Viaplay announced today a preview of its summer slate, which includes two tentpole Euro TV series from Sweden and one from Norway.
Each of these Viaplay Original series is inspired by, about, or based on real-life events or individuals.
Mafia (Maffia) (Sweden)
Already announced is this Nordic noir crime thriller that charts the transformation of Sweden in the 1990s — evolving from a relatively tranquil nation untouched by organized crime into a land marked by intense gang conflicts and violent shootouts. The series touches on a critical time in Swedish history, when acts of violence such as shootings were unusual, almost unthinkable, but where cigarette smuggling, in particular, became the prelude to a new type of organized crime.
The six-episode series follows the life of the notorious gangster and criminal visionary, Radovan “Jakov” Jakovic (Peshang Rad, Bäckström, Jana – Marked for Life, Before We Die, Gåsmamman), chronicling his journey from poverty to wealth. Against Jakov is police officer Gunn Thörngren (Katia Winter, The Boys, Granite Harbour, Sleepy Hollow, Dexter), the lone cop who sees the looming Mafia menace, hidden in the shadow of cigarette smuggling.
As the story begins, both Gunn and Jakov are underdogs, forced to play a daring game to circumvent their superiors. It’s not long before they develop a connection with each other. Each is convinced they are using the other for their own benefit, but their relationship will have devastating consequences for both of them.
Costars include Jens Hultén (Conspiracy of Silence), Helena Af Sandeberg (Quicksand), Linus Wahlgren (Crimes of Passion), Cedomir Djordjevic (Before We Die), and Dragomir Mrsic (Alex), amongst others.
Mafia premieres in the US on Thursday, June 19, with new episodes dropping on Thursdays through July 24.
Johanna Möller: Sweden’s Most Hated Woman (Johanna Möller – Sveriges mest hatade kvinna) (Sweden)
This three-episode true-crime docuseries sees imprisoned criminal Johanna Möller speak out for the first time about her conviction in the murder of her father and attempted murder of her mother. With the help of experts, the series digs deep into the “Sommarstugemordet” (“The Summer Cottage Murder”) case and investigates the truth behind one of Sweden’s most notorious killers — putting a spotlight on the judicial system in deciding who is guilty and who’s not.
Johanna Möller: Sweden’s Most Hated Woman, a Viaplay Original series, premieres Thursday, July 10.
In the Name of Love (I kjærlighetens navn) (Norway)
This eight-episode half-hour comedy-drama series tells the story about a family who made their fortune from porn while living in the conservative Norway of the 1970s. In present-day Norway, one of the sons, Balder, and his wife welcome their entire family to their daughter’s baptism. Well, almost the entire family.
Balder’s father shows up uninvited and the family’s slightly questionable past is brought to light. Balder’s mother did everything she could to keep the source of income hidden while his father saw eroticism as political rebellion against the morality police. Will Balder’s wife still love him when she finds out about the unsavory family secret?
Based on the real and untold story of series creator and director Bård Breien’s (The Art of Negative Thinking) own life, this is a story of opposites attracting and colliding, of freedom and decency, and of family conflict and resolution.
The cast is headlined by Maria Bonnevie (Exit, Another Round), Trond Espen Seim (Varg Veum, The Legacy), Jakob Oftebro (Agent Hamilton, Below the Surface), Jonas Oftebro (Ragnarok, The Trip), and Ingrid Gaever (The Architect, Headhunters).
In the Name of Love, a Viaplay Original series, premieres with two episodes on Thursday, August 21. New episodes will drop in pairs each week through September 11.
All three titles will premieres in the US exclusively on Viaplay on Prime Channels and other Viaplay partner channels.
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