UK actor Adam Godley (Breaking Bad) and Lisa Henni (Easy Money) star in the crime comedy Sophie Borg produced by the Swedish prodco FLX for SVT.

The Swedish-English languages series (8x30) started filming on October 3 in Gothenburg. 

Norwegian director Simen Alsvik (Lilyhammer) and Swede Jon Holmberg (Swedish Dicks) direct from an original idea by FLX writers/creators Erik Hultkvist, Tapio Leopold, Rikard Ulvshammar and Robin Muhr. 

When a brutal murder of an English man is committed in her hometown in Sweden, Sophie Borg is asked to team up with an English colleague from St Ives. Both need to solve the case to save the village from the killer’s reign of terror but also their own careers. 

Pontus Edgren, managing director and co- owner of FLX told nordicfilmandtvnews.com: “This is a crime story as much as it is a comedy. We wanted to bring a comedic take on the Nordic Noir genre and the clichés that go with it”. FLX’ best comedy writers were coupled with crime writers and sat down in a writers’ room to create the universe. Also, conceptual director Simen Alsvik has been crucial in setting the tone and attracting the great cast. The comedy is more in the characters and situations than in the dialogue.”

Sophie Borg produced in collaboration with Film Väst is set to premiere on SVT in the spring 2017. Danish DR is on board and several other buyers are circling the project.

Two returning high-profile FLX shows are currently shooting second seasons: 

  • Bonusfamiljen (The Bonus Family) was renewed by SVT ahead of its season 1 premiere in 2017 on SVT, NRK, YLE, RUV and DR. The 10x45’ drama about a recomposed family was created by Clara Herngren and Moa Herngren based on their own experience and season 2 started shooting on September 7. Felix Herngren continues as showrunner in Season 2 and key cast including Erik Johansson, Vera Vitali, Petra Mede, Frank Dorsin are reprising their roles. 
  • Torpederna 2 (6x44’), the returning season of the critically-acclaimed drama first aired on TV4 in 2014, started shooting on October 3 and will premiere on CMore next year. Måns Herngren and Jens Sjögren co-direct based on a script by Jesper Harrie, Santiago Gil and Kristina Swärd. The story of Ex-con Sonny (Torkel Petersson) who tries to lead a clean life but is dragged back into the criminal world continues with new twists. New actors in season 2 include Norwegian actor Rune Tente (The Last Kingdom). FremantleMedia International is selling season 1+2 at MIPCOM, with NRK and YLE onboard. 

The production company co-owned by Bonnier Growth Media also starts production in November on a new dramedy co-produced by TV4. 

  • Enkelstöten (The Simple Heist) is directed by FLX co-owner and creative director Felix Herngren, together with Emma Bucht. The 6x45’series is a remake of the popular SVT series from the 1970s-80s based on Tomas Arvidsson’s book ‘Enkelstöten’. “Instead of the male characters in the book, we have two female leads in their late 50s,” says Edgren who compares the series to a Swedish Thelma & Louise with humour and warmth. “The two women are close to retirement and facing tough times. So they rob a bank!” Casting for the two female lead will be announced shortly. FremantleMedia International has boarded the project for international distribution. TV2 Norge and YLE have pre-bought rights. 

On the feature side, the much anticipated The 101 Year-Old Man who Skipped out on the Bill and Disappeared (sequel to BO hit The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared) is in post-production ahead of its Christmas day release by Walt Disney Nordic in the Nordics. Måns Herngren co-directs with Felix Herngren, and Robert Gustafsson reprises his role as the eccentric centenarian Allan Karlsson, the character created by author Jonas Jonasson.

The feature scripted by Hans Ingemansson and Felix Herngren is based on an idea by Jonas Jonasson and Måns Herngren.

“Basically the story starts where we left it, in Bali,” says Edgren. ‘Allan Karlsson and his friends are enjoying themselves, but Allan’s Cold War past catches up with them when drinking the unforgettably tasty 'Folk Soda'. Robert Gustafsson is again brilliant and it’s been a pleasure to go back to Jonas Jonasson’s characters and universe’. Malte Forssell produces for joint-copro NiceFLX Pictures.

Another major feature project in development is the feature adaptation of FLX’s hit-series Solsidan, produced together with Jarowskij. Felix Herngren is attached to direct. FLX and Jarowskij are planning a release for Christmas Day 2017.