‘The Kingdom’ published in Norway
When Roy and Carl’s parents die suddenly, sixteen-year-old Roy is left as protector to his impulsive younger brother. But when Carl decides to travel the world in search of his fortune, Roy stays behind in their sleepy village, satisfied with his peaceful life as a mechanic.
Some years later, Carl returns with his charismatic new wife, Shannon – an architect. They are full of exciting plans to build a spa hotel on their family land. Carl wants not only to make the brothers rich but the rest of the village, too.
It’s only a matter of time before what begins as a jubilant homecoming sparks off a series of events that threaten to derail everything Roy holds dear, as long-buried family secrets begin to rise to the surface…
The Kingdom is a simmering and complex thriller full of unexpected twists, devastating family legacies and an ever growing body count.
‘A Hustler’s Diary – The Series’ to premiere on SVT
A Hustler’s Diary is a stand-alone series based on the hit movie of the same title, released in 2017. All eight episodes of the series will be available to watch on SVT Play on September 4. The first episode will air September 5 on SVT 1.
The comedy-drama is directed by Abbe Hassan and Ivica Zubac. The script is written by Ivica Zubac along with Marcelo Obon and Can Demirtas.
‘Anxious People’ No. 1 on Goodreads
Fredrik Backman’s Anxious People is officially the No. 1 trending novel among readers at Goodreads, a week before the novel’s publication in the US and Canada. This was announced in a newsletter that was sent out today to all Goodreads’ subscribers.
‘Top Dog’ to premiere on C More/TV4
It is now official that the new thriller series Top Dog will premiere October 7 on C More, and October 18 on TV4. Top Dog the TV series is based on bestselling Swedish author Jens Lapidus’s books The VIP Room, Stockholm Delete and Top Dog.
Top Dog is directed by Molly Hartleb and Alexis Almström. The script is written by lead screenwriter Veronica Zacco together with others.
The weekly Swedish bestseller lists
This week on the official bestseller lists in Sweden, Anders Roslund places at No. 8 in the paperback category with Knock Knock, the first installment in the Nameless Girls Diptych. The sequel, Sweet Dreams, comes in at No. 3 on the audio list, and No. 6 in e-books. Also on the e-books list is Anne Holt, whose A Necessary Death is No. 8. Finally, Simona Ahrnstedt’s Just a Bit More is No. 10 in paperback.
The weekly Norwegian bestseller lists
Jørn Lier Horst & Thomas Enger’s Unhinged is No. 5 on week 34’s bestseller list for e-books in Norway. The paperback category meanwhile sees Jo Nesbø’s long-seller Knife appear at No. 9, and Stefan Ahnhem’s X Ways to Die at No. 10. Lastly, in the hardcover category, is Horst & Hans Jørgen Sandnes’ The Search for the Last Dinosaur at No. 10.
Photo: Io Sivertsen
Pål Sletaune joins Salomonsson Agency
Pål Sletaune is one of Norway’s leading writers and directors. Sletaune has gained great creative and commercial success both with his feature films and drama series.
1997 marked the release of his first feature film, Junk Mail, which quickly became a big hit among critics and audiences. Junk Mail was among else selected as the Norwegian entry for ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ at the 70th Academy Awards, won ‘Best Film’ at the Amanda Awards, and was selected for the critic’s week at Cannes Festival, where it was awarded the top prize in its category. Among Sletaune’s other films one can find You Really Got Me (2001), Next Door (2005), and Babycall (2011). Sletaune is also one of the directors on the first season of the highly successful series Occupied (2015).
Sletaune is, together with Sara Johnsen, creator, writer and director of the acclaimed TV drama 22 July, a series about the everyday heroes who took action following the terror attack in Norway in 2011. 22 July premiered in January 2020 and has been lauded in Norwegian and international press. At the Golden Screen Awards, 22 July was voted ‘Best TV Drama’ and Sletaune won in the category ‘Best Director’.
NENT Group to adapt Max Anger novels
Nordic Entertainment (NENT) Group is adapting Martin Österdahl’s Max Anger novels as an original series for its Viaplay streaming service.
Adam Lundgren and Evin Ahmad co-star in the Swedish action thriller produced by Nice Drama in co-production with UK-based Twelve Town.
In the series, Max Anger has just been given a shot at peace when he falls for Pashie, a colleague at the Russia-focused think tank Vektor. When she suddenly goes missing in St. Petersburg, Max is desperate to find her. His efforts take him deep into a world of crime, corruption and international intrigue in Russia’s volatile and shrouded criminal underbelly.
The series is directed by Lisa Farzaneh and Jesper W. Nielsen, based on the screenplay by head-writer Mikael Newihl, co-written with Anders Sparring, Pauline Wolff and Jörgen Hjerdt.
The eight-part series will premiere exclusively across the Nordic region on Viaplay in late 2021.
The weekly Swedish bestseller list
Anders Roslund continues to feature with two titles on the official bestseller lists from Sweden. This week, Sweet Dreams is No. 4 in audio, No. 6 in e-book and No. 8 in hardcover, while Knock Knock is No. 5 on the paperback list. Also on the paperback list is Simona Ahrnstedt, claiming the No. 9 spot with Just a Bit More. Anne Holt meanwhile grabs the No. 4 position on the e-book list with A Necessary Death.
‘The Sandhamn Murders’ renewed for season 8
C More and TV4 have ordered an eighth season of The Sandhamn Murders, with filming already underway. The series is one of TV4’s most successful crime dramas, and season 7 recently premiered on C More with outstanding viewer ratings.
As in season 7, the series is based on the characters of Viveca Sten’s crime novels, but the plots of the original books and the TV adaption diverge. Sara Heldt and Johan Widerberg are the writers for season 8, while Mattias Ohlsson and Niklas Ohlson direct. Alexandra Rapaport will reprise her lead role as Nora Linde.
There is currently no set release date for season eight.