LONDON — HBO Europe is to produce drama series “Umbre” (Small Time Gangster) in Romania. The series, which is adapted from an Australian format, will start production in early June.

The plot follows Reiu, a Bucharest taxi driver who doubles as a collector for a major local mobster. Black humor and drama intertwine when Reiu accidentally kills someone and wants to escape the mob’s clutches, but there seems to be no way out.

The series, which is based on a format created by Boilermaker Burberry, and licensed by U.K. formats specialists DRG Formats, will air on HBO Romania in early 2015. The series comprises eight episodes of 45 minutes in length.

“Umbre” is the third original series that HBO Europe has produced entirely in Romania.

The screenplay is written by Bogdan Mirica and the lead director is Igor Cobileanski, whose debut feature “La Limita de jos a cerului” won him the 2014 Gopo Award for best newcomer.

The series will be produced by Dragos Vilcu for Multimedia Est, and Aurelian Nica for HBO. Executive producer for HBO is Wayne Henry. Carmen Harabagiu is executive producer for HBO Romania.