Co-stars Josefin Asplund and Alexej Manvelov top-line the Swedish thriller series produced by Filmlance International for CMore/TV4.

The 8x45’ series Top Dog marks the latest screen adaptation of Swedish lawyer and best-selling author Jens Lapidus’ literary works or screenplay, after the Easy Money films and TV drama The Lawyer. The series has the titular name of the third book in the Top Dog series, although it will also incorporate elements from the first two books The VIP Room and Stockholm Delete.

Head-writer Veronica Zacco (The Bridge S4, Farang, Thicker Than Water) has written the screenplay in a writers room, together with Josefin Johansson, Amanda Högberg, Linnea Möller Lindh, Dunja Vujovic, Lovisa Milles, Gunnar A.K. Järvstad and Alexis Almström.

Concept director Molly Hartleb (The Restaurant, Thicker than Water) shares the directing duties with Alexis Almström (Pink Cloud Syndrome). 

The new series focuses on the clash between Stockholm business attorney Emily Jansson and ex-con Teddy Maksumic. Emily is an aspiring "Top Dog" who wants to make her way up in the law firm. Teddy has recently become an underdog and wants to get out of the mafia. In order to achieve her goal, the ambitious lawyer has to find Philip, the son of the firm’s most important client, who has been kidnapped. As for Teddy, in order to leave his old life, he has to find Philip’s kidnapper. Their paths cross on their respective missions, which is the beginning of an unorthodox collaboration and a highly unusual friendship. 

In the title roles are Josefin Asplund (Vikings, Sanctuary, Conspiracy of Silence) and Alexej Manvelov (Chernobyl, Before We Die). Co-stars include Gustav Lindh (Queen of Hearts), Peter Gardiner (The Truth Will Out), Christian Hillborg (The Last Kingdom, Hidden), Joel Spira (Sthlm Requiem), Kardo Razzazi (Alex), Mahmut Suvakci (Johan Falk), Bekzod Kuliev (Before We Die), and Amanda Ooms (Spring Tide).

Lapidus said: “It is exciting that Top Dog has now become a TV series. From what I have seen, I can say this: it will be awesome! I have not checked every detail, but the most important with adaptations of my works is that authenticity persists. Authenticity should permeate everything, from the script, director to the actors that form the basic building blocks. What I've seen from Josefin and Alexej’s interpretation is really promising,” the bestselling author said.

Josefin Tengblad, Head of Drama at C More/TV4 said: “Jens Lapidus is unique in his writing with his authenticity and very own genre. We feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to turn the books into a TV series, together with Filmlance.”

Top Dog is produced by Filmlance’s Anna Wallmark, Olof Spaak and Teresa Alldén for C More/TV4, in co-production ZDF and Film Capital Stockholm Fund.  ZDF Enterprises has started pitching the series at MIPCOM in Cannes.