Ängelby is co-written by Tre Vänner co-founders Johan Kindblom and Tomas Tivemark and stars TV comedy actress Mia Skäringer in her first dramatic role. The story revolves around Vera, a newly divorced woman with two children who gets a new job in a small village, Ängelby. On her way to her new life, she has a car accident and hits a man who dies. But was she really responsible for his death? Local police officer (Joel Spira) starts investigating.
Other cast members include Göran Ragnerstam, Amanda Ooms and Anna Bjelkerud. Molly Hartleb (Thicker than Water) is the main director and filming commences now in Trollhättan. Christian Wikander from SVT Drama, Stockholm says Ängelby is targeting a broad audience, in particular the 20-59 female audience. “In terms of feel, we were inspired by Twin Peaks and Top of the Lake. The series is aiming the Monday slot (for dramedies) but it could also air on SVT1’s crime slot on Sunday evening,” notes Wikander.
Meanwhile SVT Drama’s current 10 part crime suspense Thicker than Water produced by NICE Drama is enjoying a good run on SVT1. The first episode opened with 1,069,000 viewers with a rating of 11.7% and a share of 30.6%. The four first episodes had an average rating of 11% and 29% viewing share, and the first two weeks of catch up TV on SVT Play generated around 93,000 unique starts. ZDF Enterprises is handling world sales.
The high profile Gothenburg set crime mini-series Ones Zeros (Ettor & nollor) written by Oskar Söderlund and directed by Johan Renck had more modest viewing numbers as the two episodes (aired on Sunday February 9 and 16) had an average rating of 7.5% and share of 20.7%. “Given the Olympic Games, we’re happy with the results,” said SVT in a statement.
Upcoming TV dramas lined up at SVT include Viva Hate, set to air later in the year, Ögon blå (‘Blue eyes’), a political thriller in 10 episodes written by Alex Haridi (co-writer of Real Humans 2) that should go into production in the spring, and Season Two of 30 Degrees in February currently in development. A Third season of the hit series The Bridge produced with DR is waiting to be greenlit.