Netflix to Introduce Young Wallander

Netflix has added to its slate of originals a new series based on Henning Mankell’s best-selling Kurt Wallander novels.

Set in contemporary Sweden, Young Wallander sees the iconic detective investigate his first case. The story focuses on the formative experiences, both professional and personal, faced by Wallander as a recently graduated police officer in his early 20s.

The English-language drama is told over six serialized episodes with both British and Swedish cast. Yellow Bird UK is producing.

Erik Barmack, VP, head of international originals at Netflix, said, “The Wallander novels have sold 40 million copies and been translated into over 40 different languages, while still being true and authentic to the Swedish noir that Mankell helped create. And the series created by Yellow Bird have also been fantastic global and local successes. Netflix is thrilled to continue this tradition and add new layers to the fantastic legacies that Mankell and Yellow Bird have created.”

Berna Levin, creative director of Yellowbird UK, said, “Henning Mankell’s beloved detective Kurt Wallander has a special place in our hearts as his eponymous series was the first Yellow Bird ever produced. So, it is with tremendous joy and pride that we embark on this new journey together with Netflix as our first production through Yellow Bird UK. Getting to meet Wallander as a young man and explore how the times and his new experiences will shape him to eventually become the man we already know and love is a thrilling opportunity. We are confident he will captivate new audiences and delight longstanding fans once again with his sharp intelligence, youthful enthusiasm, and unmistakable humanity.”

Netflix also revealed a new original French series. Set in 1787 France, the story follows as Joseph Guillotin—the future inventor of the Guillotine—uncovers an unknown virus: the Blue Blood. The disease quickly spreads amongst the French aristocracy, driving them to murder ordinary people and soon leads to a rebellion. It proposes the idea of, What if the French Revolution didn’t happen the way we were told?

Created by Aurélien Molas and written by Molas and Gaia Guasti, the 8×50-minute series is from John Doe Productions for Netflix.

“When we discussed the idea of revisiting France’s history through an epic and truly breathtaking series, the first question we had to ask ourselves was: who would support us? Short answer: only Netflix for such a Revolution!” said Molas and François Lardenois, creator and producers of the series.

“Aurélien Molas is a very talented and innovative creator whom we are thrilled to be working with on our next French original series,” said Barmack. “We are excited to be able to bring to a French and international audience a series inspired by such a defining moment in history.”