BBC, MHz Choice pick up Swedish Wallander series
Banijay Rights also sold the new Swedish-language crime drama to broadcasters in the Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia and Lithuania.
The BBC has acquired UK rights to a new Swedish-language Wallander series, with MHz Choice taking U.S. and Canadian rights, Deadline reported. Both deals were struck with distributor Banijay Rights.
In the UK, the show will air on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer. Gustaf Skarsgård plays Kurt Wallander, who begins the series at the age of 42, and the first season consists of three 90-minute films.
Directors on the season include Antonia Pyk, Molly Hartleb, Pella Kågerman and Hugo Lilja, with Glenn Lund producing. The series is commissioned by TV4 alongside Banijay Rights, ARD Degeto, Film i Skåne and Ystad Österlen Filmfond.
Beyond the UK and North America, Banijay Rights sold the series to NPO in the Netherlands, VRT in Belgium, HRT in Croatia and LNK in Lithuania. The show is also part of MIA Market's GreenLit showcase in Rome.
Long-running source material
Henning Mankell's Wallander novels have sold more than 40 million copies and been translated into more than 40 languages, according to Deadline. Earlier adaptations ran between 1994 and 2014 and aired on channels including BBC Four in the UK.
Quick answers
Where will the new Wallander series air in the UK?
The BBC acquired UK rights and will air the series on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer.
Who plays Kurt Wallander in the new series?
Gustaf Skarsgård plays Kurt Wallander, who starts the series at age 42.
How many films are in the first season?
The first season consists of three 90-minute films.