'The Bridge' Actress Sofia Helin to Play True-Life Princess in 'Atlantic Crossing' (Exclusive)

The Scandinavian star will play Norwegian Crown Princess Martha, who fled the Nazis and befriended President Franklin Roosevelt, encouraging the U.S. to enter World War II.

Sofia Helin, star of the Scandinavian noir series The Bridge, has signed on to play Norwegian Crown Princess Martha in the true-life drama Atlantic Crossing.

Princess Martha fled the Nazis after the German invasion of Norway, escaping to the U.S., where she befriended President Franklin Roosevelt and lived in the White House. Some historians credit her with helping push Roosevelt to enter World War II and fight the forces of fascism.

“This is an amazing but untold story about a woman who made a difference," Helin said in a statement. "So far, there has been no place for the female perspective in stories told about the Second World War. Now it’s about time these stories are being told."

The actress made her international breakthrough playing the socially inept detective Saga Noren in the Scandinavian noir The Bridge, which became a worldwide hit and inspired several remakes, including FX's English-language series of the same name starring Diane Kruger and Demian Bichir.

Helin also co-stared in the German miniseries The Same Sky, which Netflix picked up for English-speaking territories worldwide. Her next feature film is the thriller Lifeboat from director Josefine Kirkeskov.

An eight-part limited series, Atlantic Crossing was created by Alexander Eik and is being produced by Norwegian shingle Cinenord for public broadcaster NRK. Eik and Linda May Kallestein co-wrote the script.

Set in the U.S., Britain and Norway, Atlantic Crossing will begin shooting in December. Beta Film is handling world sales.