A Midnight Sun Affair Premieres on YLE and YLE Areena

Known to Finnish audiences as Ciao Rakas!, and as Ciao Rahkis! in Northern Sápmi, the premiere marked an important milestone for the series — its first public release to nationwide audiences, available both through linear broadcast and on-demand streaming.

The dual release on YLE’s main channel and its streaming platform ensured broad accessibility, allowing viewers to experience the story in the way that best suits them: live on television or at their own pace on YLE Areena. The premiere also reflects YLE’s continued commitment to diverse storytelling, multilingual representation, and high-quality domestic drama with international reach.

For the creative team behind A Midnight Sun Affair, the broadcast was the culmination of years of development, collaboration, and production work. Seeing the series find its audience — under multiple titles and languages — highlights the project’s core themes of cultural encounter, belonging, and connection across borders.

At Whatever Pictures, we are proud to see the series launched in a way that embraces both national visibility and regional identity. Releasing Ciao Rakas! and Ciao Rahkis! simultaneously underscores the importance of inclusive storytelling and the value of reflecting Finland’s cultural and linguistic diversity on screen.

We would like to thank YLE for their trust and collaboration, as well as the entire cast and crew whose dedication made this premiere possible.

We look forward to following A Midnight Sun Affair as it continues its journey with audiences in Finland and beyond.