions in Lille, France, on March 24.

The six-part drama, initially developed under the title Death on the Island, centers on Jane Shearer, the wife of the Canadian ambassador, who investigates the poisoning of a prominent figure during a gathering at a remote Icelandic location. The investigation leads Shearer and a young detective to uncover a complex network of secrets, corruption and betrayal that extends from Reykjavik’s elite circles to the core of her own marriage.

Canadian streaming service Crave and Iceland’s Síminn have secured local broadcasting rights to the series, which is a co-production between Canada’s Blink49 Studios and Iceland’s Truenorth. Groupe Entourage is similarly involved as an executive producer. According to Carolyn Newman and Virginia Rankin, executive producers for Death of a Diplomat, “Her talent and presence make her the perfect choice to lead this high-stakes, internationally thrilling story.”

Lynne Kamm, the show’s writer and showrunner, described Vanasse’s portrayal of Jane Shearer as embodying “polished charm on the surface, and gloriously mischievous underneath,” adding that the actress brings “the cheeky wit and killer curiosity this role demands.”

The source novel, Death on the Island, achieved bestseller status in both Canada and the United States upon its release in Spring 2025 by Simon & Schuster and Sourcebooks respectively. It was published as Death of a Diplomat in the UK by Sphere and in Iceland by Forlagid, where it topped the national bestseller list for two months. Rights for a German-language edition have been acquired by Kampa Verlag, and the novel is planned as the first in a series.

Blink49 Studios secured the rights to Reid’s novel through a joint venture with Transatlantic, a North American literary management firm. Blink49 will lead the studio production. The production team includes Samantha Haywood and Laura Cameron from Transatlantic, Kristinn Thordarson and Leifur B. Dagfinnsson from Truenorth, and Nathalie Brigitte Bustos and Eric Young for Groupe Entourage, alongside Kamm and Reid.

Vanasse is represented by Agence M and UBBA, while Kamm is represented by Luber Roklin Entertainment, Agence Adequat, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora & Clark.