‘The Helicopter Heist’ premieres on Netflix to fantastic reviews

Today Friday 22 November marks the highly anticipated Netflix premiere of The Helicopter Heist, which has already received great praise both in Sweden and internationally.

The reality-based suspense series, directed by Daniel Espinosa and written by Ronnie Sandahl, is based on Jonas Bonnier’s novel of the same name. The Helicopter Heist stars Mahmut Suvakci, Ardalan Esmaili, Iskra Kostic, Erik Svedberg-Zelman, Johanna Hedberg and Nina Mårshagen, among others.

“It’s tight, thrilling and believable down to the smallest element. /…/ Above all, the creators succeed in the art of creating drama despite the fact that the outcome is known.”
– DN ★★★★

The Helicopter Heist should and will be a success for Netflix. /…/ It’s exhilarating, believable, well-acted and sweaty. /…/ Suvakci and Esmaili are excellent individually and together, and Erik Svedberg-Zelman deserves a special mention.”
– Aftonbladet ★★★★

“The Helicopter Heist is a brilliant mini-series that lives up to the high expectations. /…/ Everyone involved have shown top-of-the-line skills in the creation of this mini-series. /…/ The heist around which the whole story revolves makes for superb entertainment, but it is Espinosa and Sandahl’s respect for the series’ characters which is the basis for the high rating and makes the journey worth following over eight episodes.”
– Filmtopp ★★★★

“Merrily sit back and partake in this rollercoaster ride, where ringmasters Espinosa and Sandahl joyfully and skilfully emulate the fairgrounds of Martin Scorsese, Michael Mann and that heist grand-père of them all, Rififi. /…/ Also under the glimmering headlights at centre stage is a plentiful and talented cast. /…/ Even if we know the outcome, it’s still exhilaratingly exciting.”
– Cineuropa

“Erik Svedberg-Zelman gives a masterclass in anxiety as the helicopter pilot. /…/ The standout, however, is Mahmut Suvakci, who might possibly have the most expressive eyes in all of Scandinavia. /…/ Suvacki runs the gamut of human emotions – powerlessness, ambition, despair, hopelessness and love. It’s a truly powerful performance that really ties the various narrative strands together. /…/ Thoroughly well written, directed and performed, this is a fascinating insight into what it takes to pull off one of the most daring crimes in modern Swedish history. /…/ It’s a must watch.”
– Nordic Watchlist

“With the gripping plot and driven by the interesting characters brilliantly played by the actors, The Helicopter Heist is as good as a Netflix action thriller series can get and should definitely be watched by fans of the genre.”
– DMT

Lars Kepler No. 2 in Denmark

This week, Lars Kepler’s The Sleepwalker secures the No. 2 spot on Saxo’s bestseller list for crime novels in the e-book category and ranks No. 3 on their audio list. Additionally, it holds the No. 3 position on Bog & Idé’s crime fiction list.

‘Close Your Eyes’ Published on Iceland

Nine years ago, a family expecting their second child made the fateful decision to let their nine-year-old daughter spend the night in a garden shed. The little girl was never to be seen again. When her clothing is discovered during a police raid, the cold case of her disappearance is thrust back into the spotlight. Týr, Karó, and Iðunn must dive deep to uncover the truth of what happened that fateful night.

Meanwhile, a newly divorced woman renting the apartment once occupied by the ill-fated family becomes dangerously captivated by the case, leading to dire consequences.

Close Your Eyes, the gripping final installment in the Black Ice series, also delivers long-awaited answers about the murder of Týr’s mother, a mystery that has haunted him since he was a child.

The Adlibris Awards 2024

The nominees for the 2024 Adlibris Awards have just been announced. Adlibris is the leading book retailer in the Nordics and the award was founded in 2019 to celebrate the site’s biggest titles. The nominated works have been selected by a jury of Adlibris employees, but the winners will be voted forth by the public.

Liza Ridzén has been nominated in both the “Fiction of the Year” and “Debut of the Year” categories for When The Cranes Fly South. Nominated for “Debut of the Year” are also Johanna Swanberg for Cassi, and Ebba Bandh for A Little Death

Amongst the nominated titles in the “Crime Fiction” category are Kristina Ohlsson’s Beyond Rescue, and Lars Kepler’s The Sleepwalker.

Finally, in the “Children’s Book of the Year, Ages 6-12” category, Martin Widmark has received a nomination for The Space Mystery

The winning titles will be announced on January 30, 2025.

To vote, click the “Read more” button below.

Read more
Photo: Anton Isiukov

Svedberg-Zelman winner of SkyShowtime Rising Star Award 2024

Erik Svedberg-Zelman receives the 2024 SkyShowtime Rising Star Award. The jury’s reasoning reads: “This year’s Rising Star is a character actor who completely gives himself to his roles without losing himself. In his latest film, Düsseldorf, Skåne, our winner portrays a young man exploring his identity. A man who outwardly distances himself from the world, but is driven by a need to belong and be loved. His sensitive and uncompromising acting leaves us longing for more and we look forward to Erik Svedberg-Zelman’s journey towards the stars.”

 

‘The Doctrine’ premieres to great reviews

The Doctrine, a political thriller series adapted from Magnus Montelius’ novel Eight Months, premiered on TV4 on November 12, and the first three episodes are now available for streaming on TV4 Play.

The Doctrine has received fantastic reviews and Johan Widerberg has been praised for his role as Erik Nisser. Svenska Dagbladet annunciates that Widerberg should be “nominated for every single acting award available for his portrayal of a grumpy hack.”

The six-part series is written by Jens Jonsson who is also directing together with Johan Lundin. The cast features Johan Widerberg together with Josefine Neldén, August Wittgenstein, Anna Sise, Sissela Kyle och Krista Kosonen.

The JerryMaya Detective Agency ‘The Space Mystery’ shortlisted for Spårhunden Award

Martin Widmark and Helena Willis’ The Space Mystery, the thirty-third installment in the JerryMaya Detective Agency series, is shortlisted for the 2024 Spårhunden Award, presented by the Swedish Academy of Crime Writers for the year’s best Swedish children’s and young adult crime fiction.

The winner will be announced on December 1.

Teaser release for ‘Blindspår’

Prime Video has released a first teaser clip for the anticipated TV series Blindspår. For the first time ever, one of Anne Holt’s most beloved characters, Hanne Wilhelmsen, will come to life on the TV screen. The series is freely based on Anne Holt’s acclaimed best-selling novel 1222 and stars Ida Engvoll, Pål Sverre Hagen, Kjell Bergqvist, Sissela Kyle, Fabian Penje and Elli Osborne.

The series begins in the midst of a raging snowstorm when a train traveling from Stockholm to Narvik collides with an avalanche. All passengers are forced to take shelter at the old, isolated mountain hotel nearby. Among them is the sharp-witted and morose police officer Hanne Wilhelmsen. Once at the hotel, several mysterious murders occur. Although Hanne is temporarily suspended from the police, she begins to investigate the murders with the help of doctor Magnus.

The script is written by Sara Heldt together with director Erik Skjoldberg. Blindspår is set to premiere in January 2025.