WRITTEN BY: Annika Pham
Adult Behaviour produced by FLX is the TV spin-off of Felix Herngren’s hit movie, while Evil produced by SF Studios is based on Jan Guillou’s eponymous best-selling novel.
Some of Scandinavia’s top talents on both sides of the camera are attached to the two Swedish series, mirroring Scandinavian streamer C More and Swedish commercial channel TV4’s sky-high ambitions in scripted content.
With Adult Behaviour (Vuxna människor), prolific director Felix Herngren brings to the small screens a new version of his 1999 movie of the same name. Herngren is co-directing the series with his brother Måns Herngren, and actor Adam Pålsson who makes his directorial debut.
The writers’ room takes in head-writers Amanda Högberg (Love & Anarchy), and Daniel Karlsson (The Thin Blue Line), as well as episodic writers Axel Stjärne (Partisan) and Maria Nygren (Suburbia).
While the 1999 film was a humorous look at what it means to be - or not - an adult, from a male’s point of view (Felix Herngren played the title role of Frank), the TV spin off looks at it from a female perspective.
The eight-part series revolves around 30-year-old Mathilda (Carla Sehn of Love & Anarchy) who seems to have it all - a good job in a law firm and a steady relationship. But when her boyfriend (Simon Reithner) proposes to her, it puts in motion a series of events that turn Matilda’s life upside down - for can she really claim to be an adult?
Herngren plays Mathilda’s boss at the law firm, Rakel Wärmländer (The Sandhamn Murders, Alex) is her sister Martha and David Dencik plays the psychologist Nathan.
“The theme is still topical, and we are convinced that the audience will recognise themselves in our lovable, but far from flawless characters,” said TV4 and C More’s executive producer Sonja Hermele.
The comedy drama produced by Sandra Sohlman is due to premiere on C More and TV4 in the fall 2022.
Meanwhile the six-part drama Evil (Ondskan) currently filming in Vilnius, Lithuania, is the latest screen adaptation of Jan Guillou’s best-selling eponymous novel. An earlier feature film version directed by Mikael Håfström earned him an Oscar nomination in 2004.
Seasoned writer Fredrik T Olsson (Conspiracy of Silence, Jordskott) has penned SF Studios’ serialised version, co-directed by Erik Leijonborg (Hamilton, Thicker than Water) and Daniel Di Grado (Farang).
The six-part series centres on Erik (16), known for his violent behaviour, who is transferred to the boarding school Stjernsberg to distance himself from his dark past. But the place has institutionalised violence, disguising it as ‘peer education’ of the younger students. Erik soon falls for the kitchen girl Marja and starts a forbidden love affair with her.
The young lovers are played by Isac Calmroth (All That is Left) and Thea Sofie Loch Naess (The Last Kingdom). Co-stars include Gustaf Skarsgård (who also starred in Håfström's film), Ruth Vega Fernandez, (Gentlemen & Gangsters), Jens Hultén (Bäckström, Mission Impossible-Rogue Nation) and Alexander Gustavsson (Beck).
“Jan Guillou's novel Evil is constantly relevant, perhaps more now than in a very long time,” said Piodor Gustafsson, TV4 Media’s Nordic Director of Scripted Content. “Breaking violent behaviours requires great individual courage. Examining and questioning masculinity is our responsibility. The series Evil does just that, but it is also a beautiful love story and, in the end, there is hope.”
The series is being produced by Tobias Åström for SF Studios, in co-production with
C More and TV4. Reinvent International Sales handles sales. The premiere is set for 2023.
Upcoming C More-TV4 originals due to open in April include the YA drama comedy Likea (FLX) co-created and starring Felicia Danielsson and Vera Herngren (April 6) and the spy thriller Agent Hamilton season 2 starring Jakob Oftebro (April 18).
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