Viaplay Adapting Viveca Sten’s Crime Novels

Viaplay has ordered a six-part adaptation of the hit crime novels The Åre Murders from best-selling Swedish author Viveca Sten.

In the series, Stockholm police officer Hanna Ahlander takes refuge from her personal and professional problems in the northern Swedish village of Åre but is quickly drawn into an investigation when a young woman disappears on St. Lucia’s Day. Sten will serve as executive producer.

The Åre Murders adaptation is being produced by SF Studios in partnership with Viaplay, with Joakim Eliasson (Honour, Gåsmamman) attached as director. It will start filming in spring 2023 and is set to debut in autumn 2024. Scriptwriters are Karin Gidfors (Snabba Cash) and Jimmy Lindgren (Honour). SF Studios’ Brita Lundqvist is serving as producer, and executive producers in addition to Sten are Susann Billberg at SF Studios and Helena Larand at Viaplay Group.

Sten said: “It feels great that this story will now be a series on Viaplay! When I started writing the books in Åre during the coronavirus pandemic, I never imagined they would come to the screen so soon. I hope and believe that The Åre Murders will be just as successful as The Sandhamn Murders, and I’m particularly looking forward to participating as an executive producer.”

Filippa Wallestam, Viaplay Group’s chief content officer, added: “Viveca Sten’s storytelling has proven local and international appeal, and we anticipate a broad audience for this ambitious adaptation. The Åre Murders will deliver idyllic winter locations and ice-cold crime, all through the eyes of engaging characters familiar to Viveca’s millions of readers. High-quality shows such as this set Viaplay apart and underline once again that Nordic noir has a very bright future.”