SVT to Adapt The Scarab Flies at Dusk

A screen adaptation of The Scarab Flies at Dusk, originally created by Maria Gripe and Kay Pollak (As It Is in Heaven), has been commissioned by Sweden’s SVT.

Set in a small Swedish town during the summer of 1976, The Scarab Flies at Dusk follows three children who are drawn into a mystery involving a cursed Egyptian statue. The drama will be produced by Nordic Drama Queens, a Fifth Season-backed company, and is set to be broadcast by SVT and SVT Play in 2025.

The cast for the family adventure series will include Tomas von Brömssen (Albert & Herbert, My Life as a Dog), Pernilla August (The Best Intentions, Blackwater) Dag Malmberg (The Bridge) and Lena Endre (Kingsman: The Golden Circle, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo).

The script for the adaptation is written by Ditta Bongenhielm (Bonus Family, Höök) and Lovisa Milles (Jordskott, The Restaurant)

Helen Ahlsson, producer at Nordic Drama Queens, said: “Our ambition with The Scarab Flies at Dusk is to transform this beloved classic into a modern and top-class drama that will bring the whole family together for an emotional ride. We have a remarkable and deeply passionate team on board, both behind and in front of the camera, and we can’t wait to collaborate with them to bring this uplifting and hopeful summer adventure to life for the screen. At the heart of the series will be the theme that everything we do matters and that everything is connected—including humans, nature and ecology—and we hope this message will resonate with audiences worldwide during these challenging times.”

Atle Knudsen, director, commented: “The Scarab Flies at Dusk has occupied me since I was 10 years old and listened to the radio serial while we were driving through Sweden during our summer vacation. It had its own atmosphere, and there’s something timeless and deeply Nordic about the story. Finally, we are going to turn this amazing story into a grand series for the whole family.”

Anna Croneman, head of drama at SVT, added: “We are thrilled to ‘press the button’ for The Scarab Flies at Dusk and look forward to introducing this classic to a new generation. The project has attracted an exceptional cast, including Tomas von Brömssen as Priest Lindroth, making us confident in the project’s high quality.”